Artist Fills Every Inch of His Sketchbooks to Keep Visual Diary of Life Abroad in Berlin

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Berlin-based English urban sketching artist Keir Edmonds keeps a visual diary that illustrates his life as an expat in Germany’s capital. Believing that “you have to put in 10,000 hours to get really good at something,” the self-confessed “Englishman lost in Berlin” carries a sketchbook and pen everywhere he goes. From local architecture to summertime canals and graffiti-covered streets, his growing portfolio captures the undeniable charm of the city.

Edmonds started keeping sketchbook journals in 2015 with the goal to improve his skills in observational drawing. Today, having filled over 8 sketchbooks, the talented urban sketcher reveals that the process has not only improved his drawing skills, but has also been a journey to discovering more about his own character. With every drawing, Edmonds posts anecdotes on Instagram, describing his day, and the characters he meets while sketching. “The caliber of people you meet when urban sketching in Berlin is often superior to that of any other place I've experienced,” he confesses.

Most recently, the artist has produced a series of painted canvases, illustrating the diverse community and architecture of his “crazy hood,” Kreuzberg. For Edmonds, every sketch can be its own adventure. “When you sit with a sketchbook for long enough on the streets of Berlin, a whole new layer of the city introduces itself to you.”

Find more of Edmond’s urban sketches on Instagram.

Berlin-based English artist Keir Edmonds keeps sketchbook journals that illustrate his life as an expat in Germany’s capital.

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

From local architecture, to summertime canals, and graffiti-covered streets, his growing portfolio captures the undeniable charm of the city.

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Sketchbook Journals Berlin by Keir Edmonds

Keir Edmonds: Instagram | Tumblr

My Modern Met granted permission to use images by Keir Edmonds.

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Emma Taggart

Emma Taggart is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. Originally from Northern Ireland, she is an artist now based in Berlin. After graduating with a BA in Fashion and Textile Design in 2013, Emma decided to combine her love of art with her passion for writing. Emma has contributed to various art and culture publications, with an aim to promote and share the work of inspiring modern creatives. While she writes every day, she’s also devoted to her own creative outlet—Emma hand-draws illustrations and is currently learning 2D animation.
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