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Phew, it's August and the heat goes on! When you can bear getting outdoors to sketch, I have another brilliant 'Top Tip' for you this month - so many of my workshop students are thanking me for introducing them to this 'hack' which helps them grasp perspective.
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Grab a £10 discount off the September Workshop - newsletter subscribers offer only!
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PLUS, you might be interested to know that my wife Jackie, who is an incredibly talented silver jewellery maker, now has her summer 'Shells & Initials' collection available - read on for details.
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Reminder, if you are looking for a regular, affordable and indoor sketching class during the autumn and winter, see the base of this email and please express your interest if might suit you… absolutely no commitment.
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This month's Top Tip
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Elastic perspective!
Perplexed by perspective? This handy hack will help you grasp it. When drawing from life, it's not uncommon to struggle with even 'seeing' perspective, let alone getting it down on paper. Through coaching students in the field, I have acquired a number of methods to help demonstrate this knotty problem. An extremely popular one is my 'elastic perspective' hack - making getting the hang of basic perspective, almost foolproof! One student commented, "It's like stabilisers on a bike - once you've got it, you can take them off!"
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You just need two drawing pins, a piece of elastic and your drawing board (or even the back of your sketchbook). I've tried to keep this overview and explanation as simple as possible, but I am very happy to talk this through with anybody, should you wish. This is relevant to the most common form of 'two point perspective'.
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1) In 'two point' perspective, the vertical lines of a building are treated as vertical.
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2) It's the horizontal lines, (or planes), which disappear in perspective.
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3) The horizontal lines on the front plane of an object or building all disappear to one, shared vanishing point.
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4) As do the horizontal lines on the side plane of a building, which all disappear to the other, shared vanishing point.
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5) All horizontal lines, on each plane - whether above or below your eye level - will always converge at the same point on the horizon - their vanishing point.
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6) However, when you're standing before a building that you're about to sketch, it can be very difficult to see which angle all the horizontal lines disappear away from you in perspective.
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SO, I suggest you imagine a rope being tied to the actual vanishing point (probably a few hundred metres away in the next street or field) and it being pulled out taught, to align with the various horizontal lines of the building - from the ridge on the roof, the gutter line, the tops of the windows, the window cills, and down to the doorstep and ground. The rope would radiate from the vanishing point and down through all the points mentioned.
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7) My shortcut hack to put this into action on your sketch, is to use the strip of elastic tied to the two drawing pins, which acts as the rope tied to the vanishing points.
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8) Using the elastic as a guide, place your pencil or finger into the elastic and raise or lower it, moving left or right - and drawing your pencil or pen lines where required. This will ensure all your lines are absolutely going in the correct direction to achieve a convincing perspective.
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9) Before long, the skill of 'seeing' perspective and knowing where lines should 'disappear' to becomes second nature and suddenly you are a perspective wizard!
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NB: Remember, the vanishing points are always on your eye level - which is also the horizon.
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I promise you, it's easier than I've made it sound! Contact me if you'd like me to explain more - and I also aim to put an illustrated post on my website and YouTube channel.
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Kit recommendation
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Caran d’Ache Pastel Pencils are fabulous to use! I have tried a number of different manufacturers, but I find these most to my liking. Being so heavily loaded with top quality pigment, they apply a sumptuous line of colour to any drawing media surface and are so opaque they will easily cover previously applied areas of colour and mixed media. They feel so luscious to use and bring great satisfaction to drawing. A range of curated sets in nice tin boxes is available, but I prefer to choose individual pencils and build my own collection to suit the type of work I aim to produce. I can thoroughly recommend Overbury's Fine Arts Supplies in Westbourne Arcade - and not just because the shop might offer a discretionary 10% discount to my students! He will gladly guide you on the choice of any art materials. Incidentally, Richard is a fantastic coloured pencil artist himself, ask to see his latest work.
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Next bookable workshop
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Based at the wonderful Forge at the Libertine, Westbourne.
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Unlike my ‘sketch walks’ this workshop will be centred more upon our indoor base at the rustic Forge – offering a warm and cosy space. We will of course venture out into town a few times to put our skills into practice. We'll aim to capture the beautiful victorian arcade and grand buildings of Westbourne - as well as fascinating little details such as ornate lamps and elaborate windows. As usual, this will be a small, friendly group with basic materials supplied and full coaching, suiting all abilities from beginner to seasoned sketcher. Previous students will be fast-tracked to help avoid any repetition and to suit their own needs. So why not join me and I will show you how to start learning or improving this affordable & portable art hobby – which can easily be taken anywhere and enjoyed for a lifetime.
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Grab £10 off this workshop - only offered to my newsletter subscribers. Simply use this coupon code at the checkout. £10offWestbourneSEPT26
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PS: The August Pamphill workshop is fully booked, so act quickly if you fancy Westbourne.
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Artisan jewellery - made by my wife, Jackie
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Created in our Bournemouth studio, every single piece is a unique creation – no two items are ever identical! Handcrafting pendants, earrings, bracelets, necklaces and brooches, Jackie works mainly in silver, but also copper and paper. She likes to incorporate semi-precious stones, leather and found materials such as sea glass.
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August is 'Shells & Initials' month!
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Typical prices range from around £20 - £80, and this new summer collection is now available from stock and will be supplied in quality gift boxes. See more pieces in the website gallery.
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For more details, photos and availability, Jackie welcomes email enquiries by clicking here.
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Winter Sketching
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If you would like to join me for regular sketching sessions (or a one-off) during the autumn and winter months, I will be offering an indoor workshop to practice drawing skills and explore materials - in the warm and dry! Please email to let me know if you'd like to express an interest in this.
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