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Last Saturday I attended my very first sketch crawl, with the Sheffield sketchrawling group, at the stunning Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Up until quite recently I've been a reluctant public sketcher, but, these days I seem to be losing some of these hang ups. I have begun to, as Dr. Phil would say, 'get over myself'.
I enjoyed the day immensely. It was great to hang out with people who love drawing as much as I do. You know, other nerds (ha!). A highlight of the day was to be out sketching with the brilliant Lynne Chapman, who's work I have followed, online, for a couple of years. Her drawings are as fabulous in the flesh as they are on screen.
A shout out to some of the talented other folk I met too; Sian Hughes, Bryn Hughes (there really was a strong Welsh contingent for a Sheffiled based group), Matthew Midgley and Julie Clay. It's so interesting to see what other people chose to draw, and the different ways that they tackled the subjects. Take a look at their blogs for some other views of the Park.
For me I feel like I'm scratching away at this kind of drawing. It's so new. I feel I'm still looking for my voice (cheesy, I know - I watch a lot of daytime tv). Plus, there other things I'm yet to work out; what kind of pens should I be working with?; what kind of paper should I use and what size should it be?; do I want to add colour or not? It's thrown up loads of new questions. Questions that only I can answer, and I am so looking forward to finding the answers. I cannot wait for our next outing.
Next post; finished Classified Ads. I promise!
Andrea, I love these sketches. It's fun to see your mind in-the-process (and of course, I envy and adore your various lettering styles) rather than a more finished work. I love the Henry Moore sculpture on your last page; it reminds me of the "Giants Orbiting" characters in the filmed version of Neil Gaiman's/Dave McKean's _Mirrormask._ Wonderful!
I've never heard of a sketchcrawl before. I think we have a local watercolour group but that's it... Which is shocking as we have numerous high profile art schools in the area. Excited to see the path of you finding your lungs ;)
Oh I have so much to say about these new sketches, Andrea. First of all how refreshingly new they feel, all these people, the trees, the composition -- it all feels more haphazard and risky -- which is exactly what a sketch crawl forces us to do, right?
Continue exploring in that direction, Andrea, we have so much to learn from seeing you getting out of your comfort zone and be so successful at it.
Going on a sketch crawl by your side would be a fricken dream come true -- and I hope i'll live to do it :-)
What a brilliant idea! Wish they did something like that here, it's usually only me lagging behind with a sketchbook while everyone else strides ahead. Very interesting to see how your style works with having to draw on the hoof as it were - looks great so far.
I really like the brothers skecthing in the wind.
i love your sketches, its inspiring me to have a go at doodling again. im not really any good at drawing, but i must dredge up my doodle art journal out of the corner after it has been neglected for so long.
That's so nice to hear that you enjoyed drawing with other people !
I love it so much : it's such a good way to improve myself, and to dare drawing in new ways... !
Go on, the result is pretty and enjoyable for us to see :)
Thanks for sharing, and please... share again ! :)
very cool post! thanks!
Love love love the sketches! And so jealous - I am desperate to get out more xx
I love the sketches, too. It's fun to do something out of your comfort zone (it feels more fun later, once you've mastered it a little - lol).
Sketch crawl sounds like a great idea, and your sketches are also great. Really enjoyed looking through your blog
Thank you so much, my lovlies.
France, that would be a dream come true for me too. One day we'll make it happen.
Stephen, you'll have to combine it with a trip over this way. In fact Lynne has something happening in Manc next Thurs which I'm hoping to attend.
Thank you all, folks.
Oh!! I LOVE these sketches... a lot in one day. So glad you got to meet Lynne- she is fabulous isn't she!!! Agree with France's comments! How I would love to be able to join the Sheffield group one day!!!