Welcome to the Developing Sketchbooks Skills & Approaches online course.
Developing Sketchbook Skills & Approaches aims to inspire and invigorate your sketchbook practice – whether you have been using sketchbooks successfully for several years or are new to sketchbook work. We really hope you find the course useful and we hope you’re excited about your sketchbook journey!
Please read the following carefully as it contains all the information you need to prepare for and access the course. If you have any concerns pls email info@accessart.org.uk
How does it Work?
The Developing Sketchbook Skills & Approaches course is made up of four modules, plus introduction. You can access these modules below:
Introduction
Taking Ownership of your Sketchbook
Collage & Visual Association Exercise
Exercises to Develop Drawing Skills
Giving Your Sketchbook Legs, and Time to Reflect
These exercises have been designed to help introduce you to some basic ideas in terms of sketchbook approaches, to help develop your “sketchbook habit”, and to provide you with a structured framework in which to practise your skills. The modules contain text, image and video. The video is hosted by YouTube so pls ensure You Tube is not blocked by your provider.
If you would like to print out the module, simple click “Print Friendly” at the bottom of the page.
Tutorial groups and feedback
When you have tried the assignments, you have the option to upload your work for the AccessArt artists and other people on the course to comment on. This is a valuable part of the course so we encourage you to share your work (and your experiences). Please choose any of the tutorial groups marked available at the end of each assignment to upload your work, and follow the instructions below. Please also browse other tutorial groups as we know you’ll find the images posted by other delegates and comments of use. Please feel free to make your comments on the work of others too.
To upload your work
If there is a page in your sketchbook that you would like to share, you can either scan it, or take a photo of it, and save a copy to your computer ready to be uploaded as follows. Please make sure your image is around 500 px wide (not much larger) and is saved as a jpg.
You may upload two images per assignment.
Peer to peer comments are encouraged, and AccessArt artists/tutors will also support you in constructive ways. Equally we would encourage you to comment on other students work if you feel inclined – just hit reply under the image and make your comment. AccessArt will comment on 1 of your images, per assignment.
Comments and images need to be moderated so may not appear straightaway.
Preparation for the course
In preparation for the course, pls ensure you have the following at hand, ready for the assignments.
General:
- Drawing Materials (black pen, pencil, charcoal, rubber etc)
- Paper (all kinds depending on preference)
- Scissors, Glue, Tape, String
Taking Ownership of Your Sketchbook
Either:
- Assorted papers (can be recycled, white, scrap, tracing, graph…)
- piece of corrugated cardboard
- large elastic band
And / Or:
- A bought sketchbook – any preference.
- Selection of paper as before (scrap, recycled, tracing, graph, envelops – whatever your preference)
Collage & Visual Association Exercise
It would be good to start collecting a pile of old magazines – if you can get your hands on old gardening supplements or nature magazines, they’ll come in handy and anything from children’s magazines to glamour. The source of imagery for this exercise can be completely random and eclectic, but it would be good to have a nice pile ready for the 25th June.
As well as magazines you can look out for old wrapping paper, printed paper, postcards, old photographs etc..
Exercises to Develop Drawing Skills
Simple drawing equipment as above (pencils and black pen).
Taking your Sketchbook into the World, and Reflecting
No special requirements.
