Drawing in public spaces
New 2024 color theory workshops and feeling comfortable drawing in public
In this post…
New workshops
Beginning watercolor mixing zine
Getting comfortable drawing in public spaces
San Francisco Bay Area in-person drawing meetups
New in-person beginner watercolor workshops
I’ll be teaching two watercolor theory workshops this fall at Arch Supplies. Each workshop can be taken independently. There will be some overlap in techniques. The concepts will be different and useful in whatever your level of color theory knowledge. Get a discount on both classes by purchasing the color theory workshop bundle!
Sunday, Oct. 13: Watercolor theory and pigment basics
From three colors to many; create a wheel of color possibilities
Sunday, Nov. 10: Nature and neutrals watercolor theory
Create essential blends: Blues, grays, and greens using a limited color palette
Key takeaways from both classes
Understanding the basic properties of watercolor as a medium
Understanding pigment basics
Transferable color concepts that apply to mediums, like gouache, acrylic, oil, or ink
Creating tools to use while building a watercolor practice
And more activities unique to each class!
Please let me know in the comments if I can answer any questions about the classes!
Beginning watercolor mixing Zine
If you’re unable to take the workshops but interested in some guidance for color mixing I have a zine available in my shop. Included is a bit of watercolor to get you started and activities printed on 100% cotton paper along with instructions.
Drawing in public spaces alongside community
Recently while eating lunch with friends and family, I was asked, how did I become comfortable drawing in public? The question came from a friend who went to art school, received an MFA, and expressed having feelings of perfectionism stand as a barrier to drawing in public spaces.
The question sparked a free flowing conversation within the group about navigating those sorts of anxieties and where they come from. We landed on some of it coming from learned patterns instilled during pursuits like education, societal competitiveness, and internal self-critique (a whole bag of worms).
In the conversation my mom had a good analogy; that having an art practice is like going to the gym. You can’t expect that after one visit you’ll suddenly have huge biceps. So it would be true that those anxieties aren’t going to disappear through one experience drawing in public. But maybe after many, it gets easier, just as it’s easier to pick up more weight. Awareness of anxiety is key to working with it.
I’ve had these anxieties myself. Practice is how I view creating art in public spaces. When I’m drawing or painting out in the world I view it similarly to going on a leisurely walk. The act of going on the walk, and keeping up the practice, is more important than the end result. It is of course nice if I like the end result or something about the end result. When I finish a walk I never wonder why I didn’t do it some other way.
Since the discussion I’ve continued to ask myself, how did I become comfortable drawing in public?
Feeling relaxed drawing in public arose through various experiences and finding the tools I like to work with most. If there’s one thing the experiences have in common, it’s creating in the company of others. Having the company of others made the most impact in dealing with imperfection in art.
There’s a unique creative group here in S.F. called Social Sketch that’s been dormant since Covid, but for many years I attended regularly. Attendees were encouraged to create unfinished work for others to then pick up and add on too. I remember the feeling of not wanting to “ruin” the art of someone else when it landed in front of me. But what actually happened was fun collaborations and lots of laughter.
People are nice. And in every creative space I’ve been in people are likely to serve up a positive comment about something. Sometimes this happens from unexpected encounters. While I was drawing the skate event above a pre-teen kid walked up to me and said “I love your drawing.” That was the exclamation point to that adventure of drawing in public.
Approaches for getting comfortable drawing in public spaces
Define the goal. Is the goal to have fun, get better at a technique, work with a specific medium, or something else?
Do you have portable materials?
Would you feel more comfortable drawing in quiet spaces or lively spaces?
Is there a space you already feel comfortable in that you could bring your art supplies to?
Would it be helpful to invite a buddy?
After the drawing excursion reflect on what worked and what didn’t.
Local (Bay Area) Free or almost free in-person drawing meetups
There’s likely a drawing meetup to find in your local area for creating in the community of others. I’ve gathered a list for local San Francisco, Bay Area events and will keep this as an on-going list as I hear of others. Please comment if you know of a regular event!
Most Tuesday evenings: Figure drawing at Madrone Art Bar
I’ve never attended but know it’s very popular and usually accompanied by music.
Friday evenings: Communal drawing table at The Drawing Room Annex
Set in a gallery space with live music. Supplies are provided.
Every Thursday evening: Drink and Draw at Eli’s Mile High Club
Often provide prompts and collaboration.
3rd Thursdays Drink and Draw: SF Artsy Stuff meetup at 540 Rogues
Discounted drink ticket with RSVP. Bring whatever you’re working on. Sometimes there are fun surprise activities.
Most Saturday and Sunday mornings: SF sketchers (locations change every weekend)
Outdoor and indoor settings. Draw somewhat independently and then come together to reflect positively on each other’s work. It’s neat to see how everyone has a different approach to creating art in the same setting. There are Urban Sketchers groups in many locals to search for while traveling or in your home town.
Creativity on the horizon
Over the summer I’ve been prototyping a couple of new ceramic art tools. I’ll be moving into production with them along with ceramic watercolor palettes to make available during the holiday season.