Aviation as Sketch Art

Friday, July 01, 2022 at 11:40 AM ET

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“The Museum of Flight's B-17 used to be in storage but would be brought to the lawn in front of the Museum each summer for tours. That is where these were done. It's such an historic aircraft. And I admire so much our museum volunteer, Dick Nelms, who piloted one in combat during World War II. He tells stories about his experiences to visitors.” -- Artist Kate Buike. [Copyright MK Buike 2022. Sketch drawn June 11, 2014]

Key Takeaways:

Kate Buike, a member of Urban Sketchers, specializes in drawing aircraft and spacecraft, a hobby she reignited after retirement.
Her volunteer role at the Museum of Flight grants her unique access to subjects, allowing her to sketch special events and artifacts like the Space Shuttle trainer.
Buike employs a "line-and-wash" technique, using pencils, pens, and watercolors in her sketchbooks, while also adapting to museum-specific rules regarding art materials.
Her extensive collection of thousands of sketches, particularly those related to aviation, not only documents historical moments but also serves as an inspiration for others.

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Photography takes a great deal of skill. Capturing an airplane—or anything else with a pencil and paper takes that skill to a whole new level. But that’s what Kate Buike, a member of Urban Sketchers, does on a regular basis—and aircraft and spacecraft are among her favorite subjects.

Urban Sketchers is a global community of artists who practice drawing specific locations in cities and towns all over the world. The group’s motto is “show the world one drawing at a time”.