Drawing the soul of Czech architecture, one sketchbook at a time
Czech Sketch Journal is a personal blog born from a deep appreciation for the architectural beauty of the Czech Republic and the meditative practice of drawing on location. What started as a collection of quick pen sketches made during walks through Prague has grown into a dedicated resource for urban sketchers, travel artists, and anyone curious about seeing Czech cities through the eyes of an artist.
The blog began in 2023, during a year spent living in Prague. Armed with a pocket-sized Moleskine sketchbook and a handful of watercolor pans, the routine was simple: wake up early, pick a neighborhood, and spend the morning drawing whatever caught the eye. Over the course of twelve months, those casual morning sessions produced hundreds of sketches spanning every district of Prague, plus weekend trips to towns like Cesky Krumlov, Kutna Hora, Olomouc, and Telc.
Friends and fellow artists started asking for recommendations about where to sketch in the Czech Republic, what materials worked best on location, and how to handle the practical challenges of drawing in public spaces. Czech Sketch Journal was created to answer those questions in one place.
The blog focuses on three main areas:
Urban sketching is not about creating perfect illustrations. It is about recording what you see and experience in a place at a specific moment in time. Every sketch in this blog was made on location, usually in a single sitting of one to two hours. Some turned out well, others less so. That honesty is part of what makes location drawing valuable. A sketch captures not just the subject but the weather, the noise, the discomfort of sitting on a cold stone wall, and the satisfaction of finishing before the rain arrives.
The articles on this site aim to be genuinely useful. Rather than generic "top 10" listicles, each guide is based on repeated visits to the locations described, with attention to practical details like where to find shade, which cafes tolerate lingering artists, and how the light changes throughout the day.
We are proud supporters of the global Urban Sketchers movement and regularly participate in sketch walks organized by Urban Sketchers Prague. If you are visiting the Czech Republic and want to join a group sketching session, check their events calendar for upcoming walks.
Whether you have a question about a specific sketching location, want to suggest a topic for a future article, or simply want to share your own Czech sketches, we would love to hear from you. Visit our contact page for details on how to reach us.
Last updated: February 2026
