Workshop Details
Urban sketching workshop… Since its humble beginnings in 2007, the Urban Sketching* movement has grown into a massively popular phenomenon, connecting sketchers from all over the globe, who share their work, to support and inspire one another and sketchers everywhere.
Following a brief introduction in the studio, we’ll venture out into the town centre as a group to select a suitable location for sketching: this session will last a couple of hours, then after lunch, we can either then go out again to a different spot, or stay in the studio to develop your morning’s sketches with added watercolour washes. John will be on hand during all this to guide and suggest ways of looking at what can be a daunting prospect in order to edit it down into a realisable sketch.
*This event is not endorsed by the official Urban Sketch organisation
About the Artist
John Harrison – Yorkshire born and bred – and proud of it.
John produces drawings and then adds colour in watercolour washes, not too dissimilar to a traditional painter. He will often start with a pencil drawing, add watercolour washes and then add ink lines over the top, but he usually starts with a line drawing in ink, or more often, a sketch.
He is an active Urban Sketcher – meeting up with other artists at a wide variety of locations to ‘show the world, one drawing at a time’ (a direct quote from the Urban Sketchers’ website).
The inspiration for much of his work is to be found within Yorkshire’s borders, and running a close second, the English Lake District: townscapes, landscapes (as long as there’s a building of some sort!), walls, hamlets, villages, ports and harbours as his main subjects. He’s always looking for a different viewpoint of familiar places – a dynamic angle, with strong light and shade, which helps the drawing come alive.
John was a participant in 2017’s Sky Arts Landscape Artists of the Year competition and undertakes commissions for large corporate clients and private individuals.
He appeared on 2022 edition of Watercolour Challenge on Channel 5 -avaiable to re watch on catch up My5.
John’s first commissioned book ‘Pen and Wash’ was published in 2024, and is available from him directly, or on various online retailers…Amazon, Waterstones , Blackwells, as well so directly from the publishers-Crowood Press
Materials Provided
Calder Art will provide the following materials for the workshop:
- 1 x Table Top Easel
- 1 x MDF Board in various sizes
- 1 x Paint Pot
- 1 x Palette or Plate
- Limited sundry products are also available if you forget anything.
Materials to Bring
- A sketchbook: any shape, size,
- Quality drawing tools: pens, pencils, twigs dipped in ink, Paints: whatever medium you want – John will be demonstrating his line and wash style, which utilises waterproof ink pens, and watercolour paint.Brushes: whatever size you have, larger brushes(size 8 and above) will be best for loose expressive washes.
- Paper: Good quality watercolour paper in loose sheets, pads or blocks. John’s favoured brand is Saunders Waterford 300g rough in a quarter imperial size (approx. 15” x 11”) but any equivalent good quality paper will do. The paper we choose to paint on is the foundation of our work—and like a house, a good foundation is critical for the success of a painting: good quality paper is of great importance, especially for the beginner who is learning.
- All materials are available online at www.calderartsupplies.co.uk. Or you can pick these up instore before the class begins.
Course Details
Payment:
Minimum numbers apply for courses to run. Payment is due in full at the time of booking, either through the shop, phone or online. All sales are final unless transferring to another class in which a price difference will be paid. Full refunds will be given if the courses cannot take place. If you cannot make the classes for any reason no refunds will be given. We will allow the cost of tickets to be transferred to an alternative workshop (if space is available) but this request must be made at least 30 days beforethe start of the event you wish to transfer from, in such circumstances please give us a call at Calder Art Supplies 01484 422991.
How to Book:
Phone: You can book by calling us on our telephone number 01484 422991 or visit in-store.
Facebook: We also have an online booking option through our Facebook site:
https://www.facebook.com/CalderGraphic/
This will also give you a breakdown of the class details and times to attend.
If you have any issues booking online please give the shop a call and we will endeavour to sort this out over the phone.
