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I get lots of invitations to work with school children, but it's more unusual for me to go into universities. So I'm really pleased that, for several years running, I have been asked to do one-off, inspirational lectures at Sheffield Hallam University, to get the undergraduates fired up about drawing and illustration.
Last Monday afternoon, I talked to the 1st year Graphic Design and Illustration students about 'drawing as reportage' and shared my top tips for sketching out on location.
I discussed things to consider when selecting subject matter, various possible stylistic approaches and the benefits of experimentation. I looked at the advantages and disadvantages of various media and how to make your kit as compact as possible. I suggested techniques for drawing people without attracting attention and ways of gaining the confidence to embrace the attentions of passers-by.
To fall in with this, the students were launched into a project where they have to chose any building in Sheffield and then document it in sketchbooks, not just architecturally, but also looking at the space the building occupies, both inside and out: the happenings, the people, the details of life it encomposes.
In previous years, we have used one of the big lecture theatres, but it can feel a little impersonal. So I was pleased when the uni told me that this time, as there were slightly less students, they wanted to split them into two groups, so we could deliver the lecture in their studio space instead. It was really nice to be able to look them in the eye as I was talking to them. Of course, it meant I had to give two identical 1.5hr lectures, end-to-end. Luckily it went rather smoother than last year!
Before I strutted my stuff though, illustrator/printmaker Sean Gee, a recent graduate of the Hallam degree course, did a short introductory talk about his work: he is going to be helping the students create drypoint etchings for the project, as a culmination of their sketch work. It was lovely to meet him and look at his fabulous screenprints: he was in the audience as a student for one of my earlier lectures!
John came with me too this time (he took the photos) and filmed the whole event, so watch out for highlights on my YouTube channel...
By the way, if you are an illustration student, don't forget, there are now lots of useful resources on my website, not just the various videos of me talking about my sketchbooks and my illustration work, but also highlights from my hot tips blog posts, gathered together, as well as short, anecdotal analyses of aspects of specific book projects, in the Getting it Right section.
This week, I started a short block of Illustration lecturing at thelocal Sheffield Hallam University.I'm doing just 4 hours each week until mid Jan: thereisn't time to do it as a regular thing, but now and then it's fun and addsvariety to life. This time last year I taughtlife drawing for a few weeks and also worked with last year's 3rd years, helping them develop their FinalProjects.
This time I'm with2nd years. My first session was on Wednesday, but there was aone-off talk by the Sheffield-based illustrators 'TADO' scheduled during my session time, so I had a veryeasy morning, sitting with the students, listening to TADO talk about their work (and sketching, of course).
TADO are in fact Katie and M
I'm enjoying the fact that there are lots of different things going on at the moment. Yesterday I was working on Baby Goes Baaaaa!, and today I am teaching at Hallam University. Well, actually I am assessing, for 2 whole days, marking the major projects for the Illustration 3rd year degree students I've been working with recently. Scary responsibility!On Sunday though, I was asked to help out as a judge, selecting the artwork to go into Sheffield's big, annual open exhibition: the Great Sheffield Art Show. It's something I've never been asked to do before and it sounded like fun. I arrived as the last of the artwork was being delivered by hopeful artists. While I waited for my job to kick in, I did these rapid sketches tucked in a corner, trying to keep out of the way, while framed watercolours, massive canvases, pots, sculptures and creations of all shapes and materials were collected and sorted by volunteers, then carried into the selection hall.There were 4 judges and we worked in pairs, walking round, tagging the artwork as 'yes', 'possible' or 'rejected'. We then moderated the other pair's decisions, and vice versa.Once the selections were finalised, all the judges and other volunteers were treated to a delicious lunch. It was lovely to meet new people, to chat about life and art over dainty sandwiches, fresh pineapple, buttered scones and a glass of wine - yum!After the scoffing, all entry forms had to be tagged to match the artwork, so that correct hanging fees could be charged. Then everything was given a label and a catalogue number. I stayed on to help out, partly to better earn my lunch, but mainly because I was really nosy to see how it all worked! As I left at 3p
Something else I've been beavering away at on the sly, is a PowerPoint lecture about my sketchbook work...
I was invited to talk on Reportage Drawing at Hallam University (where I've done occasional bits of Life Drawing teaching over the last couple of years). It sounded like good fun but, though I do sneak the odd sketchbook drawing into my lectures, I've never done a talk exclusively about sketching before.
Preparing has proved a real labour of love. It's forced me to really analyse how I work, as well as what I choose to draw and why. I've had to take a step back and think about explaining many things I've learned to take for granted. It's also been brilliant timing, as I have been turning a lot of the same information over in my head for my part in the Urban Sketcher's book. 
The worst bit is always gauging the timing - I have a tendency to add-lib once I get excited. I have been practising, delivering the lecture to thin air (or to poor, long-suffering John). Luckily, doing this as a one-off lecture (rather than part of a packed timetable in a school or festival) I was allowed plenty of time.
Last Tuesday afternoon, I took myself, my memory stick and a few sketchbooks to Hallam Uni, and was shown to a nice, posh lecture theatre: all padded seats and high-technology. I'm so lucky that I don't really suffer with nerves on such occasions, so I enjoyed myself immensely.
The students all listened and laughed in the right places. When I'd finished, I asked for questions. They all sat mute. One lad finally put his hand up. His question: 'Can you do my project work for me please?'
I invited them to come down to the front, and look at the actual sketchbooks. For a moment, it looked like they might just all shuffle off, then suddenly a couple got up the courage, then it was a deluge (phew!). They gathered round, chatting excitedly, and several said they were off to buy a sketchbo
I've been invited to teach a series of life drawing sessions at the local Uni again starting this week. I enjoyed myself last time, so I've been looking forward to it. It's all 1st yr degree students but, as it's a Graphic Design course, there are generally one or two who have never done life drawing before.
The plan is a little different from last year: instead of more traditional observational techniques, we are concentrating largely on getting the underpinning right - determining keys structural features, like the angle of the backbone and the hip line, drawing straight lines to represent the angle across the shoulders and the line through the knees. I had a couple of bamboo canes to hold up against Gerald, the model, to help students to see the angles. 
They spent the first half of the session effectively drawing stick men, but very accurately. It was only once they'd got the hang of that, they were allowed to flesh him out. Their last couple of drawings were much stronger for the structural preparation. Tiring though - I was on my feet from 9.30 through to 1.30, without a break, and was gagging for a cup of tea by the end.
All this reminds me that I haven't done any life drawing for months: these are old ones. They would both have been fairly long poses (I notice the bottom one says 1.5hrs in the corner). You can see more of my previous efforts on Flickr.
I'm in my first year of visual communications and when we went to the botanic gardens to sketch and take pictures. I was definitely inspired by your sketches :) Come to Ireland and give a talk to us! haha
Very interesting:)
It's a bit complicated getting it fired Susan, as I have to rent kiln space, so I am waiting until I get something I definitely want to keep.
This was great, Lynne.
Can't wait to see the movie!
(and after you go to Ireland, come to Australia!)
hi Ma'am,
I met you in Manchester, Salford university. And i really love your sketches. When are you coming back to Manchester