Notes from the USk Symposium, Porto

I can't believe it has been a month since the 2018 Urban Sketchers Symposium in Porto, Portugal. It was the first time I have attended a Symposium, but I hope it's not the last. It was amazing to be so immersed in sketching and surrounded so continuously by sketchers! I am posting just a few sketches here, but more are on Instagram. I am Sue.Heston on Instagram.



This is one of the drawings I did in Jose Louro's workshop. I also took a workshop with Joao Catarino, and both of these guys stretched the way I think of urban sketching.



What? A watercolor? Charline Moreau demoed a monochrome watercolor underpainting technique that was all about values!



This was the scene at the Final Sketchcrawl - sketchers as far as the eye could see (over 500!).



And one of my personal favs from an earlier sketchcrawl to wrap up a picture-heavy post.

Paper Makes a Difference

I thought I would post this image as I think it is a good illustration of how the sketchbook - and paper - you choose can effect the images you create. I just finished my last sketchbook, and, while my regular favorites are Stillman & Birn Nova and Alpha, I like to try something new now and then. Since I generally work in just one sketchbook at a time, I usually spend some time choosing each one. I think about the materials I am using and whether I will be traveling with the sketchbook. This time, I pulled out the four blank sketchbooks I had in my stash at the moment, and I decided to test them by sketching the same view of a hollyhock in each, using the same pen, paints and brush. Left to right they are: Leuchtterm1917 Sketchbook (not the notebook!),Stillman & Birn Alpha, Collins & Davison sketchbook, and a Handbook Travelogue Sketchbook.

Both the S&B Alpha and the Handbook Travelogue describe their paper as sized for light washes. The other two do not. And I think that shows in the sketches. The paint sank into the paper of the Leuchtterm and Collins & Davison sketchbooks but sat on the surface (and took much longer to dry!) on the S&B and Handbook. Because of that, the colors are darker and more intense on the S&B and Handbook paper.

In my view, none of these papers is better or worse, just different. I have happily used all of these before, except the Leuchtterm1917, which is new to me. The only issue that I found with any of the papers was some bleed-through on the Leuchtterm1917. But remembering to carry a couple of scrap/blotter pages will take care of that and, considering that the paper isn't recommended for watercolor, it isn't surprising. All of the papers had a bit of buckling, but dried flat with the use of a few clips

I haven't made a decision yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if I went with the Leuchtterm.

A Few Sketches from Mexico

#oneweek100people2018 (my) best of...

Last week was all about sketching people. And, much as I was ready for it to be OVER by Friday, this kind of intense and focused challenge does pay off. By the end of the week, you are observing more and drawing it more easily. So I am sure I will be back for more in 2019. Meanwhile, here are some of the highlights...






On Friday I got to take advantage of an Urban Sketchers outing at Fran's Chocolates in Georgetown, where they are gearing up for Easter. Sketching the chocolate makers at work made a great change. It was fascinating to watch the speed and precision of the truffle maker. And I was amazed when I realized one of the other women was gilding chocolate eggs - dusting it on with what looked like huge cosmetic brushes.

One Week 100 People 2018

It’s that time of year again! Urban sketchers Marc Taro Holmes and Liz Steele are hosting their annual challenge to sketchers to draw 100 people in one week. I did it last year for the first time, and wow! When you focus that hard on your drawing, you will see improvements. I cannot keep up that level of focus throughout the year, so I have been looking forward to this challenge to get me motivated again. I will be posting daily on instagram and will do a roundup here at the end of the week. Meanwhile, how many people will you draw? #OneWeek100People2018

Urban Sketchers Seattle 10x10 classes in 2018

For the second year, USk Seattle is taking part in 10x10, the worldwide initiative to offer educational workshops wherever sketchers live. Launched in celebration of Urban Sketchers’ 10th anniversary in 2017, the program brings a variety of courses on urban sketching techniques taught by talented local instructors in their home cities. All workshops are on Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration begins Sunday, March 4, 2018, 9 a.m. The cost is $60 each. A free Program Kickoff Event will be held March 3, 4:30 p.m., at Daniel Smith’s Seattle store. (Although the kickoff is free, registration is required.) Meet the instructors, see their sketchbooks, and learn about the workshops before registering. The kickoff will be followed by an unhosted, informal “drink & draw” at a nearby location, which will be another opportunity to talk with instructors who attend this optional event. Hope to see you there!

A Little Scattered...

As usual, January was a mixed bag...



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I am still drawing in the Stillman & Birn Nova (tan) book. In fact, I have started my second one. I like the paper a lot. It has a little texture, but is very compatible with fountain pens. The paper is very opaque and most everything I have tried on it works well.