And you wonder why I’ve been a little absent on social media? *pant pant*
I’ve been wanting to do a class on birds for a lonnnnnng time. Lots of requests for our feathered friends, and I had to decide which medium got to go first…it’s like picking between kids! Gah! But…I’ve been wanting to play with “loose” watercolor pencil to create some art, so that won out!
I’m calling it a “Level 4” class, which is not quite a “Level 5”; the 5 would require solid drawing skills, but birds are relatively easy – they’re a circle for a head, an oval for a body, just add wings and a tail. LOL. And I know LOTS of my students are totally ready for this much drawing – so they’ll be just fine with it!
Watch the preview or click to see it on YouTube.
However….
But I know lots would *like* to get to the point they’d feel comfortable drawing a bird, and even though I tell them birds are comparatively easy, I started thinking this week that I need to find a solution to help folks get over that hump.
I’ve recommended Drawing 101 to folks wanting to learn to draw – it covers perspective, shading, and so much more….and lots have loved that class. There’s also Whimsical Sketching, a class drawn in pen, and that’s nice and loose, but doesn’t teach much drawing, it’s more doodling. So I needed to offer something, maybe….in between them?
That’s when I came up with an idea for a class that I think could really help bridge the gap: 30 Days to More Confident Sketching! 30 days, 30 small videos, with FUN things to draw, but more realistic than the doodle classes, and less technical than Drawing 101. It’s even awesome for the Urban Sketching community, too – and artists in any discipline. The goals are to help students become confident that they can:
- create a quick sketch from real life or a photo
- make confident pencil strokes quickly and boldly
- get proportions somewhat close without having to trace or measure
- take one of Sandy’s crazy advanced classes and not freak out over having to draw something fancy
I’ve set this one at Level 2, which doesn’t mean you need Drawing 101 first – just that it’s going to be some work – 30 days straight ain’t for slackers, right? LOL! It’s also what’s called a “drip” class, explained in the video below – content becomes available slowly over the 30 days at the same hour of the day you made the original purchase. Hopefully that’s a good time for you to be online to access material, but you can always watch anytime after that hour.
Watch the sketching of the class logo in the video below and hear more about the class – and answer the question at the end of this post if you plan to take this class!
My question
Even though I launched the 30 Days class, I haven’t actually finished it. Okay, TBH I have three days done. LOL. But since lessons get revealed day by day I have some time to get them done!
I have a list of lessons for a bunch of the days, but I’m taking requests for what you might want to learn! No guarantees it’ll all be included, and complex topics will be simplified – for instance portraiture will NOT be covered – but there will be a lesson on sketching little people in street scenes. Remember the level of the class, we’re not going deep. 🙂
So given that, are there specific things you’d like to see covered for sketches?
Hi Sandy –
I am considering taking your watercolor JumpStart class from a couple of years ago. I’d just like a confirmation that all things are still going.
I’ve been painting for a few years, but having a hard time getting to work during this Covid 19 time. This class this looks like a good way to get me going and making the book will be extra fun!
Thanks and I hope all friends and family are well and you are still teaching!
Kathy Wipff
I’d Ike to see how to sketch flowers,, of course. Also animals, but not necessarily super realistic looking.
Dogs. Squirrels. Small critters for outside scene.
I’m definitely interested in this class, but still working on Colored Pencils Jumpstart–a Christmas gift. What I’d love to be able to do is a quick sketch of a landscape when I’m traveling! I’ve taught myself some basic drawing skill with some online classes and a good amount of practice, but haven’t had a steady practice now for over a year. This seems like the perfect way back in!
Dogs!!!
I’d like to see you teach about fish and cats…. not necessarily together. Also sketching a beach scene with different types of surf.
You’re the best!
I still have to start the Pencil jump Class that Santa bought me, so happy with that.
But my health is in the way and I have to get it back on the road first and than it’s time to take my class.
And about the oter classes, well perhaps when Santa brings me one again, first enjoy this one.
I would love to take this class someday! How about boats. A simple sailboat, in various orientations, and a rowboat or canoe would be pretty simple and a great addition to simple scenes.
Love this! I’ll confess I didn’t make it through drawing 101. It was a bit much for me at the time. And a bit slow for my lack of patience (I mean 0.0001 patience level).
I understand how to create depth when I draw a box so it looks 3D. And a pond is an ellipse not a true circle due to perspective. But when I draw a scene, even a simple one, it comes out super flat. It looks like an elementary school sketch. Lol
so how can I take the basics of perspective and shading of boxes and circles and apply that to something even a little more complex?
I love the idea of the 30 day sketching class. I am planning on taking this class, as this is an area I’ve wanted to grow in, and I think this is the push I need to get there. I would love a lesson on how to add movement to your drawings.