Sketch Walk
Introduction
Making quick sketches whilst out for a walk helps to focus the mind, and allows you to really see what is around you. Spring is a great time of year to do this as each time you go out, something else has appeared. These quick sketches do not have to be works of art, merely quick line drawings to represent what you see.
Being sensible
Be aware of your surroundings, don't block pavements or entrance ways whilst sketching. If you live in a built up area it may not be possible right now to stop and sketch, only do so if you are in an area where there are no other people. If appropriate, use your phone to capture some key features you can sketch when you get back home. Alternatively, walk around your garden if you have one, or sketch the view from different windows in your home. Rooftops and street scenes are as interesting as trees and flowers.
What you need
Below are two of mine, the one on the left is from a walk around the Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh, and each sketch was timed with a stopwatch for 2 minutes. The one on the right are sketches of people who stood at the bus stop opposite my house one morning. What a motley bunch, especially the guy who kept winking! Have some fun!
Making quick sketches whilst out for a walk helps to focus the mind, and allows you to really see what is around you. Spring is a great time of year to do this as each time you go out, something else has appeared. These quick sketches do not have to be works of art, merely quick line drawings to represent what you see.
Being sensible
Be aware of your surroundings, don't block pavements or entrance ways whilst sketching. If you live in a built up area it may not be possible right now to stop and sketch, only do so if you are in an area where there are no other people. If appropriate, use your phone to capture some key features you can sketch when you get back home. Alternatively, walk around your garden if you have one, or sketch the view from different windows in your home. Rooftops and street scenes are as interesting as trees and flowers.
What you need
- A piece of A4 paper
- A pencil or pen
- Take an A4 piece of paper, fold in half width-ways, then in half again, then in half again. Crease. When you open up the paper you should have eight clear spaces.
- On your walk sketch a tree, plant, building or landscape with your pencil, spend only 2 minutes on each one at the most, remember it is about representing your walk, not creating a masterpiece. You don't have to create all 8 in one day, you could do one each day for a week.
Below are two of mine, the one on the left is from a walk around the Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh, and each sketch was timed with a stopwatch for 2 minutes. The one on the right are sketches of people who stood at the bus stop opposite my house one morning. What a motley bunch, especially the guy who kept winking! Have some fun!
Doodling with Zentangle
Anyone can doodle, Zentangle is a quick and easy way to draw, creating a myriad of patterns whilst relaxing. Please beware however, this is addictive.
A small Zentangle can be completed in a few minutes so it is a good activity for a coffee break or taking a few minutes out between online line activities or in front of the television at the end of the day. |
What you need
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What you do
Using the pencil
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Using the pen
Fill each section with some patterns, these are called “tangles”. These can be individual designs or repeated patterns. Inspiration Getting started https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o83c0oMtLAo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVI3Fbp2Yuk Patterns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TXdx0dqlVY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW7-uVzhavs Truly inspirational https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOctMIiWSRI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8qR_aBAdW0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4TGLlIu9Yk |
Making a Concertina Sketchbook
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