Learn how to overcome the fear of a blank page during a day of mindful sketch booking exercises. This relaxed one day workshop combines mindfulness practice with drawing instruction.
Participants are invited to explore drawing on location, involving both indoor and outdoor spaces.
A chance to slow down, breathe, and connect with drawing in your own sketchbook. Participants are invited to start this relaxing one-day workshop with a breathing exercise as part of a series of mindful drawing exercises. Throughout the day this practice places an emphasis on being present and aware of your own surroundings whilst drawing.
Starting with a blank page in your sketchbook, a focus will be placed on the exploration of mark making. At first this will involve the illustration of shapes found in the indoor environment that surrounds you, these will be created using pencil.
Following this, participants are asked to draw from a photograph of a location they have previously visited. This can be drawn from a physical or digital photograph. Studying the image, participants are asked to draw the different lines, shapes, patterns, and textures present.
Mark making will involve a variety of mediums including coloured pencils, markers, brush pens, pastels, inks and gouache.
Whilst developing observational drawing skills, participants are asked to concentrate on the process of drawing rather than the outcome.
Subsequently, everyone is encouraged to relocate outdoors with their sketchbooks to explore new ways of seeing and connecting with the process of drawing.
Participants are invited to experience what the physical location can offer in contrast to that of drawing from a photograph.
Provided is a supportive environment that is aimed to stimulate experimentation with materials previously used whilst exploring different responses to the outdoor environment you find yourself within.
Learning Methods
This course will be delivered on campus over 1 days from 10:00 - 16:00.
A sketchbook will be provided for each participant to use however participants are welcome to bring their own sketchbook(s) if they wish to do so. This same approach applies to materials.
Participants are asked to bring a photograph of a location they have previously visited. This can be a physical photograph, or a digital photograph accessed from a personal device.
Participants are asked to prepare for drawing outdoors and are asked to bring a blanket, cushion or camping chair to sit on. Alternatively, a stool or chair can be provided if required.
Participants are encouraged to bring sunscreen to protect themselves from sunburn.
Participants are also encouraged to bring a jacket to wear in case of rain.
Activity Summary
- Minimum of 8 students, maximum of 12 in the group
- 5 hours of teaching in total over 1 day, 10:00 - 16:00 with a 60 minute lunch break from 12:30 - 13:30. Please bring your own lunch, tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.
Assessment
This course is not formally assessed.
Staff Delivering on this Course
Sedem Demir
Sedem Demir has a background in psychology and uses sketchbooks as a safe space to document her creative practice. Throughout the pandemic Sedem Demir considered sketch booking a helpful tool for maintaining mental health and wellbeing. Though starting a blank page can be daunting the artist views her sketchbook as a safe space to experiment with mark making. The artist identifies drawing on location as a challenge to step out of one’s comfort zone whilst carrying out the action of something within her own comfort zone. Sedem Illustrates shares the process behind each sketchbook page via her patreon page, sharing her approach to images and the materials used.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course.
This workshop is suitable for beginners - intermediate level.
Required Age
All students are required to be at least 16 years of age on the commencement of the course.
For Academic Year 2022/2023
Course fee: £120 per person
The fee is to be paid as part of sign up process and prior to workshop date.
After completing the registration form, you will be directed to the payment page. Your place on the course is not confirmed until payment has been received. If you have any difficulties locating the payment link or if you have registered for this course but have not completed the payment form, please contact us for a direct link to pay which will bypass registration.
Additional Costs
Essential core materials are provided.
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided, however participants should bring their own lunch as most catering outlets on campus are closed during the weekend.
The following course-related costs are not included in the course fees:
Course Cancellation
If minimum participant numbers for this course are not met, the course will be cancelled and participants will receive a full refund.
Disclaimer
For new intakes course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in advance. For further information see:
Any questions?
Get in touch with the Engage Team and we'll do our best to help.