Urban Sketching Online Workshop
Alphonso Dunn's Urban Sketching Essentials Online Workshop kicked off on May 6!
Alphonso put this 4-part workshop together for us to demonstrate his best tips and techniques for drawing on-location and capturing the world around you.
You can watch the video lessons here. The supply list is available on the workshop site so you can get all the materials needed to follow along.
SUPPLY LIST
Paper
A number of recommended paper types will work well for this workshop depending on whether or not you plan to add watercolor to your pen & ink sketches:
- Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Smooth (for pen & ink work only) OR
- Strathmore 500 Series Bristol Plate - more expensive, 100% cotton (for pen & ink work only)
- Strathmore 300 Series Watercolor Paper, 140lb / 300gsm (for adding watercolor to your pen & ink work)
- Strathmore Watercolor Travel Series Journals (optional, but great sizes and formats for Urban Sketching with watercolor)
- Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media Paper, 184lb / 300gsm) (for adding watercolor to your pen & ink work)
Pencils
- Lyra Graphite Pencils (H, HB, or B)
Eraser
Pens
- Sakura Pigma Micron 005 & 03
Watercolor
- Daler-Rowney Aquafine, 24 color travel set (or something to give you a range of standard colors + a few earth tones)
CLASS LINEUP
► Lesson 1, May 6: Introduction and Basics
- Review common materials and supplies.
- Explore fundamental drawing mechanics and techniques.
- Explore useful drawing techniques that help to remove the intimidation associated with direct ink drawing and enable us to handle the medium with confidence.
- Learn simple tips on color mixing and basic color theory, and creating your own basic watercolor palette.
► Lesson 2, May 13: Approaching the Scene
- Learn simple ways to simplify the world around you, while still capturing what you see and creatively expressing yourself.
- Breakdown scenes to simple flat shapes, as a way of reducing the busyness of scenes and making the composition of your drawings much easier.
- Explore a variety of ways to crop the scene and frame your drawing.
- Review some linear perspective basics that can be useful in urban sketching.
- Review the invaluable practice of thumbnail sketching.
► Lesson 3, May 20: Directing the Viewer
- Utilize emphasis techniques to direct the viewer’s attention.
- Explore ways of using contrast to create visual interest.
- Learn useful tips on drawing specific subjects such as, trees, buildings, vehicles, people, etc.
► Lesson 4, May 20: Demo & Practice
- • Discussion and step-by-step walk-through of the process in creating a sketch applying what we learned.
We hope you enjoy learning with us and we can't wait to see what you make!
