Drawing Attention March 2023 - Zine of UrbanSketchers.org

SKETCHING

IN DALLAS • DELHI

INDONESIA • NEW YORK

ROMANIA • SAN FRANCISCO

SPAIN • TORONTO

WEST TEXAS

Attention DRAWING

The official zine of Urban Sketchers MARCH 2023

Drawing Attention Mandate

Drawing Attention, the official zine of the Urban Sketchers organization, communicates and promotes official USk workshops, symposiums, sketchcrawls, news and events; shares news about USk chapters; and educates readers about the practice of on-location sketching.

Thanks to this month’s Drawing Attention

contributors:

Content P ubliC ation team: Anne Taylor, Jane Wingfield

mailChim P layout: Jane Wingfield

i ssuu layout: Anne Taylor

Writers: Concha Côrte-Real, Cathy

Gutterman, Mark Leibowitz, Donald

Saluling, Christina Wald, Jane Wingfield

Proofreaders: Margaret Pettis, Maria Skrzypiec

Contributors: Leslie Akchurin, Eric Ngan, Parka, Rita Sabler

Cover image: Rita Sabler

Subscribe to Drawing Attention. Read the December edition of Drawing Attention

CirCulation: 14k+ r eadershiP: 16k+ Web: urbansketchers.org

Urban Sketchers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the art of on-location drawing. Click here to make your tax-deductible contribution via Paypal. © 2023 Urban Sketchers.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this publication, including accompanying artwork, are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Urban Sketchers organization.

One of our hopes for Drawing Attention is that you’ll be inspired by something you read here – to try out a new technique, pick up different materials or perhaps connect with a friend and draw something you haven’t attempted before.

We are so often inspired by the stories from our sketching community, arriving from many corners of the globe. We’ve found that sketching on location has this knack of sparking conversations and shaking up otherwise ordinary days – in a good way.

It happened to me just this week. I was inspired by NYC’s Mel Barrancco, who just coined a new word for us: “sketchwaiting”. You read it here first, sketchers! While most of the population seems desperate to avoid any hint of boredom by burying their heads in their iPhones, Mel positively welcomes the chance to sketch while commuting or standing in a queue.

I put this into practice while standing in line for ferry tickets, then later waiting for a coffee. A shaggy golden retriever was relaxing on the café floor at the next table. Soon I was talking to its minder who explained that it was a therapy dog who could hug on command. We ended up having a fascinating conversation, uncovering lots of shared interests. He was a painter and art teacher; now urban sketching is on his radar! Maybe none of this would have happened if I hadn’t decided to “sketch while waiting”.

In a similar way, Rita Sabler welcomed peaceful, unstructured time when she set off on Spain’s famous Camino walk. USk Sevilla’s project to draw a rehearsal at the city opera also took much care and planning, but the results were fantastic. Combined chapters in Indonesia sketched with an environmental purpose and a community focus for their Ciliwung River project , and Christina Wald’s adventures – and sketching friendships – in Romania unfolded over years.

This time you’ll find a useful calendar of events from around the world, spanning the next three months or so. If you can’t make the New Zealand Symposium, maybe there is something for you closer to home.

Our longstanding proofreader Leslie Akchurin found inspiration close at hand on her kitchen table; her beautiful Sketcher Demo makes it look so easy. We thank our two new volunteer proofreaders Margaret Pettis (Utah) and Maria Skrzypiec (Dordogne, France) for their hard work, and indeed all who contibuted. We even had a “bot” join us this time!

Wishing you inspiration, Anne Taylor (NZ), with Jane Wingfield (USA) Content Publication Team drawingattention@urbansketchers.org

A taste of New Zealand

Ahead of the USk Symposium • 19-22 April 2023 • Auckland, NZ

ERIC NGAN

KIA ORA [SAY: KEE-ORA], SKETCHERS! THAT’S “HELLO” IN MĀORI, ONE OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES OF NZ.

Aotearoa [say: Ah-o-te-a-ro-a] is the Māori name for our country, and it means “the land of the long white cloud” – pretty beautiful, aye? Let’s sketch clouds! The Auckland Symposium is just around the corner so here we give you a sample of what NZ has to offer, with help from our valued partners Tourism New Zealand. NZ is a long way to come for so many of you, so make sure you check out USk Travel Hub for more great advice. Now turn the page for our workshop instructors!

meet our symposium instructors...

BEN LUK

Hong Kong

MÁRIO LINHARES

Lisbon

ELEANOR DOUGHTY Seattle

DANIEL CARDONA Barcelona

DELPHINE PRIOLLAUD -STOCLET Paris

HUGO COSTA Valencia

CH’NG KIAH KIEAN Penang

EDUARDO BARBOZA Sao Paolo

JANE BLUNDELL Sydney

JOAQUIN DORAO Madrid

REHAM ALI Alexandria

Hong Kong

MARU GODAS Barcelona MARINA GRECHANIK Israel

ROB SKETCHERMAN

ANGIR SUDARMAN Surabaya City

... and correspondents

A WORD ABOUT OUR SPONSORS

The USk Symposium hub is at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) who we have partnered with for a generously reduced venue fee, We will be providing opportunities for their Tourism and Events Students to participate with the delivery of the event as a Symposium Host, so gaining experience of working on an international event. NZ Tourism has provided funding for us to include elements of Māori culture into the experience. Community Action Trust NZ is assisting the USk Auckland chapter with financial support services.

STEPHANIE BOWER Seattle

RICHARD BRIGGS Sydney

VIRGINIA HEIN Los Angeles

YAP YEEN YEE Kuala Lampur

OLIVER HOELLER Austria

SIMO CAPPECHI, Naples Symposium International Correspondent

TONY MCNEIGHT, Auckland Symposium Local Correspondent

TEOH YI CHIE , Singapore Symposium Video Correspondent

GLOBAL SUCCESS: REGIONAL EVENTS GRANTS

IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO NEW ZEALAND, DON’T DESPAIR! WE ARE VERY PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT FIVE USK CHAPTERS WILL BE AWARDED US$2,000 TOWARDS THEIR EVENTS THIS YEAR, AS PART OF THE REGIONAL EVENTS GRANTS PROGRAMME.

The quality of proposals was very high and the Assessment panel found it really difficult to confirm this season’s final programme. So, well done to all who applied, and congratulations to the successful five regional events, over four continents! There is an excellent range of activities, a broad global spread, and a strong calendar from March to September. The USk Executive Board Directors will also seek to add value with knowledge and advice that can help development of the respective events.

FIRST EVENT: FLORENCE, ITALY

24-25-26 MARCH 2023

URBAN SKETCHERS’ SPRING FESTIVAL IN FIRENZE FLORENCE, ITALY

ERIC NGAN

FOLLOWED BY:

8-11 JUNE 2023

URBAN SKETCHERS BRASIL SUDESTA [SOUTH

EAST] 2023 • ITU CITY, SAO PAULO, BRAZIL

8-9 JULY 2023

DESSINER NAMUR

URBAN SKETCHERS BELGIUM NATIONAL

WEEKEND • NAMUR, BELGIUM

12 AUGUST 2023

OHIO REGIONAL URBAN SKETCHERS SUMMIT

COLUMBUS, OHIO, USA

8-10 SEPTEMBER 2023

SKETCHING THE CITY OF GOLD

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

Ohio Regional Urban Sketchers Summit

August

Dessiner Namur - Urban Sketchers

Belgium National Week-end

July

Sketchers' Spring Festival in Firenze

Sketching the City of Gold

Urban Sketchers Brasil sudesta

USK EVENTS

SKETCHERS ARE GETTING TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN, AFTER MAJOR COVID DISRUPTION.

APRIL 19-22: AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

The International Urban Sketchers Symposium returns for its 11th edition after a three-year pandemic hiatus. The program includes workshops and demos by 20 international instructors, lectures, “skit sketches” (quick presentations, modeled on the Pecha Kuchar format), sketchwalks and plenty of networking opportunities. Auckland University of Technology is the main venue for this year’s edition. Registration is open now.

MAY 18-21: INTRAGNA, SWITZERLAND

USk Weekend event includes workshops by Claudia Jordi, Javier Alberich, Olivia Aloisi and Mario Leimbacher.

MAY 24-26: TOULOUSE, FRANCE

10TH NATIONAL MEETING SYMPOSIUM, TOULOUSE

A three-day urban sketching symposium ahead of the 10th national meeting of Urban Sketchers France taking place over the weekend. Guest artists include Pierre Amoudry, Mar Ù Godas, Lapin and Marielle Durand.

MAY 26-29: TOULOUSE, FRANCE 10TH ANNUAL REUNION OF USK FRANCE

This event is hosted by USkToulouse.

JUNE 9-11: BARCELONA, SPAIN, 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE URBAN SKETCHERS SYMPOSIUM IN BARCELONA

This event is hosted by USk Barcelona.

JUNE 23-25: DARMSTADT, GERMANY

The Urban Sketchers RheinMain chapter celebrates its 10th anniversary.

JULY 7-9: CHICAGO, USA

USk Chicago Seminar is also back this year after the pandemic hiatus.

JULY 14-16: EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, USA

Sketcher Fest Edmonds is the first ever travel sketchbooks festival coming to the US.

JULY 15-16: TORONTO, CA

A 10 x 10 Workshops celebrating Toronto’s 10 year Anniversary.

We love to hear about your chapter’s news, special events, joint meetups, and exhibitions and share them with our readers. Contact us at: drawingattention@urbansketchers.org.

2023 USK REPORTAGE GRANT

WE ARE NOW INVITING PROPOSALS FOR THE 2023 USK REPORTAGE GRANT.

Sketchers are encouraged to send us their project proposals by 15 May 2023 and apply by filling out this form. Here are the important dates:

• 1 JAN-15 MAY 2023

Proposal Submission Period

• 15 JULY 2023

Winners are announced

• 15 DECEMBER 2023

Final projects are due

Sketchers of all abilities and styles are encouraged to apply. You can submit a proposal as an individual sketcher or form a creative collaboration with someone else or engage your whole chapter in this project.

ABOVE: SKETCH BY DANIEL WINTERBOTTOM

2022 REPORTAGE GRANT RECIPIENT

CREATIVE CONNECTIONS IN DALLAS

The Dallas/Fort Worth chapter of Urban Sketchers held a reception on 10 December to celebrate the opening of the chapter’s first-ever group show, “Showing the World One Sketch at a Time.” The show, organized by chapter admin Sudeep Kumar, features 43 original, framed sketches by 27 chapter members and was displayed at the Irving Arts Center in Irving, Texas from November to February.

Each chapter member could submit up to two framed, original sketches (no copies or prints unless originally created on a tablet) that met USk guidelines. Member’s were given the option of pricing and selling their work or having it for display only. Once the art was turned in, The Irving Arts Center took over, hanging the show and handling all publicity.

Kumar had an existing contact with The Irving Arts Center and had discussions with them regarding the possibility of having a group show. He received word in September that USk Dallas/Ft. Worth had been granted a show opening in November, leaving roughly six weeks of preparation time as the art had to be turned in a couple of weeks before the opening. Since original sketches were required, and most members work out of sketch books, more time would have been helpful in creating on-location work on individual watercolor sheets.

Jim Richards, who introduced Urban Sketchers to Texas in 2013 and founded the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter, flew in for the reception with his wife Patti. Kumar presented them both with flowers and thanked them for their guidance, friendship and support over the past nine years. A slideshow featuring photos from the chapter’s nineyear history, including some from the group’s first sketch outing, was also part of the reception.

Photographs: Sudeep Kumar and Stephen Reed.

E: stephenmreed@tx.rr.com

SUDEEP KUMAR

KATHRYN SEAY

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF USK TORONTO

BY MARA GULENS

What started as a group of six sketching friends in 2013, is now a Chapter with more than 1,800 members. Urban Sketchers Toronto (USk Toronto) kicked off its 10th anniversary with an exhibition at At Origin Coffee, showcasing 47 sketches by 24 artists.

As part of the 10-year celebration, there will be a special meetup every month that features a 20-30 minute demo by one of the members. The Demo Meetups will take place in different historic and iconic locations around Toronto. We are planning a commemorative meetup at the Fox & Firkin, the pub where Marie-

USk Toronto will also host a 10x10 sketching event on the weekend of 15-16 July. Ten workshops will take place simultaneously at the historic St. Lawrence neighbourhood of Old Town Toronto. It will be a two-day event full of sketching, learning, prizes and surprises – and a great opportunity to meet other sketchers in the community.

Local artists Andrey Shmatnik, Barbara Eguchi, Isabel Santos, Kyra Crilly, Marek Badzynski, and Suzanne

Aboushakra are leading workshops on pen and watercolour. Hasibush Shaheed will teach a class with markers, Karlene Bland with acrylics, and Yasir Hameed with soft pastels. Mary Jo Ernst, a visiting artist from the USA, will teach her technique using water-soluble inks.

Judith Jean-Louis started the group on 10 October 2013.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE USK YOUTUBE CHANNEL

A Night at the Opera House

USK SEVILLA’S CHRONICLE OF THE MAESTRANZA OPERA HOUSE IN THE CITY OF SEVILLE, ANDALUCIA, SPAIN.

BY LUZ VEGA

LastNovember, the Maestranza Opera House of Seville offered an exclusive invite to USk Sevilla to enjoy sketching the preview of the opera Raphael Deveraux by the Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti. How could we resist – the response was an enthusiastic “Yes” ! The production was launching Seville’s new opera season, and a new series of post-Covid events.

The cast and crew were very excited about our presence there and knew that it would help their performance to be a success. The enthusiasm was high for the Sevilla urban sketchers as everyone prepared, days before for this momentous performance. We knew the importance of this opportunity and wanted to be totally prepared to be show the opera in the best way. There were so many questions: What materials should we bring? How would be manage working in dim light?

We took a group photo, to mark the occasion, and after the incredible first Act 1, we shared anecdotes, compared

drawings and stretched our legs. We were joined by the Stage Director and the Maestranza Opera House director. They were thrilled with our first act sketches and excited to see what other artwork we would create.

At the end of the Opera we were took a final group photo. Everyone was excited and in high spirits after the show and there was much to share and stories to tell. We basked in gratitude and the warm welcome received from the Opera House. The entire experience was unforgettable and we went home with the feeling that something really special had happened at our sketch event.

Elpasado noviembre, el grupo USk Sevilla (Sevilla, España) es invitado en exclusividad por el Teatro de la Maestranza de Sevilla, a dibujar el pre-estreno de la ópera Rafael Deveraux, del compositor italiano Gaetano Donizetti. Como no podía ser de otra manera, la respuesta de los dibujantes de USk

Sevilla fue enorme. Con esta representación se estrenaría la nueva temporada de ópera en la ciudad de Sevilla. Los nervios por el estreno, la responsabilidad por iniciar este nuevo periodo del Teatro de la ópera tras las restricciones por la pandemia del Covid, traspasaba del escenario al auditorio. El elenco de artistas nos habían hecho llegar la alegría que les hacía que fueramos

a dibujarles en este inicio de temporada, y deseaban que la representación fuera un éxito.

La emoción de los dibujantes USkSevilla no era menor, llevaban días prepaparándose para este día: que material llevo, cuales serán las mejores luces,...Todo este cúmulo de dudas y sensaciones se amontonaba y se unía a la ilusión de poder asistir a dibujar a la ópera. No queriamos dejar ningún momento atrás, y antes de entrar nos hicimos la primera foto de grupo. Ya en el descanso, tras el primer acto, pudimos compartir anécdotas, ver algunos dibujos y estirar las piernas. A nosotros se unieron los Directores de escena y del Teatro de la Maestranza, que estaban entusiasmados y sorprendidos por el trabajo realizado por los urbansketchers, y que no dejaron de alabar.

A la finalización de la ópera pudimos hacer la puesta en común de los dibujos y la foto final de grupo. Teníamos mucho que compartir y comentar de lo acontecido, pero el agradecimiento por la cálida acogida y el trato que recibimos del Teatro de la Maestranza era unánime. Todo ello, hace que este encuentro para nosotros sea inolvidable. Aquel día nos fuimos a casa con la sensación de que algo muy especial había ocurrido en el encuentro: “Una noche en la ópera”.

A SKETCH WALK FAVORITE: THE TALL PAGODA

BY EILEEN P. GOLDENBERG , ARTIST, SKETCHER & RING LEADER!

One of my favorite sketch walks was on my birthday, October 22, this past year. We met at the San Francisco Japanese Tea Garden, featuring the restored Tall Pagoda. Originally built for the 1915 World’s Fair here in SF, it was slated to be taken down but saved and moved to the tea garden.

The builder said the roof tiles were so fragile they crumbled in their hands. It has five levels of ornate and carefully painted gabled roofs; curved roofs were commonly believed to ward off evil spirits as they hated curves and would also fall off such steep roofs. Deep Vermillion, aka “shuiiro”, is the prevailing color with gold accents and black bells hanging at every tier. The day we were there, stonemasons from Japan were installing a special stone from Japan to complete the base. They admired our sketches and it was great to connect and to tell the story of the day by sketching.

SF is a wonderful place for urban sketching. I set up most of the Saturday events and our SF Bay Area group has over 4,300 participants. My phone map has more than 925 starred locations for sketching! From Victorian houses to boat marinas to the Golden Gate Bridge, we have itall. We have at least eight weekend sketch walks per month. The mild weather means we can sketch on location most of the year. Urban sketching has become a passion for me and I try to go out everyday. I love to find inspiring places and sit down and sketch. My brain sets to the task and I can’t worry, make lists or think about anything else, it is so relaxing. Meeting urban sketchers is also a great way to have artist friends.

USK DELHI CELEBRATES 250TH MEET

IIT Delhi, the foremost engineering college of India, invited USk Delhi to celebrate its 250th sketch meet at its campus on 27 November 2022, with about 50 sketchers participating. The meet was facilitated by the Design Club of IIT and was attended by a large number of members of IIT’s Fine Arts Club. Highlights included a demo by the watercolor artist

and Co-Admin Juhi Kumar, as well as the launch of the book “Anyone can Sketch Volume 2” written by the FounderAdmin and IIT Delhi Alumnus Niraj Gupta (published on Amazon). USk Delhi was founded by Niraj in May 2017 and the chapter has met almost every Sunday since then. It has also done six group exhibitions. USk Delhi looks forward to growing this cooperation.

WELCOME NEW CHAPTERS

JAVIER MAS PINTURAS

USK GLOBAL MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

It is a pleasure to inform you that we have 16 new chapters in the USk community. Thank you all for being part of the USk community. In this round we have had a huge participation from Latin America and France. Let’s welcome them!: USk Querétaro, Mexico; USk Puebla, Mexico; USk São Luís, Brazil; USk Ann Arbor, MI, USA; USk Rhode Island, NE,

USA; USk Itu, Brazil; USk Cuiabá, Brazil; USk Vitória, Brazil; USk Corumbella (Corumbá and Ladário), Brazil; USk Manaus, Brazil; USk Tucumán, Argentina; USk Vannes, France; USk Arras, France; USk Amiens, France; USk Metz, France; USk Thrissur, Kerala, India.

SÃO LUÍS

RIVER ACTION IN INDONESIA

SKETCHERS HAD TO TACKLE NEGATIVE VIEWS ABOUT THE CILIWUNG RIVER WHEN THEY EMBARKED ON A COMMUNITY PROJECT TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT ITS IMPACT AND THE NEED TO PROTECT IT. ANNE TAYLOR FOUND OUT MORE FROM ORGANIZER DONALD SALULING.

AT: Congratulations to Indonesia’s Sketchers, USk Indonesia and USk Bogor Sketchers who secured a USk Regional Grant to build sketching and storytelling communities around the Ciliwung River. Can you tell us more about the river?

DS: Ciliwung actually means Ci (water) Liwung (name of the body of water). It was historically one of the natural fortresses of the Padjajaran Kingdom in West Java. It stretches around 120km from the Bogor area in West Java, through the rural region of Depok and all the way to the seaside of Jakarta. Running from mountainous areas, through diverse village cultures, rural inhabitants and urban housing, there are many impacts on and uses of the water. Pollution happens from time to time and from various sources, ranging from factories to domestic waste However, along the river banks, there are also organizations, communities and individuals who fight hard to reduce the impact of pollution in the river, and we collaborated with some of them.

AT: What were your goals for this project?

DS: We wanted to raise the general public’s awareness and passion for the river, and at the same time spread the joy of urban sketching as a tool for social activism. We believe that, together, we can help preserve the river and help its communities grow, collaborate and flourish for many years to come. And we hope that this initiative inspires other USk groups across the

globe. Our ‘Ciliwung Rhapsody’ project aimed to highlight the river’s positive impacts in the past, present and future, and raise hope for its rejuvenation.

AT: How did you go about this?

DS: We held two one-day events in July and November 2022. From the get go, we wanted to collaborate with communities that have been working on Ciliwung. We also asked children and young people (aged 6-15) in each location to participate in the event. Approximately 90-100 children attended the event and were given art materials to work with. Their artworks were collected to be displayed on the second part of the Regional USk project.

AT: What were the challenges of organising and delivering this to the community?

DS: The challenges, of course, have to do with the river’s reputation. Geographically speaking, the water that floods Jakarta and its surrounding areas, comes from the overflowing Ciliwung Rriver and its branches. Images, news and stories about this made people hesitant join the event. On the other hand, our friends in Bogor, West Java, do not share the same opinion and rather oppose it. Thus, we decided to portray the various aspects of the river through three different locations by conducting simultaneous sketchwalks. Originally we wanted to include the part of the river that is most populated and dense but we found out later that the area was on high alert and was the subject of a government project.

Another challenge that we faced during the preparation was sponsorship. Since we couldn’t promise high attendance for the events, some of our sponsors were hesitant to help us. In the end, only the ones that really cared and believed in our cause, chose to help out.

featured chapters

AT: What feedback did you receive from the USk sketchers involved and people in the local communities?

DS: Sketchers were happy and enthusiastic since the event was long-awaited after the restrictions for Covid. Many were hungry to hang out together, meet up, feel the vibes of typical USk-type sketch together events. Some of the participants were actually newbies and had just started urban sketching during the pandemic. For some participants, this event proved to be eye opening for how they perceive Ciliwung. Not many realized that Ciliwung is not merely about pollution and floods but also about activism, community,

and environmental awareness. Local communities were also excited and seeing people come and show appreciation for Ciliwung gives them happiness and hope. They even invited us to come to their communities any time to sketch and work again with the children.

AT: Has this project led to any other thoughts or new directions for Indonesia and Bogor sketchers?

DS: Yes, of course. The event brings us even closer and teaches us a lot about collaborations. We’re poised to get more involved with each other, with possible collaborations ahead.

BELOW LEFT: SKETCH BY ELVIN EMERALDO

Santiago de Compostela , the endpoint of the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage and capital of Galicia in northwestern Spain, has hosted Compostela Ilustrada since 2016.

Described as “a winter salon for notebook makers,” Compostela Ilustrada brings selected artists together to produce workshops, lectures and public art. It also celebrates the city’s food and the vibrant culture of Galicia. Here, we take a look at this event and a captivating part of Spain.

COMPOSTELA ILUSTRADA

– a winter festival in Santiago de Compostela, Spain

URBAN SKETCHER MARÙ GODAS OF BARCELONA HAS BEEN THE ORGANIZER OF THE COMPOSTELA ILUSTRADA FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. JANE WINGFIELD SPOKE WITH HER AHEAD OF LAST YEAR’S EVENT.

“It’s a festival with workshops in the morning. Artists are available for questions, and for signing their books,” says Mar Ù. “The city is beautiful, and they open their doors to the festival participants.” It takes place rain or shine. They find locations that will work indoors or outdoors. The idea is to create an ambiance around tourism, travel journals, drawing and culture. The art workshops are complemented by music and wonderful food. There are concerts and great restaurants. The city wants to share Galician culture and be involved with the arts.

The artists and instructors always have a book to present, with workshops in the morning. Artists are available for questions and for signing their books. The summer of 2022 was a Camino Holy Year – Ano Xacobeo – so designated in those years when Saint James Day (25 July) falls on a Sunday. In honor of this special occasion, Rita Sabler and Migualntxo Prado were invited to a summer residency to walk the Camino and draw their experiences for 10 days (see Rita’s article in this issue). The results of that residency were at least 80 postcard-sized drawings, a book called Caminamos Para Para – We Walk to Stop, an exhibition, presentation and workshops at Compostela Ilustrada. Other artists were also invited to give workshops and lectures.

Compostela Ilustrada

Healing the Soul through Drawing

CONCHA CÔRTE-REAL IS AN URBAN SKETCHER AND ARCHITECT FROM LISBON. SHE PARTICIPATED IN RITA SABLER’S WORKSHOP, VIGNETTES OF THE MARKET, AT COMPOSTELA ILUSTRADA.

It was with great enthusiasm that I enrolled in the 5th meeting of “Compostela Ilustrada”. It was August and I was dealing with the loss of my mom, with whom I was very close, who had passed away the previous October. The perspective of this meeting lifted my spirits.

The enrolment included the opportunity to participate in two workshops. I didn’ t have any second thoughts: I chose Rita Sabler’s and Marielle Durand’s – two very different artists, whose work I have been following and admiring. I arrived on 3 November in the late morning, in time to join my fellow friends for lunch. Contrary to the forecast, the weather was splendid and continued like that until the very last day of the event. Walking to the Auditorio de Galicia for the welcoming reception, we noticed the beautiful landscape with its vibrant autumn colors.

The reception went very well and there was a good vibe in the air. MarÙ Godas, with her contagious energy, welcomed everybody and talked about the program of events, which was very intense and diverse, with talks, exhibitions, and so on. Rita Sabler’ s workshop was at Mercado de Abastos – “How to make a drawing that is not only beautiful but also tells a story”. We learned how to do a series of small drawings to illustrate the essence of a busy place. It was very interesting, but totally different from what I usually do, so I ended the

workshop somehow frustrated because I couldn’t achieve its objective. On the other hand, it was good because I felt challenged. And later that afternoon, having in mind Rita’s teachings, I made a drawing of the cathedral which I really like.

At the closing dinner, several gifts were raffled among the participants, creating an atmosphere of joy and relaxation. One of these went to a friend of ours that got sick and couldn’ t make it to the event. We were very happy for her.

I had a wonderful time in which I drew intensely in good company, met lovely new people and deepened friendships. These four days helped heal my soul and will forever have a special place in my heart.

“Standingon the shore of the river

Síl in the town of O Barco de Valdeorras in Galicia, I looked at the hillside scorched by recent wildfires, reflecting on the summer forest fires that were plaguing my own home in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.

I was at the starting point of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, a project commissioned by Compostela Ilustrada with help from Turismo de Galicia.”

Walking to Stop

– a sketch pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago

BY RITA SABLER

Compostela Ilustrada

amino de Santiago is an ancient route that pilgrims have walked for centuries in the hope of having their sins pardoned on arrival at the ornate Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. These days, the walk is done mostly by tourists, those celebrating life’s milestones, and as a physical challenge.

The idea for my project “Camiñar para Parar” or “Walk to Stop” was to take in the sights slowly and with intention. For Galician artist Migualntxo Prado and I, it also meant leaving a record of illustrated vignettes of this journey. For 10 days and 184 kilometers we were drawing and walking, side by side.

As I look through the 40 postcard drawings (below) commissioned by Compostela Ilustrada that I made along the path, and my own accordion five meter-long sketchbook (right), all of the memories come rushing back. I can still hear

the barking dogs who greeted us along the way as we passed the fences of their homes. I can taste the sweet grapes that we snacked on while walking through multiple vineyards along the way, and I hear the sound of the mighty bell startling us from the red stoned facade of the tiny Iglesia de San Marino de Viloira in O Barco. I remember the warm coziness offered by “gallerias,” the typical ornate covered balconies designed as extra protection from the wind for the residents of Galician towns. I feel the stinging bites of hundreds of ants on my legs. It felt like I was almost eaten alive as I sketched from Ponte Vella, an old footbridge over Minho River, with the town of Petin above it.

One of the favorite parts of the walk was crossing the border from Ourense into Lugo provinces. The very first pueblo in Lugo – Os Alvaredos – greeted us with colorful wooden artifacts attached to its walls. There was a special refueling station for the pilgrims, with coffee and fresh fruit. I would have happily spent a few hours sketching here but since we were just starting our day of walking, we plowed on ahead. Most of these villages felt almost deserted, with only a few older residents, chickens, and dogs keeping guard. As we left Os Alvaredos we walked through a fragrant pine grove and an orchard of silvery olive trees.

As I arrived at the vast Obradoiro plaza in Santiago I was struck by several things at once. The west-facing facade of the cathedral appeared to glow in the rays of the setting sun, as if promising eternal salvation to all the pilgrims who had

Compostela Ilustrada

completed their arduous journey. Hundreds of modern day pilgrims were resting on the bare cool cobblestones of the square. As I surveyed the crowd of tired people I tried to guess if anyone there came to seek eternal salvation. There were a lot of outdoorsy types equipped with the latest athletic gear. Many took off their shoes exposing multiple blisters and calluses. I noticed a man on his knees and elbows bowing toward the cathedral. At last, I thought, a pious type, repenting his sins. Once I got closer, however, I realized that he was just trying to get a better photo with his phone.

TYPICAL

Rita Sabler

IGLESIA DE SAN MARINO DE VILOIRA IN O BARCO

A

GALICIAN VILLAGE

RITA’S MATERIALS

• ARTIST PITT PENS BY FABERCASTELL

• GRAPHITE PENCIL

• WATERCOLOR POSTCARDS BY HAHNEMÜHLE

• WATERCOLORS BY WHITE NIGHTS, OTHER MAKERS

• ACCORDION STYLE SKETCHBOOK

BY SEAWHITE BY BRIGHTON

Compostela Ilustrada

A few hours before I was scheduled to go back home I put all of the postcards I made during the Camino in a little metal tin box in order to hand them over to the producer, Gemma. It was hard to part with these originals, but

I knew I would have a chance to see them again in exactly one month at the Pilgrimage Museum in Santiago de Compostela, which staged the exhibition in November 2022.

A Feast for the Senses

WEST TEXAS-BASED SKETCHER AND LONG-STANDING DRAWING ATTENTION PROOFREADER LESLIE AKCHURIN RECOMMENDS ‘PLAYING WITH YOUR FOOD’.

LESLIE’S MATERIALS:

• Hot-pressed watercolor paper —I love the vividness of watercolor on hot pressed paper, as well as the blooms and other irregularities that are likely to occur.

• Watercolor —Use any good quality brand; granulating colors can be especially fun.

• Mid-sized to large round and flat brushes

• A soft lead pencil or Derwent watercolor pencils

• Caran D’ache Neocolor crayons.

When the outside world is too cold or wet for sketching, the kitchen can be a reliable place to find natural forms and some interesting shapes and colors. Although I don’t cook as much as I used to, I’m sometimes inspired by my pre-dinner tabletop to try a relaxed capture of the more visually interesting elements. For this demo, I used a three-step, multi-media approach to create a lively scene before preparing a simple meal: teriyaki lamb chops with rice and baby bok choy.

I was a kid who liked to draw and then put it away in favor of other adult pursuits, only picking it up again in my mid-50s. As my artistic bent has always been to respond to the world around me, I took to the urban sketching movement like a duck to water. The work of USk sketchers worldwide has been a continual inspiration for me. These days I’m retired and can usually sketch several times a week.

1. Watercolor: With a couple of larger, wet brushes, I paint in washes of color for the objects that catch my attention, letting the paint overlap or mix, and being as free and expressive as

I like. In this step, I try to create the main relationships and an overall unity. I like to leave a lot of white space so that the eye can bridge parts of the sketch.

2. Pencil: I selectively draw in contours where I think they help to define the watercolor shapes, add some interesting pattern or detail, or indicate background objects. Drawn items can imply depth in the scene while not detracting from the main event. In this demo I simply used pencil, but for more expressiveness I also like bright watercolor pencils, sometimes in different colors for different areas.

LESLIE’S TIPS:

• Build the picture organically according to what attracts you.

• For me, the main pleasure of sketching is the surprise of invention while I respond to the particular qualities of my subject matter.

• I typically just start with the form that interests me most and then pick and choose the elements and colors that seem to work with what I already have on the page. This strategy gives me joy. Even if the final picture isn’t successful, I gain a better sense of how to approach a similar subject next time.

3. Crayon: I add texture and vividness with pastel crayons. In addition to making the forms more tangible and recognizable, I can emphasize the parts I feel contribute most to the “dance” of the composition. I also like to indicate shadows this way, as

crayon marks don’t interfere too much with the solidity of the watercolor shapes. (However, if I think the shadows are a main element of the scene’s appeal, I’ll probably wash them in with watercolor during Step 1.)

Mel Barranco: Champion of “Sketchwaiting”

WHY HURRY OR GET BORED ON YOUR COMMUTE WHEN YOU CAN “SKETCHWAIT”?

BY CATHY GUTTERMAN

NYC Urban Sketcher Mel Barranco lives in Harrison, NY, and works as a data exchange specialist for a fashion jewelry company in midtown Manhattan. While he doesn’t have a background in art – he has a degree in Food Technology – Mel enjoys creating. His daily visual diary documents his 45-minute train ride and the wide range of people he encounters on his commute to and from work each day.

Mel’s constant companion is his sketchbook, which he uses at every opportunity, from train stations, subways, coffee shops, restaurants, concerts, theaters, garages, and doctors’ offices. For Mel, “sketchwaiting” (as his friend Tina Koyama calls it) is a great way to pass an otherwise unproductive time, as well as hone sketching skills. Sketching as discreetly as he can, he uses simple materials that he can grab from his pocket at a moment’s notice. While his toolkit has many pens, markers, and colored pencils, Mel’s first preference is his trusty Zebra F-301 ballpoint pen and a small A6-sized sketchbook.

He regards his sketchbook as a tool to help him discover and appreciate the beauty in ordinary daily life. Sketching strangers can be intimidating, frustrating, and rewarding at the same time. When sketching a stranger, you can feel anxious about being noticed but Mel says this lessens with time. In fact, Mel finds sketching to be a form of meditation and relaxation that helps him focus and to be present in the moment. He feels that an ordinary subject, when carefully observed and drawn, can also yield interesting and satisfying aesthetic results.

He begins a sketch with whatever first grabs his attention and builds outward from there. His starting point could be a face, posture, color or location. Mel’s productivity is due as much to his natural interest in the world around him as his joy in mark-making.

sketcher spotlight

When sketching on the train, he usually begins by writing down the train car number, plus the day, date and time in a corner of the page. The simple act of doing this signals that he’s ready to sketch. Once locked in on a subject, Mel studies it, looking for certain shapes that can be utilized for scale measurement. Sketching laterally from adjacent lines helps build the entire sketch.

To keep his work fresh, Mel constantly experiments with composition. Sometimes he focuses on a lone commuter. Sometimes, when the train is full, he creates a two-page spread layered with figures. He has discovered that seats along the strategic center aisle offer a better view and good depth perspective.

DAILY VIBE AT GCT

RIGHT: BRYANT PARK CHRISTMAS MARKET

NOSTALGIC HOLIDAY TRAIN RIDE FROM 125TH TO CHAMBERS ST

MEL’S TIPS FOR SKETCHING ON A MOVING TRAIN

This can be challenging, so find a way to steady your drawing hand.

• Tuck your elbow close to your body for anchor and support.

• Rest your dominant hand on the drawing surface and hold the pen loosely at the mid-point for greater flexibility and reach. Holding the pen very close to the tip restricts freedom of movement.

• Flex and utilize your wrist so you can make loose marks, but be ready to also use firm decisive marks to provide contrast and articulate form.

• Look at the window reflection of the subject. This offers greater time for observing without direct eye contact.

• Regular practice helps train hand / eye coordination and you’ll find that each day it gets better.

Mel Barranco

A NIGHT OUT…AND A NEW FRIEND

One evening, Mel and his companion walked to a Mediterranean wine bar in Lower Manhattan for an early dinner. Their young hostess led them to a table next to the bar. Mel was keen to observe the gestures of two young men who were taking turns at the bar. Soon, Mel was working in his pocket-size Moleskine sketchbook.

At times, the waitress tried to peek at what he was doing. When it was time to settle the bill, the waitress was eager to see his sketch.

When Mel showed it to her, she asked permission to show it to the bartender, who had been nervously glancing at Mel and mistaking him for a health inspector. Now they are friends – one more example of art bringing people together, one sketch at a time.

MISSED TRAIN, SILVER LINING

One day, Mel missed his train but there was an upside to taking a later one: being able to sketch the same mother and daughter he had sketched just two weeks earlier! She was reading a book to her toddler daughter and had not noticed that Mel was sketching them. Before reaching the final stop, Mel greeted the mother, removed the page from his sketchbook, and handed it to her. The surprise on her face was priceless and Mel felt good all day.

Mel Barranco

GREEN LINE 4 SUBWAY

WAITING FOR A FRIEND AT REI

WAITING AT 125TH STREET PLATFORM ON THE WAY HOME

Mel Baranco

Journeys in ROMANIA

CHRISTINA WALD, USK SOCIAL MEDIA

COORDINATOR HAS FORGED LASTING CONNECTIONS IN THIS MAGICAL EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRY.

1998: First Visit to Romania

In 1998, our best friends got engaged. My husband Troy and I were asked to be “godparents of the wedding”, in Bucharest (right). At the time, we did not know much more about the country except for the deposition of Ceausescu and the intrigue of Transylvania.

We met Ioana Popescu, who was attending the University of Cincinnati to get her PhD in biology, when she started dating our close friend George Gibeau. So off to Bucharest we went with extra suitcases full of wedding supplies in tow; no extra charge even though one weighed over 70 pounds (31kg).

In Bucharest, we were enthusiastically welcomed by Ioana’s friends and family and sipped plenty of homemade, distilled concoctions like Țuică and Vișinată before a whirlwind tour of Transylvania and Constanța. The country was in transition then but its charms showed through. Romania has a robust artistic and cultural history. For example, I saw an original painting by Mucha in Peleș Castle!

2014: First Sketch Visit to Romania

I joined Ioana in 2014 to sketch Romania while she was working on her book about native wildflowers. We traveled all over the country, as far north as Săpânța, on the small part of Romania’s Ukranian border to Arad, close to the western border of Hungary. We hiked in the Carpathian Mountains, watched a farmer milk his cow (after all the cows walked home to their barns voluntarily), were invited for more home brewed Țuică (I got a terrible headache after), got to see a weaver’s cottage, and even picked up a few hitchhikers between towns!

In addition to an architecture mix from Habsburg – Art Nouveau, Saxon, Vernacular, to French Restoration –Romania contains roughly two-thirds of Europe’s old temperate forests. The economy was booming from EU investment. The landscape is so pristine and medieval that movies are often filmed in Romania. I dreamed of bringing a group of sketchers to experience it.

Christina Wald in Romania

2022: Our first group trip

Derailed by the pandemic and then the war in Ukraine, we finally achieved our goal to take a group of sketchers to Bucharest and Transylvania in June 2022.

Bucharest has blossomed, even since my last visit, and is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination in Europe. I contacted Mugur Popa, who runs the Bucharest Urban Sketchers, and we sketched with his group on several occasions.

The first day we met many skilled and friendly artists. I was interviewed on English-speaking radio. We found out that this was also the first outing after a long lockdown. There is a vibrant artist community throughout the country and Mugur connected us with artists such as Rares Kerekes in Transylvania. It was exciting to talk art and materials with the different skechers. Mugur took us to Colorit, an art store where he is an associate. It was stocked with some of the best sketching tools I have seen! We plan to go back to Romania in 2024 to explore more.

USK BUCHAREST

SKETCHING IN THE HISTORIC CITY WITH USK BUCHAREST, 2022

“For me, USK is first and foremost a great group of friends! We evolve together, we learn from each other, united by the same enthusiasm and pleasure to draw.”

Raluca Morariu

“Above all, Urban Sketchers is about friendship, supporting each other, accepting and encouraging fellow sketchers to share their personal approach and perspective of the world around us through drawing.”

Laura Tudorica

“Hi! An impetus to do Master of Arts! The influence of Urban Sketchers on me is that I already have a dissertation work titled “Art-Journal through Museums and Galleries” but also many travelogues! Thanks, USk!”

Carmen Tanu

“USk Group means to me trusted friends with artistic sense and a high level of understanding, whose appreciation matters a lot to me!”

Florin Toderici

About Urban Sketches Bucharest and Constanța

By Mugur Popa

Urban Sketchers (Bucharest) and Urban Sketchers (Constanța) were founded in 2016 at the initiative of the architect Mugur Popa and currently have 900 and 190 members respectively. To date there have been more than a hundred group events and two collective exhibitions.

During the pandemic, the groups’ activities were restricted, but continued thanks to the administrators, Raluca Morariu, Adina Tudor, Laura Tudorica, Marilena Iepan, Daniel Manafu, and a few enthusiastic members, Carmen Tanu, Radu Florea, and Toderici Florin-Alexandru. Currently, activity is returning to normal. The Romanian Athenaeum is the favorite sketching location in Bucharest (shown in the chapter logo), and the Casino in Constanța.

ATHENEUL ROMÂN SKETCH BY MUGUR POPA

Christina Wald in Romania

SIBIU BY CHRISTINA WALD

A MESSAGE FROM MUGUR POPA

Usk Romania, fondată la Bucuresti de arhitectul Mugur Popa, a adunat de-a lungul anilor un grup de artiști pasionați. Fie că desenează într-o cafenea, pe o bancă de parc, pe străzile din București, Brașov, Constanța, desenatorii noștri urbani adoră să petreacă timp împreună surprinzând spiritul și atmosfera unui loc și a oamenilor săi în timp real. Schițele noastre spun povestea împrejurimilor noastre, a locurilor în care trăim și unde călătorim. Ne oferă o modalitate unică de a ne documenta și de a ne aminti călătoria, permițându-ne totodată să exersăm și să ne îmbunătățim abilitățile. Ne împărtășim schițele online și organizăm expoziții.

BRASOV SQUARE BY CHRISTINA WALD

JEB BRACK

SKETCH BY DHRUBA MAZUMDER

Christina Wald in Romania

COOL GEAR: THE COLUMN THAT WROTE ITSELF

BY MARK LEIBOWITZ (WITH A LITTLE HELP

FROM ‘AI’)

Afew weeks ago, I got in touch with the Drawing Attention team to talk about possible topics for this column. Winter in the northern hemisphere is a tough time for new ideas – we’re not sketching as often and not getting our usual turnouts. Frankly, I get ideas from the people I sketch with and ideas that you send in (markleibowitz810@gmail.com).

I’d been thinking of glass dip pens as a topic. The only problem is, I’ve never tried one, and I don’t know anyone who has, so there’s not much I can say, other than that glass pens sound interesting. However, we are also at the dawn of the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). My hope is that AI will become an astounding tool for creative people – like us.

So, without knowing a thing about sketching with a glass dip pen, I asked an AI service what it could tell a group of urban artists. Here is the answer I got:

“As an amateur artist, have you ever wanted to take your sketches to the next level and add an extra touch of sophistication and elegance? Then, have you ever considered using a glass dip pen?

“Glass dip pens are a traditional art form that has been around for centuries, providing artists with a unique and beautiful way to express themselves. Unlike traditional ballpoint pens or markers, glass dip pens require a certain level of control and patience to use effectively. This, in turn, provides the artist with greater artistic freedom and the ability to create fine lines and bold, dramatic strokes.

drawing fine details. The ink dries quickly and provides a range of shades, from dark black to delicate washes, allowing for a range of artistic expression.

“Drawing with a glass dip pen is a slow and deliberate process, but the results are stunning and unique. The smooth flow of the ink creates a timeless quality, making it a popular choice for artists and calligraphers. And now, at the dawn of the Age of Artificial Intelligence, the glass dip pen may become an even more powerful tool for creative people like us.

“In short, drawing with a glass dip pen would not only provide a unique tactile experience but also a unique look to your artwork. However, it would require patience and a light touch to use effectively. So, why not step outside of your comfort zone and try something new this winter? Your sketches are sure to benefit from the elegant touch of a glass dip pen.”

Honestly I have no idea if any of this is true, but it has piqued my curiosity. And about AI – clever artists like us are going to find ways to use the technology to be more creative and more productive, so we might as well jump in.

“These pens are most commonly used for calligraphy, lettering, and other hand-drawn forms, but they are also ideal for sketching and

If you have a piece of Cool Gear you’d like to share with readers, please send a couple of photos or sketches with a description and how you use it. We’d love to hear from you!

PARKA REVIEWS

BY TEOH YI CHIE

Teoh Yi Chie is an infographics journalist who joined Urban Sketchers Singapore in 2009. He’s probably better known as Parka from Parkablogs.com, a website that reviews art books and art products.

This month Parka reviews watercolour and watersoluble graphite products, including Artgraf. Check it out!

o ur Manifesto

• We draw on location, indoors or out, capturing what we see from direct observation

• Our drawings tell the story of our surroundings, the places we live and where we travel

• Our drawings are a record of time and place

• We are truthful to the scenes we witness

• We use any kind of media and cherish our individual styles

• We support each other and draw together

• We share our drawings online

• We show the world, one drawing at a time.

© 2023 Urban Sketchers www.urbansketchers.org