NEXT WORKSHOP: Wednesday 25th June 2025 – Westbourne
Join Dorset artist, Shaun Forward to start learning Sketching and the global hobby of Urban Sketching – as an absolute beginner. Our workshop will be based will within a private area of a coffee lounge or pub – as detailed in the specific event details for each workshop.
Limited to a maximum of 5 places, members of this friendly, small group will gain a basic insight to the various methods and typical materials used for sketching, an introduction to sketchbook types and tutored on various popular sketching techniques and principles. We will also occasionally venture out into the town to try out these materials and skills. Returning to base for appraisals and refreshments. Participants will also gain an awareness of the exciting global movement of Urban Sketchers.
The ‘beginners’ workshop format
During our six-hour workshop (10:00am – 4:00pm) we will gather initially in a hired function space within a town coffee lounge or pub -where coffee, cakes, lunch snacks and drinks may be purchased and consumed.
The first hour or so will be dedicated to grasping the basics of sketching, handling and experimenting with various materials and sketchbooks – and examining the wide range of sketching styles. I’ll gauge everyone’s ability levels and tailor the workshop to suit both the group as a whole and specifically for each individual – I want participants to feel comfortable wand at ease…
There are a number of topics I will explain, such as; shading, perspective, composition etc and we will spend some time practicing these aspects from prepared exercises, around the workshop table to start gaining an understanding and building up our skills.
Stage two will see ourselves going out into the town to sketch outdoors. Although we might all choose slightly differing locations or viewpoints, I will circulate constantly, to guide and tutor as required. I’d expect us to spend one-to-two hours on this, depending upon the group, weather etc.
Stage three will see us return to our indoor workspace for lunch and having a ‘throwdown’ – where we all lay our sketches together on a table and compare how we all got on. We’ll have a friendly and constructive critique to help us learn from each other, whilst we enjoy a brief social lunch.
Final stage will be a second outdoor sketching session. The aim will be to build upon the achievements of our morning and to focus on where we can improve. This will cover between one-to-two hours and culminate in a second ‘throwdown’ back at our indoor base and critique.
Round up and FAQs will form the final 20 minutes, where I aim to field questions that have arisen through our days’ session, and hopefully offer helpful advice to guide you onwards with your sketching journey. This might result in your wishing to take a progressive workshop with me in the future or simply in the recommendation of various art stores and suitable sketching equipment to suit your particular needs.
We bid each other ‘adieu‘ in the knowledge that we have made some new friends and started out on a new and rewarding artistic journey…
Expect to discover and start learning…
DISCOVER:
• Various styles of sketching…
• Explore numerous techniques
• Having a go at your preferred styles
• A range of different media and mediums
• Create characterful mark-making
• Experiment with papers and surfaces
• Confidence to sketch in open spaces
• Your local Urban Sketching ‘Chapter’
LEARN:
• Types of sketching equipment
• Linework and mark-making
• Observational skills
• Composition
• Perspective
• Scale
• Rendering textures
• Tonal values
Complete details of each workshop including venue location, parking, itinerary, equipment required (if any), etc, will be issued to participants before the workshop date. Please feel free to ask any specific questions in advance – but please see foot of page for an outline of more general information, which answers a number of frequently asked questions.
General outline information
All-abilities welcome. Tutoring matched to each personal level within the group. A positive and friendly attitude is encouraged. Own transport needed to join given location(s). Always sketching outdoors from life, unless very wet, when an indoor public venue will be switched to. Bring own equipment, but occasionally some materials supplied or available to try for experiment with. Basic typical equipment; cartridge or watercolour paper/pad, pencil, eraser, fineliner pen(s) or fountain/ dip pen & ink, watercolours or coloured pencils/pastels, or charcoal. Lightweight carryable seat.
NB: Choice advice on all materials will be given upon booking, as well as in the workshop.
Cancellation: To avoid 50% non-returnable cancellation fee, notice is required at least five days prior to the event day.
A wide choice of refreshments, drinks, cakes, snacks, soft and alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase at our base venue.
There is no on-site parking at the venue – but plenty of car parks in easy walking distance. Venue is also mere minutes away from main bus stops.
All participants are responsible for their own belongings, safety and wellbeing.
