Day Report August 21

by Roger Klaassen

The day started with a breakfast with a view on the USK Board. It all looked pretty serious, so I think they were talking about important issues.

I attended the lecture ‘Sketching in the arctic’ by Elizabeth Alley. She talked about her preparation for a boat trip to Spitzbergen: for instance, she put her drawing tools in her freezer, to see what happens to them. And of course she talked about life on board and the way her art changed while she worked there.

Finally: workshops! I had to report on three workshops today, so I had to draw really quick this morning. My first workshop was ‘Evoking Mood through Colour’ by Shari Blaukopf. I had to start drawing while she explained things about colour choices, palettes and warm and cold colours – my drawing was based on these first instructions.

Stephanie Bower’s ‘Look up’ was up next. I was happy to find the location – Stephanie is not only good in explaining perspective, but also in explaining directions. Anyway, participants had to draw a high tower, using three points perspective. Highly technical, but I think it is good to know these basic drawing rules – even if you decide not to use them.

When I met Rita Sabler’s group, they were just finished with instructions and exercises and were sent out to make their final assignment. Rita explained to me the goals of her workshop ‘Simple sketches, Big stories’ and I tried to make something about her ‘croissant’ assignment. At the throw down, it was immediately clear that I had missed the instructions… but anyway, you get an idea of her workshop.

The Art Market is an artist’s paradise. What can I say about it? There is more to buy than I can afford – the old economic law that governs my life.

Olivia Marcus gave a demo how she captures a crowded scene. I can tell you that she has a different approach to it than you see in my sketch. Just take a look at her drawings online and admire them.

Sketchwalk 2 brought us to green places in Poznań. You see sketchers sitting next to the statue ‘Peacock’, made by Anna Krzymańska (thanks to my fellow correspondent Anna for the information). ‘Green’ was the theme of the Sketchwalk, and green it was.

My last sketch of the day, made at the second stop of the Sketchwalk: a skate park. I love to draw scenes with graffiti, so I forgot all about the ‘green’ theme. Sketching makes you hungry, so I went for dinner with sketch friends. See you tomorrow!