Ugly Sketch Walk. Chiaroscuro

Welcome to Ugly Sketch Walk, a monthly creative walk around Rome where we use sketching as a way to slow down, notice more, and experience the city differently.

We’ll look a little longer, try something new, and spend a couple of hours with curious people in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Beginners are welcome. Just bring your sketchbook and your curiosity.

Why “Ugly”?
I called it Ugly Sketch Walk because I spent years believing I needed to draw well before I could enjoy drawing. Then I gave myself permission to make terrible sketches. Ironically, that’s when drawing became fun again.
So our goal is to make wonderfully imperfect sketches. Keep yours to yourself or share them with the group if you feel like it.

This Month’s Theme · Chiaroscuro
Chiaroscuro is an Italian word that means light and dark. In painting, it’s the use of light and shadow to give figures and objects a sense of volume. Michelangelo Merisi, better known as Caravaggio, took those contrasts to dramatic extremes.

Caravaggio was a superstar of his time, and he’s still one of the biggest names in art today. Rome is one of the best places to discover why.
He painted biblical scenes that felt surprisingly close to real life. His saints have dirty feet and tired faces. People flinch, turn away, or reach out to one another. You can almost feel the weight of their bodies.
And then there was the light.

A bright face or an outstretched hand can pull your eye across an entire painting. That’s what we’ll play with in our sketches this month. Where do you want someone to look first?

Our Route
We’ll meet by the Fountain of Neptune at the north end of Piazza Navona. We’ll start with a short introduction and a small creative challenge, then walk a few minutes to our first church.

At San Luigi dei Francesi, we’ll see three paintings in the Contarelli Chapel — The Calling of St Matthew, The Inspiration of St Matthew, and The Martyrdom of St Matthew. In the first painting, try following the beam of light across the room. Whose face do you land on?

From there, we’ll walk to Sant’Agostino to see Madonna di Loreto, also known as Madonna of the Pilgrims. Look for the pilgrims’ dusty bare feet in the foreground. That ordinary detail caused quite a stir at the time.

We’ll see four original Caravaggio paintings in two churches, both free to enter. I’ll share a short story before each visit, then we’ll take time to look quietly inside and sketch outdoors.

Creative Challenge
Every walk begins with a small creative challenge inspired by the theme of the month. I’ll keep this one a surprise until we meet.

How the Walk Works
I’ll be your creative companion for the afternoon. I’ll share a few stories, give you something to look for, and offer ideas if you’re feeling stuck. You can draw at your own pace and use your sketchbook to notice details you might usually walk past.

Who Is This For?
Come along if you’ve always wanted to sketch but never knew where to begin, if you think you “can’t draw,” or if you have a sketchbook you’re still afraid to open. It’s also for anyone who loves wandering through Rome and wants to spend an afternoon with curious, creative people.
If you already draw every day, you’re just as welcome.

What to Bring
A small sketchbook that’s comfortable to hold while standing works best. Bring whatever you like to draw with — pencils, pens, markers, fineliners, coloured pencils, or pastels.
For this month’s theme, charcoal or black-and-white pastels could be fun to try. A regular pencil works just fine. If you have a couple of €1 or €2 coins, bring them along for the chapel lighting.
Both churches are active places of worship, so we’ll keep our voices down inside.

After the Walk
As always, you’re welcome to join me for an aperitivo at a local spot nearby. Stay for a drink, stay for dinner, or head home with your sketchbook. Entirely up to you.

Practical Information

• Meeting point — Fountain of Neptune (Fontana del Nettuno), north end of Piazza Navona
• Duration — Around 2.5 hours
• Group size — 5–10 people
• Price — €15, payable in cash at the beginning of the walk

See you soon. Bring your sketchbook. Leave your inner critic at home.