Taught by Melanie Thongs

June 22, 29; July 6, 13, 20

Mondays 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Media: Color Pencil, Watercolor Pencil, Watercolors,  Mixed Media

Recommended Paper Types: Drawing, Mixed Media, Hot or Cold Pressed Watercolor

1st Class: at Moscow Contemporary

2nd – 5th Classes: meet on location at UI Arboretum (Barn parking lot), Idler’s Rest, PCEI, and Phillip’s Farm (upper parking lot)

$160 for all 5 classes

Come relax and create in lovely settings with a group of like-minded participants on warm spring and summer evenings! After this class, you’ll be prepared to create your own visual journal of your next trip or vacation!

For the purposes of this class, “sketching” means “to quickly (relatively speaking) capture the essence of the subject on paper, without rendering all of the details or attempting to produce a ‘masterpiece’.” We will typically begin with graphite on paper (drawing, multimedia, or watercolor), then add color pencils, watercolor pencils, or watercolors (or a combination).

While sketching is used by artists during the process of creating completed artworks, it can also be used by anyone to sharpen observational skills and practice representational drawing. Sketching can also be used to capture memories and experience places in a deeper, more engaged way than simply snapping a photo with a cellphone. This class is a low-stress introduction to composing and creating miniature landscapes (largest dimension approximately 4 inches) at local sites. We’ll start with a classroom introduction to some of the basic principles used to draw balanced and pleasing representations of natural spaces; thereafter, we’ll meet on location and spend our time creating multiple miniatures per session. In case of inclement weather, we will meet a day or two later during the same week (Tuesday or Wednesday). Participants will be notified by email if this occurs.