Date : June 9-13, 2008
Duration : 5 days, 10 am to 5 pm
Location : Holiday Inn, West Yellowstone, Montana

---

These informal workshops are designed for artists of all abilities, from novice to advanced, and who have a desire to take their drawing to a new level of realism. Weather permitting, a trip to the nearby Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center will assist you in taking usable reference photos, with advice on what to look for, what to avoid, and how to see real life in terms of a monochrome drawing. Artists and photographer Rich Adams (www.RichAdamsPhoto.com) will be on hand to assist further.

Presentations by Rich Adams are scheduled:

• Digital photography - session #1
• Digital photography - session #2
• Digital image workflow - Printing

There is a nominal charge for these presentations - full details and booking form

Realism is achieved by closely studying textures, and then mastering the ways to interpret them and commit them to paper. These workshops will provide you with a greater ability to explore and understand textures, the techniques required to render them in a believable way, and you will learn both the "how" and the "why". Whatever your present ability, you will leave with a new-found knowledge of how to draw and use textures to the benefit of your work.

Paper, pencils and all other necessary supplies are included. However, if you prefer to use your own favourite pencils and tools, please bring them with you. We hope to have a number of table-top drawing boards available but, if you can, please bring your own.

A number of Mike's original drawings will be made available so you can study them in close detail, and Mike will be happy answer all queries and demonstrate specific techniques used. Please feel free to bring examples of your own work along.

The workshops are limited to about 25 students each to ensure individual attention.

Cost: £50.00 per day  •convert currency

Price includes Equipment Pack comprising:

• Sheets of Mellotex plate-finish paper (12" x 16") as required
• 1 each Staedtler Mars Lumograph pencils - 4B, 2B, H, 2H, 4H
• 1 Staedtler vinyl art eraser
• 1 pack Blu-Tack
• 1 Pencil sharpener
• 1 Blending tortillon

For your use:

• Table-mounted Drawing boards may be available. Please bring your own if possible.
• Assortment of drawing tools and aids

TWO PLACES AVAILABLE (all five days): Please without delay to secure your place.

This workshop is flexible to take into account your present level of ability. The daily itinerary has now been finalised as follows:

DAY 1: In the morning, after a short initial drawing session, you will receive tuition on graphite pencil techniques including pencil points and the application of line and tone, and a series of brief exercises to accustom you to drawing on Mellotex. This will be followed by demonstrations and exercises using blending, layering and creative erasing. The Afternoon will begin with an introduction to Negative Drawing followed by a variety of exercises to acquaint you with this way of working. In the last hour work will begin on the drawing that you will be working on tomorrow.


DAY 2: This day will be loosely structured and you will be working on the drawing we began yesterday afternoon. I will be happy to advise you on any aspect of drawing and will demonstrate any technique you wish to see. Please do ask! Usually these informal demonstrations are prompted by one or two people that soon grows to a small group. I will also have a selection of prints and a few original drawings for you to view. If you've only booked these first two days you're welcome to join us tomorrow morning at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center.


If you wish to complete your workshop drawing at home, send scans or photos to me at any stage for inclusion in the Workshop Plus online resource - your workshop does not stop the moment you leave the building!

DAY 3: In the morning, we will meet at 10am at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center where we will study what to look for in choosing and using natural subjects, and how to see colour in terms of black & white textures and contrasts. Photographer and artist Rich Adams will be on hand to offer advice with your photography.

After lunch I will offer advice on using photographs as reference sources, including advice on composition using a variety of reference sources. This will be followed by an exercise involving the technique of indenting. There will then be a series of exercises for your enjoyment and instruction, designed to increase your knowledge and handling of the techniques learned so far - including the creation of textures, such as hair and weathered brick.


DAY 4: In the morning, after completion of a short exercise on erasing, three further exercises will explore the negative drawing of textures including a leaf, rusty metal and wood. During this session I will be available to further demonstrate these techniques to small groups. The morning will finish with advice from me on "creating your own world" (or "how not to be a slave to photographs"!)

In the afternoon, you and your fellow students will begin working on identical drawings (reference sources and guideline drawing provided for each student).


DAY 5: The day will be spent working on your final drawing. This last day has an informal structure so I can cover any subject you wish to raise at any time during the day - including demonstrations as required. At the close, all the drawings may be displayed for a group critique and discussion - you are not expected to have completed the drawing!



If you wish to complete any workshop exercise at home, send scans or photos to me at any stage for critique and advice in the Workshop Plus online resource, where I will also offer advice or assistance with any aspect relating to the content of your workshop - Your workshop continues after you leave!