We all dream of creating incredible artwork, landscapes whose compositions catch the eye, paint believable atmosphere, and create environments that are born in the field. While growth happens with a brush and paint, it first happens in the sketchbook, in quick compositional studies, in limited value Notans, and in the pages nobody ever posts online. Before you can make a symphony of nature’s chaos, you need to compose. And before you can fix your mistakes, you first need to be able to see them. That’s where sketching in the field comes in.
In this class we combine two of the very best things in life; being out in nature and sketching. For one day on September 9th, we’ll meet at 8:30 am at TBD and go to a beautiful location around Santa Fe. I’ll start the day with a short talk about what our aim is for the day, then a demo where I show and explain how to distill a complicated scene into simple steps that increases your control over what you’re trying to convey. Once you know how it’s done, it’s your turn to find a shady spot and try for yourself. If you want to learn to draw, already love to draw, or used to draw but have been away from it for a while, this is your chance to give yourself the gift of creating memories in one of the most beautiful places in the world. The class size will be kept small, so you’ll have plenty of personal instruction and I can answer any questions you’ll have. We’ve kept the price low to encourage anyone who wants to participate. Sketching on location changed my life when I was 13, and has made a huge difference in my life and art. It can do the same for you!
Supply List for Steve Atkinson’s Outdoor Sketching Workshop
• Sketch Pad: Small, smooth paper sketchbook, between 8X5” (my preference) and 9X12”. It’s important to fit well in your hand and lap and that you will be able to hold it for 15-30 minutes comfortably. My favorite surface to do these marker sketches on is Strathmore Bristol paper. The smooth surface takes the pen ink well. It also is good for the grayscale markers. Generally, I like to cut my Bristol papers to the size I want to use that day and tape/clamp it to the lapboard. You are welcome to use a sketchbook that you’re comfortable with, but know that when using markers, they will bleed through regular weight sketchbook paper. So, I’d recommend a thick paper sketchbook such as Stillman and Birn “Zeta”, “Beta”, or a Fabriano “Venezia”. These are just a few sketchbooks; many more will work.
• Lap Board: 9X12” or 11X14”: a 1/8” thick Masonite sheet cut to size, lightly sand the edges smooth, or cover the edges with gaffers tape.
• Painters Tape Roll, or Small Clamps to secure your paper/sketchbook to the lapboard.
• Wood pencils: All you need is a #2 pencil, or a blue col-erase pencil, or a mechanical pencil if you prefer (so that you don’t need to carry a sharpener)
• Pencil Sharpener (optional): Handheld small sharpener with an attached container to hold the shavings.
• Waterproof pens: I like black Micron pens 0.5 or 0.8. My other favorite waterproof pens are the Uniball “Eye” micro (UB-150), which are both waterproof and fade proof. These will allow you to work over your inked lines in marker or watercolor if you like.
• Markers: Alcohol markers are the most popular kind being used today, though, any brand of grayscale marker set can work. Some brands that I like are Copic Sketch Marker Set (set of 6 grays), Blick Studio Brush Markers (set of 6 grays). I don’t recommend the Tombow Dual Brush Pen Grayscale 10 pack (because the set has both warm and cool grays mixed, these different temperatures don’t play well together, but they will do if you already have them). Same problem with the Hobby Lobby “Master’s Touch” set. Just make sure whichever markers you choose are fresh and not dried out. There’s nothing worse than reaching for a dried-out marker!
• White Posca Marker: size PC-3M (0.9-1.3mm) for adding white lines and cleaning up sketch.
• Sling bag or Small Backpack: to carry your supplies
• Small portable chair: such as a camp chair. I use the Walk stool, but anything like this is a good choice. Just make sure it’s lightweight and will hold your weight comfortably. You’ll appreciate not having to sit on a rock or the ground.
• Erasers: kneaded and white plastic/vinyl (Staedtler)… pink pearl erasers are fine too.
• Misc Supplies: Sunscreen, plenty of water, a hat with a generous brim and chin strap (ball caps are not the best for this but are better than nothing), plastic grocery bag for trash, snacks and lunch. Camera (with a viewing screen), or your smart phone.
Optional:
• Small straight edge (optional): For drawing straight lines, I carry a 6-8” transparent plastic triangle for this, but I’ve used the side of my phone for this too. It helps, depending on how finished I want my sketch to be, and the border lines.
• Handi Wipes: I keep a couple of individual packs of these to clean up my hands when done, or before eating lunch. You’ll appreciate having them if you need them. These also work great when you’re out oil painting.
• Walking Poles if need extra help to feel stable while hiking to our spot.
