Styrian Summer Art- Urban Sketching- A workshop in pictures

Assembling 14 sketching boxes complete with everything needed for a great urban sketching experience consumed most of a weekend. Some of the materials I had in stock while others had to be bought at the local art store or prepared for use. The mini watercolour palettes were constructed assembly line style, one colour at a time, and set out to dry for 48 hours before being packed up.

Once finished the imposing tower of sketching kits was ready for the students.

The week before school began I led a summer urban sketching seminar for youth and children. It took place in southern Styria about an hour from where we live. 14 young people took part.

The course was a three day event organized by the Styrian Summer Art project. A group that organises Summer courses covering a range of fine and visual arts around our state throughout the summer. Founded in 2005 the organisation has offered ever expanding courses in a variety on beautiful locations partnering with 'Kulturgenuss im Grunen' (Society for cultural enjoyment in the outdoors).

Urban sketching in a beautiful place is a special experience. Although small, the town had a number of architecturally interesting buildings to draw. Most of the students finished between 6 and 8 sketches during the seminar leaving enough pages in their sketchbooks to keep working afterwards.

On the last day A photographer came and made all the children (and myself) really shy while she filmed. She was a lovely person so we enjoyed having her around even though she did come with a camera.