Each Summit participant receives access to (1) workshop. All workshops will be held during the morning session (9:45 AM-12:45 PM). Download a workshop description and supplies list PDF here. Click on each instructor's name to access more of their work.
Capturing Moments in an Accordion Sketchbook
Instructor: Robin Ewers Carnes
Accordion sketchbooks are amazing for sketching a timeline of events, or a collection of favorite things. Every trip I take, I bring along an accordion sketchbook to document where we go, what I’ve seen, favorite foods I ate, and more. It’s a wonderful way to remember special things that a camera can’t capture. Whether it’s documenting a family vacation, your favorite recipes or even sketching your house plants, do it through the flow of an accordion style sketchbook. Sketches, stickers, dried flowers, and more can be added as well to encapsulate an entire experience in one little book.
I’ll walk you through how I have set mine up in the past and give you ideas on where you can start yours. You can even document your whole weekend in Cincinnati as a place to start! We’ll also go over my travel art supply set-up to make it easier to carry yours wherever you go!
Workshop Goals: My goal for this workshop is to inspire anyone to sketch what they see and experience, whether on a trip or in the house, regardless of skill level or perfection, as a way to remember special events all compiled in one little book.
Recommended Workshop Supplies:
- Accordion (or Zig Zag) style sketchbook, any size but roughly 4”x 6” or
A6 (5.8” x 4.1”) is best - Pencil, waterproof pens (such as MICRON), kneaded eraser, white opaque pen, brushes or water brushes, watercolors
- If you’re more comfortable with markers, or pencils, etc.,
that is completely ok!
“URBAN UGLIES”: How to make beautiful sketches
out of those areas most people overlook
Instructor: Wes Douglas
Workshop Description: “Urban Uglies” is based on my experience that so many things that we take for granted or overlook daily, can take on a more interesting perspective when viewed as a sketch. I started out by sketching cars that were in an accident (safely after the victims were treated and taken to the hospital, of course). That led to my awareness of broken pavement and brick walls, demolition projects, furniture that was falling apart, and objects that had broken down from the effects of time, age, and weather. I noticed that other people gained a fresh new perspective of these same objects through my sketches.
Recommended Workshop Supplies: Participants can use whatever medium they are most comfortable working in. Colored pencils, pen and ink, watercolors, or markers are all good. (I haven’t met an art supply I didn’t like.) I will use cross hatching to create texture and tone when I only have one pen and one sketchbook.
Simplify with Soluble INK
Instructor: Mary Jo Ernst
Workshop Description: In this class you will learn how to capture a moment or scene, on location quickly using only a water brush, soluble pen, white highlighter, and a sketchbook. Soluble inks allow sketchers to carry little while creating more and will be used to explore values and encourage a more expressive sketch style. This workshop is an excellent introduction to linework and values for beginners and for seasoned sketchers that are striving to loosen up with their artwork.
Workshop Goals: You will leave the workshop knowing how to assemble an easy, inexpensive setup and having expanded strategies to create more balance, drama, and movement in your artwork.
Recommended Workshop Supplies:
- Blue Pilot pen
- Watercolor paper block or sheets
- Pentel water brush
- White highlight pen
- Painter’s tape
- Handout to take home
- Magnetic binder clip
Richness & Simplicity: Sketching with Ink Pens & Brush Pens
Instructor: John A. Hancock
Workshop Goals: This workshop will cover:
- Choosing and editing a view for our sketch,
- Basic techniques for both permanent and water-soluble pen and brush-pen ink,
- Design strategies to balance visual richness with simplicity in our finished sketches,
- Editing, reviewing, and completing our sketch.
Recommended Workshop Supplies:
- Mixed-media/watercolor sketchbook, block, or sheets (200+ gsm)
- A non-water soluble/permanent ink pen (Pitt, Sakura, Copic, etc. or even a fountain pen with non-soluble/permanent/bullet-proof ink)
- A soluble ink pen (any is fine, e.g., a fountain pen with water-soluble ink)
- An ink brush-pen with synthetic or natural fiber (such as a Pentel Pocket Brush Pen)
- A brush, cup of water (or a water brush), and paper towel.
Sketching Highlights and Shadows Technique
Instructor: Andrew McQuilkin, FRDI
Workshop Description: This workshop will explore a technique of sketching dimension by defining only the highlights or shadows. By challenging and flipping the intuitive light-to-dark process we will build confidence in a high contrast view of the world: focusing in on only the positive or negative spaces. You will learn to create bolder drawings, with more depth. Simple perspective techniques and tricks will be covered to help strengthen your compositions. Working with thicker tipped black markers and white pens builds commitment to the process, where guidelines exist only in your mind’s eye. This “see it, draw it” technique strengthens not only your view of the real world, but also helps artists draw from
their imagination.
Workshop Goals:
- Learn high-contrast sketching techniques
- Learn simple perspective techniques
- Create volume and depth using only highlights or shadows
Recommended Workshop Supplies:
- 15-20 sheets of white sketchbook paper
- 10-15 sheets of black sketchbook paper
- Pens Recommended:
- Black - Sharpie (Ultra Fine and Fine Point), Black “Sign” Pen, LePen, Radidograph Pens.
- White - Gel Pen, Acrylic Pen, White-Out Pen, or Sharpie S-Gel.
Urban Sketching with Gouache
Instructor: Christina Wald
Workshop Description: Curious about gouache? This versatile, opaque watercolor is a favorite among urban sketchers and illustrators for its vibrant, matte finish and photogenic quality; perfect for sketchbooks and sharing online. This workshop will help you learn how to effectively use gouache for your sketches. Whether you're new to gouache or want to get faster, bolder results in your sketching practice, this workshop will give you the tips and tools to experiment.
Workshop Goals:
- Essential color palettes for sketching on location
- Best brushes for gouache
- Color mixing techniques
- Fast, efficient methods for layering and finishing
Recommended Workshop Supplies:
- Multimedia paper
- Cup for water
- Paper towel
- Flat brush (half inch is nice) and a 5-10 round brush with a good point
- Painters tape
- You can bring gouache, but it will be provided for experimentation.