Urban Sketching

This one-day workshop introduces the practice of urban sketching: drawing directly from observation to record places, spaces.
About this Event

This one-day workshop introduces the practice of urban sketching: drawing directly from observation to record places, spaces and the everyday life of the city. The focus is on sketching as a way of quickly gathering visual information, exploring ideas and developing confidence in working in a sketchbook.

The day will begin indoors at the Mary Ward Centre, where we will look at examples of artists’ sketchbooks and discuss different approaches to sketching on location. There will be a short introduction to materials and methods, and some initial exercises to help you start using your sketchbook in a relaxed and exploratory way.

We will then spend most of the day sketching in the local area around Stratford, which offers a wide range of subjects including the Olympic Park, the urban environment of the town centre, and the riverside landscape along the River Lea. The emphasis will be on observational sketching – recording architecture, spaces, people and atmosphere through quick studies and more sustained sketches.

Teaching will be informal and supportive, with demonstrations, one-to-one guidance and discussion throughout the day. While the emphasis will be on line and tonal sketching, participants will be encouraged to find approaches that suit their own way of working.

No previous experience is necessary, and the workshop is suitable both for complete beginners and for those who would like to develop a more regular sketchbook practice.

If the weather is unsuitable for working outdoors, alternative indoor locations will be used so that the focus on drawing from observation can continue.

Materials
Please bring an A4 sketchbook, a selection of pencils, a fineliner or drawing pen, eraser and pencil sharpener. You are welcome to bring any other drawing materials you enjoy using.