Together in this class, we'll review a streamlined process to improve your sketching and observational skills, and refine your style.

My work has been called whimsical, minimal, stylized and midcentury inspired. Let me show you the process I used to hone my style.

I’ll demonstrate how you can develop your very own sketching shorthand using shapes, lines and forms, that you can use to make beautiful illustrations, and surface pattern designs - perfectly, imperfect - and full of your spirit and character.

We’re going to get down to basics with a pencil and paper, practicing this technique, studying responsibly sourced references of vases and vessel-like objects.

When you're finished this class, you'll have a stockpile of your own sketches to pull from when drawing vases and vessels.

More importantly you’ll learn observational and drawing techniques, to help you develop what I call a sketching shorthand. This will enhance how your eyes process visual information, and ultimately, how you and your hand express yourself in your work.

On a deeper level, you'll check in with your mind's eye. You'll learn how to analyze and group symbols and patterns in your sketches, internalizing them for a better understanding of your style moving forward.

You can start to lean less on references and more on your imagination.

All skill levels are welcome! This class is for anyone:

Interested in improving their sketching and observational skills, or refining their style.
Excited for a unique, conceptual take on sketching subjects.
Creative or aspiring:
- Including but not limited to - artists, illustrators, typographers, photographers, designers, stylists, etc.
- New or experienced.
- Hobbyists or professionals.

This class/technique will help you:

Study any new subject matter.
Find inspiration to use in fresh ways.
Streamline your workflow, focusing your sketches.
Gain a jumping off point to avoid the dreaded blank page when working solo or faced with a creative brief or commission.
Develop motifs in unique unexpected ways for building a pattern or a collection.
Understand and apply principles of visual design (negative space, juxtaposition, closure, forced perspective, etc.).
Hone your personal style.
Glean new insights both off and on the canvas. Connecting not only with others, but to yourself and your work, seeing your surroundings in a new way.
Gain confidence learning to better express your ideas in your style.
Avoid overwhelm, channeling a relaxed mindset to enjoy researching and conceptualizing work when faced with a new subject.
Save time (time you can put back into making work more enjoyably)
Share your process easily on social channels. Pair low pressure videos of you sketching with final and detail shots of your work to give your friends a well rounded story of your process and a window into your creative world. Inspiring others to connect with you and your work.
Spark your curiosity, imagination and creativity.

You'll step away with:

A stockpile of your own sketches to pull from when drawing vases and vessels.
Templates to arrange them
An optional finished piece of art for your walls or portfolio
Additional resource links

When I started practicing illustration I was seeing a disconnect between the work I wanted to make and what I was making. I was in awe with beautiful inspiration around me but wasn't feeling this resonate in my work. Through trial and error, I developed a sketching shorthand of sorts, that helped me gain a greater connection to my art.

I made this class to save you a few steps.

I'll share some real time decisions I make and why, like how to own your imperfections right down to different ways to hold a pencil.

This class isn't how to draw a vase 101 - a rigid step by step how-to like you'd imagine in art class.

Instead of pouring your inspiration into a literal mould, drawing what you see, true to life, this sketching process should feel as if you’re sculpting a one-of-a-kind work out of fresh clay.

Class Intro Music: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos

Class Lessons Intro Music: https://www.joshwoodward.com/

Wendy H.

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