The Art of Sketching People with Amanda Beck

The Art of Sketching People – Amanda Beck

Sketching is an art that anyone can learn! As an avid sketcher, I can guide you with some key tips and techniques to get you started. You will soon be hooked in no time! We love to draw subjects that intrigue us and people are fascinating to observe and sketch. I will take the mystery out of how and where to start with some simple but effective sketching exercises.

The group size is limited to so it is advisable to book early to avoid disappointment.

10.00am – 4.00pm

What will be covered in this workshop?

· Core skills needed to get you started sketching people on location.

· How to make a confident representational sketch of people.

· How to simplify what you see and capture the energy of a pose

· You will be taught through practical demonstrations by the tutor and with the support of reference material

· Advice on sketching materials to achieve different effects when sketching moving figures, light and shadow, character and gestural poses

· A practical guide on where and how to start sketching in public spaces. We will spend the afternoon sketching outside. An alternative plan has been made in case of bad weather.

What do I need to bring along with me?

Please bring an A5 or A4 sketchbook of your choice. This workshop focuses on the use of dry media for sketching so it doesn’t require heavy thick paper. Although we will be using a water pen for some of the exercises. However please make sure the surface isn’t shiny and look for a sketchbook with good quality cartridge paper.

My favourite sketchbooks are both affordable, support sustainability and are good quality. They are the Seawhite eco Sketchbooks (soft back covers). Check your local art shop or look online. If you already have a sketchbook, please bring it along.

An enclosed pencil sharpener. My favourite is by Jakar it is a Pencil Sharpener & Eraser 2 in 1 (I believe they sell them at Salts Mill in Saltaire and at the Art Shop in IIkley. You can also find them online) Just bring what you have. When sketching on location an enclosed pencil sharpener is much more practical.

Pencils 2B and 4B and a putty rubber

Practicalities: As we will be spending a couple of hours outside in the afternoon it is recommended that you bring a sunhat, water bottle and a small rucksack for your sketching materials. We will look for benches to sit on but if you can bring a small fold out stool, that would be great.

What will be provided

Watercolour pencils and further sketching media to try out

Cost: £65 per person (group size limited to 10)

Student feedback from previous sketching courses

'Thanks for a very good day today. You always put a huge amount of effort into the prep for these days and it really shows’ Rosemary

"I SO enjoyed the figure drawing and many thanks for making it such an eye-opening experience- I learnt so much. I found your demos excellent and also coming round to us individually and as a group, informative and very helpful" - Sue

"Thank you for an inspiring course at the Crafthouse Bingley the other week. Through the exercises you taught, you introduced me to some new techniques and reminded me how to use some I already knew. I then felt I had the confidence to have a go at sketching in the wild. I even had a go myself one evening last week. Lots more practice required" - Sarah