I was so looking forward to conducting my Paris: Je ne sais quoi? workshop on September 5-6, 2020.
Unfortunately, as this coronavirus crisis continues, I feel that it is safer to cancel the workshop until further notice, and refund everyone’s tuition.
It has become very apparent that the world will not be fully opened up by the first weekend in September. And with public discussion of a possible second wave hitting us this fall, I don’t want to take the risk of putting anyone’s health in jeopardy. I will try to hold the workshop some time in the future, when the world is open and safe for travel again.
Stay safe sketchers.
Best, Veronica
Paris: je ne sais quoi: Capturing the Essence of Paris Through Reportage and Mixed Media, a workshop with Veronica Lawlor, March 21-22, September 5-6, 2020. This workshop got cancelled in light of COVID-19.
Paris means beautiful architecture, delicious food, and fine wine: a lifestyle in which art and enjoyment are as essential to life as breathing. How can an urban sketcher capture such a city, in all of its character and expression?
We will look not to the monuments of Paris, but to the moments of Paris, to find that je ne sais quoi that makes the city so well-loved. Finding example in the great artists of French history, and working with mixed media, picture design, and gesture of people, you will discover how to capture those ephemeral qualities of Paris through your own unique way of drawing.
Topics covered will include:
How to capture a small situation within a larger context
Storytelling through gesture and expression of people
How to express the feeling of a place through line, mark, texture and color
How to create a reportage through intense observation, evocative expression and picture sequence
To observe, to draw, and to enjoy – is this not the French way?
Learning goals
- Learn to embrace the overall environment of an urban setting and find your focus
- Learn to be more decisive on location
- Document the sensations of Paris; working with mixed media to create evocative line, mood and texture in your drawings.
- Learn to make an organic picture of people interacting in an environment
- Find the story that speaks to you!
Workshop location
We will work at and around Les Halles, in the center of Paris. (Exact meeting spot to be announced, dependent on weather.)
Dates and schedule
March 21 – 22, September 5-6, 2020
Saturday 10 am – 4 pm, with a 1 1/2 lunch break.
Sunday 10 am – 5 pm, with a 1 1/2 lunch break.
Optional Bonus night sketch on Saturday evening from 7 – 9:30 pm.
Saturday, Day One
Les Halles, Paris
(exact location TBA)
- 10 am – 12:30
Thumbnails and picture-making.
Take a walk and draw, to cover your story through point of view
and design of people in their environment.
- 12:30 – 2
Lunch on your own
- 2pm – 4pm
Capturing Mood and Emotion with marks and mixed media
Your choices make meaning!
- 4pm – 7pm
Dinner on your own
- 7pm – 9:30
Optional: Paris by Night
Café Location TBA
Use mixed media to capture the essence of people
watching and the Parisian café nightlife.
(Cost of food and drink not included in tuition.)
Sunday, Day Two
Les Halles, Paris
- 10 am – 12:30
Gesture, movement, expression of people.
Following through on your work from Saturday
The nuance of the story.
- 12:30 – 2
Lunch on your own
- 2pm – 4pm
Putting it together: what is the story and how do you tell it?
A sequential reportage of the location.
- 4pm – 5pm
Closing critique: Review and discussion of lessons learned.
Supply list
- 8”x 10” sketchbook, paper that can handle wet or dry media
- 1 Fountain pen or marker
- Soft graphite pencils: 3B and 4B plus small sharpener
- Portable brush pen and water pen
- Small watercolour pan set
- 6-8 colored pencils (Prismacolor is a nice soft brand)
- Small plastic container for water
Registration fee :
250 EURO ( ~275 USD)
Registration form HERE.
Please note: cancellations will be granted a full refund until March 1, 2020, less PayPal fees.
From March 2 – March 10, a 50% refund will be granted. No refunds will be granted after that.
Thank you for your understanding.
Maximum number of participants: 18 participants, all levels welcome
Minimum number of participants: 8 participants
Workshop will be conducted in English.
