Pocket Sketching

Thursday, October 15, 2015, 10:30 am-3:30 pm

Friday, October 16, 2015, 10:30 am-3:30 pm

For the 3 day workshop:  $150 members/$170 not-yet members
For 1 day:  $70 members/$80 not-yet members

Whether you're a raw beginner or a professional artist, Pocket Sketching is for you. In just three days participants will learn the technique to sketch landscapes, still life, and people.  This is a hands-on workshop where participants begin indoors and work the last day on location.  Exercises are aimed at working quickly and fearlessly.  The class immediately enters advanced watercolor techniques because of the use of the water soluble pen.  Macaulay offers frequent demonstrations and critiques.  Lots of one-on-one support. 

The format is 4 x 6 inches and can go anywhere in a pocket, purse or fanny pack; totally portable and non-obtrusive.   Hiking, kayaking, standing in line, on a horse, journaling through Europe or sketching a 'designer dinner' in a restaurant.

Kath Macaulay has a BS in biology and worked many years in medical research or medical marketing, while painting competitively, until deciding to devote her time to teaching.  Her major art instruction experience is from four masters:  Robert N. Blair of Buffalo, NY, Carl Cogar of Las Cruces, NM, Nicholas Brigante of Los Angeles, CA, and Bong Wai Chen of Portland, OR.  Macaulay’s artwork is in collections through the U.S. and Canada with exhibitions in the U. S. and Mexico.  She paints primarily en plein air using watercolor and has developed the painting technique, Pocket Sketching, which she trademarked and teaches nationally.

 Pocket Sketching Workshop at The Center:  Three Day Breakdown

Day One:  Technique with the Water Soluble Pen and Landscape.  In the morning participants will learn the technique for sketching with the water soluble pen, then combine the pen with color using watercolors.  No previous experience is necessary.  The perspective lessons of contrast and color are included.  In the afternoon participants will work from photographs (furnished by instructor) using both previous perspective lessons plus focal point and editing.  This includes the use of wax, as used by John Singer Sargent in his watercolors.

Day Two:  Still life and People.  In the morning participants will begin with a still life emphasizing color, contrast, focal point and the peculiar characteristics of the water soluble pen.  Participants will learn how to edit in and out of a ‘gathered’ still life.  In the afternoon concentration will be on the human figure.

Day Three:  Plein Air.  Painting outside and experiencing working among strangers, architecture and color. Prove to yourself you can do this anywhere, in 25 minutes or less, without being interrupted.

To register contact Kathy Gaye Shiroki at 716-878-3549 or email shirokkg@buffalostate.edu or download the registration form on the BPAC website.

Supply List:

*Instructor brings supplies for purchase or bring your own:

Pilot Razor Point pen (water-soluble grey pen with the yellow circle on one end)
Strathmore Drawing Paper pad, 4 x 6 inches
Winsor & Newton Cotman 14 half pan watercolor set
35 mm film canisters with lid for water
Manual of Pocket Sketching basic technique

or
purchase from instructor the day of the workshop:
$40      Paint set, pad of watercolor paper, drawing pen, water container, and manual.
$30      Custom Bag