Guided Urban Sketching with Cathy Raingarden

Ever wondered what urban sketching is all about? Come and join Cathy Raingarden’s GUIDED URBAN SKETCHING class for a fun and informative time sketching out in the ARCH neighborhood. Cathy believes that everyone can learn to draw and this class is meant to demystify urban sketching in a friendly setting. She has designed the class in bite-size pieces that allow students to learn at a comfortable pace:

-The class warm-up exercises are designed to connect our eyes to our drawing hand and get rid of any worry.

-She covers basic one and two point perspective, and the use of small thumbnail sketches to figure out a composition that includes the three layers of foreground, midground, and background.

-Cathy will cover the importance of a limited palette, and show the range of colors you can mix.

-She will demonstrate a quick sketch that shows how to pull together the bite–size bits of learning into a final urban sketch.

-Students will have time to complete their own urban sketch onsite.

By warming up and learning in bite-size bits, students will be able to see how an urban sketch is pulled together. The friendly environment encourages questions of all kinds and we have a ‘sketchbook throw down’ of student work at the end, where we can all marvel at how uniquely we each see our environment. 

Students will receive a super handy four page set of urban sketching notes to take home and help them on their urban sketching journey.

In the event of rain, we will strive to find an interesting indoor location.

For outdoor sketching, please bring; Your art materials and a sketchbook, sunhat, sunscreen, water, and a foldable stool.

If you’re new to sketching in a sketchbook, a 5.5x8.5” Stillman & Birn paperbound ‘Beta’ sketchbook is an excellent choice. 

Materials for this class are not provided. Please bring your own sketching kit, or stop in the shop before class to get everything you need. Suggested Materials are listed on the image below and available at ARCH, we'd be happy to help you put together your kit. Students are welcome to bring their own materials.

Students will recieve 15% off art supplies on the day of the class.

About Cathy:

Cathy is an artist who discovered urban sketching when she returned to school for a second degree in landscape architecture. She’s an award winning illustrator for the East Bay foodie magazine, Edible East Bay, and her sketches are featured monthly in the Castro Valley News. She draws wherever she goes, and not only believes that everyone can learn to draw, but that the world is waiting for you to draw your stories.

You can see more of Cathy's work on her website and Instagram.

Transportation

ARCH is easily accessible by public transportation. The 22 Fillmore and 55 Dogpatch both stop two blocks away at 16th and Wisconsin. Public transit is recommended as parking in the area is mostly time restricted and may require you to leave the class to re-park your car. 

Parking

Hourly parking is available surrounding the store and Jackson park. We recommend arriving in the neighborhood early to secure parking. Please look closely at surrounding parking signs to ensure your needed length of parking.

Food and Amenities

Unless your class or instructor notes otherwise, please do not open food and drinks in the store (water bottles are OK), please reach out if you need an exception or accommodation for dietary or medical needs. Food you have brought with you can be eaten on the benches outside the store. There are a number of local cafes and restaurants surrounding the store if you want to visit them during class break - here are some of our recommendations within walking distance:

JBs Place - Fast, casual diner, conveniently located across the street from ARCH.

Magic Donuts - Sourdough donuts and coffee.

Thee Parkside - Drinks and casual eats.

Louie’s Original - Burgers, fries, desserts, and more.

Wolfe’s Lunch - Diner fare and Japanese/Korean dishes.

Connecticut Yankee - Casual food and drinks.

ACCESSIBILITY

ARCH is wheelchair accessible, and has a public restroom. Classes take place in the lower, back part of the store, down an ADA grade ramp. Class set up can restrict space, so please reach out [email protected] if you use a wheelchair or walker, or need any other accessibility accommodation. Our store is kid and pet friendly, but they must be left at home during classes.

Photography Consent Notice

Photography, video, and arts and crafts occur at our store. All present at our classes are subject to photography, video, or artistic depiction. All are subject to ARCH photography being shared in marketing material, on our Instagram, website, etc.

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