Sketchbooking with Steve BonDurant

Keeping a small watercolor sketchbook is a great way to improve your observational skills and create for yourself, especially when setting up an easel doesn’t fit your plan. This workshop is for all skill levels, with or without watercolor experience, and is far less formal than a traditional watercolor class. In addition, because the method is exceptionally compact and portable, it’s very conducive to travel and capturing a scene on impulse. It starts with an ink rendering, followed by building values and color with a tiny watercolor kit with water brushes. The subject matter can vary from an outdoor landscape to a tabletop still-life or the interior of a diner or a coffee shop. Each time you commit 30 to 60 minutes to a sketch, you develop your drawing skills and the courage to try renderings of subject matter that you might not pursue when setting up your easel with a fresh canvas. The intimacy of creating something for you (and not someone else) releases the freedom to explore, and your other work in drawing and painting will improve.

This program is an opportunity to try it! After an introduction to the mentality and materials, followed by a demonstration, those who wish to participate are invited to do so. You can bring your own materials, or a limited supply will be available for on-premise purchase, courtesy of Rochester Art Supply.

Materials:

• Small watercolor sketchbook (my favorite is Beta Series from Stillman & Birn)
• Uniball Vision Micro or Micron waterproof black pen
• Pocket watercolor palette (i.e. Koi or Cotman)
• Pentel Aquash water brushes (the flat is my favorite)

Participants should also bring small still-life elements (toys, fruit, flowers, knickknacks, etc.) to sketch.

The program is limited to the first 24 who register by sending an email to Suzi Zefting-Kuhn (suzizeftingkuhn@gmail.com). The cost is free to RAC members or $10 for non-members (please mail a check payable to Rochester Art Club, 1237 E Main St, Studio 415, Rochester, NY 14609).