On Saturday I held a morning and afternoon “Travel Sketching with Watercolour Pencil” class. Both were fun and filled with people interested in watercolour pencils and travel sketching. These are my great loves, and I am always happy to share my passion and knowledge.
They were two very different classes as we had pouring rain all morning and clearing weather in the afternoon. It was a perfect example of travel sketching, and how you have to be flexible in your plans and make the most of opportunities presented.
People can bring their own sketchkit or purchase one from me. My two hour class involves explaining watercolour pencils, watercolour sketchbooks, ink pen (waterproof) and waterbrush. Then playing with colour on the page getting an idea of what you can do with colour on the page. And then we go out and sketch !
morning class
The rain started at 9.30 and lasted all morning, It was obvious that we were not going out on an “inspirational walk around East Melbourne”, and instead stayed in Library, where the class is based. The class of eight broke into two groups, sketching the views looking out front and back. They had 15 minutes in each spot before changing. 15 minutes is a good amount of time, as it is enough time to get some marks on the page. It is also the sort of time frame you may have when travelling.
We then went back into the class room and I asked them to spend the final 15 minutes drawing their shoes! It was an unexpected subject for everyone, after drawing a scene and vistas. Shoes are an example of how sketching the everyday can be included as part of the narrative in travel sketching AND there is never ‘nothing to draw’. When travelling your shoes are part of your travels and become much loved or despised objects.
afternoon class
The weather improved in the afternoon. although we were prepared to run back to the Library if it changed again. We were able to walk around a few blocks in East Melbourne, once again stopping for 15 minutes in each place. It is amazing how much you can get down on the page in 15 minutes, and also how quickly the time flies by.
a 10 minute sketch – emphasizing the sky
This is our final stop, next to Holy Trinity Church and opposite the Fitzroy Gardens. looking towards Melbourne CBD.
I think that I have quite a few inspired and motivated people, who know know more about watercolour pencils and are planning to go out and sketch!
If you would like to join in a class, I have a few coming up and am currently planning a new calendar of classes . There are a few places on Saturday 16 March class. Book on TRybooking
I am also excited to be holding a series of three watercolour pencil classes at the beautiful and historic Dromkeen homestead, just outside of Melbourne: Travel Sketching, Nature sketching and Food and Drink sketching. See details and book at Trybooking.
This sounds like so much fun! I hope you’ll teach at the Symposium one day so that I’ll be able to take it! 🙂
– Tina
Thanks Tina ! I would love to sketch with you one day. I wonder where the next Urban Sketchers Symposium will be after Amsterdam? I can’t envisage that would be teaching there, but a catch up would be great fun !
Amazing class Alissa. It was a great experience. Thankyou so much for the opportunity.
I am SO happy that you enjoyed the class ! Please keep sketching . I hope to see you at another class in the future.
Thankyou Alissa for a wonderful class 9th February. So enjoyed the seeing what watercolour pencils can produce. Have used them before but they had been on hold for sometime. Fifteen minute sketches were great, no time to dilly dally just get it down. Loved you and Erin doing workshops the same weekend.
Thanks Janice. It was lovely to meet you and so happy that you rediscovered watercolour pencils. You certainly had a full weekend of art , and hopefully walked away inspired !