Textured Backgrounds, Specially Priced Art Supplies, and Online Workshops
Bright Textures, Discounts Codes for Art Gifts, and the online workshop you asked for!
Like many of you, I enjoy the occasional sketch on colored paper. So I thought I’d add texture to vibrant color this fall. (yes, it’s still fall-ish weather in California) And I documented it for those of you who might want to give it a shot… (Also, later in this newsletter: Art gifts and online workshops (with discount codes and early bird pricing).
VIBRANT TEXTURE
It’s December, but we still have color on the trees here in San Jose. So I dropped a pool of orange ink onto a big sheet of mixed media paper and used a hardware-store brush to add texture.
Next, I sketched on it. Since the orange ink I used wasn’t waterproof, using watercolor over it wasn’t an option. But my Neocolor II crayons worked well at blocking in and carving out the scene. I wanted to keep the vibrancy of the underpainting, but also knew I needed to tone it down.
Here is where I’ve landed. White crayon helped tone down the orange and quiet the texture in some areas.
I can imagine you using textured bases (in more subtle colors, perhaps?) to capture snowy scenes or wet days. If you are inspired to try this technique, I’d love to see it!
Just keeping it real: Experimental stuff like this often ends in crazy messes. I started on three versions of this scene, all together, and only managed to pull this one back. Here they all are. You can see that most of my experiments get the better of me :)
WORKSHOPS
ONLINE WORKSHOP with Early Bird Pricing
People Alive! Sketches Full of Life: March 2024
Date and Time: 4 Saturdays in March 2024: March 9, 16, 23 and 30, 8-10 am PDT
Location: Online on Zoom. Or watch the recording each week.
You asked for it, I brought it back: A four-week online workshop to get you sketching people without fear!
In this 4-week long, zoom-based workshop, we will consider many aspects of people sketching, starting with shape and contour drawing, then adding an understanding of proportions to take those sketches to the next level. We’ll explore gesture drawing to capture drama and action and take a closer look at drawing the head. Lastly, we'll move to principles and strategies that help bring people and places together for a sketch that tells a story.
All teaching is online from photos and videos but is geared towards learning to sketch on location.
Sign Up Now for Early Bird Pricing
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/people-alive-sketches-full-of-life-march-2024-tickets-769764324817?aff=oddtdtcreator
Use code EARLYBIRDDISCOUNT at checkout for 10% off your ticket price for a limited time.
Spring Sketching in Mixed Media: A Celebration of Color in Santa Fe
Last few spots in this spring 2024 color-filled workshop with Maru Godas and me. We’re excited to teach some of our favorite color-forward techniques inspired by the colors of Santa Fe. Learn to use color—regardless of media—more fearlessly, boldly, and vibrantly in your art. More details and signups are here.
Last Space: A Gateway to India 2024
We’ve had a last-minute spot open up for the workshop in India in January 2024. Read about the workshop here.
ART GIFTS with special discount codes
Looking for Art-centric Gifts that don’t cost the earth? Here are some of my favorites.
• Art supplies
- Some of my absolute favorite purchases this year have been from St. Louis Art Supply. Be warned: you might be going down a rabbit hole of wonderful art materials! Use the code SUHITASKETCH at checkout for $5 off your order. They carry the Sailor Fude Pen I love so much.
- My current palette is the Folio Palette from Art Toolkit. They have a range of palettes and art supplies that are great for the compact kit urban sketchers need. Use the code SUHITA10 at checkout for a 10% discount until December 15th.
• Buy prints from artists. I bought myself and my family prints as gifts this year.
- I knew I needed this piece from Arizona-based artist Shachi Kale as soon as I saw it. Use coupon code HOME23 for a 10% discount on this print until Dec 15th.
- Loving this print from Nina Khashchina’s Etsy store. It will be brightening up my kitchen very soon!
• Thank you for your support this year, whether it was through taking a workshop, joining my Sketch-Together sessions or simply reading the newsletter and blog ! You can buy my books here and here on Amazon or directly from me (they come signed or with a note if you like). My Etsy store selling prints of my work is here. Use the code SKETCH1THANKS for 15% off any purchase.
You can also gift (yourself or a friend) a monthly Sketch-Along session with a wonderful community that sketches together. Below are some collected sketches from participants in one of the sessions.
Gift a subscription right here starting at as little as $7 for a single session. If you pick a single session, check the box next to "Schedule for later" and select your preferred month for the gift.
Or, get yourself a year’s worth of sketching sessions by hitting the button below.