Assignment:

In this class, you have the opportunity to choose between two exciting projects that will elevate your travel sketching skills. Each project focuses on a different aspect of capturing the essence of a place and incorporating storytelling into your sketches. Feel free to choose the one that resonates with you the most, or if you're feeling adventurous, you can even combine elements from both projects into a single masterpiece!

Project 1: Capturing the Essence of the Place

Your task is to create a travel sketch that vividly captures the essence of a place you've visited or wish to visit. Dive into your sketchbook and bring the location to life on the pages through careful observation, attention to detail, and thoughtful use of colors and textures. Whether it's a bustling city street, a serene natural landscape, or a cozy café tucked away in a charming alley, let your sketch transport viewers to that special place and evoke the emotions and memories associated with it.

Project 2: Storytelling in Travel Sketching

For those who are eager to infuse their sketches with narratives, this project is for you. Choose a location that sparks your imagination and create a travel sketch that tells a captivating story. Incorporate elements such as characters, objects, or scenes that evoke a narrative within the place. Capture movement, emotions, and interactions to bring your sketch to life and engage viewers in the unfolding story. Your sketch should transport them into the scene, leaving them curious to know more about the tale you've depicted.

Materials:

For both projects, you have the freedom to choose the materials that best suit your artistic style and preferences. Here are some recommendations to get you started:

Sketchbook: Opt for a sketchbook with quality paper that can handle your chosen mediums.
Drawing Tools: Use pencils, pens, or markers of your choice to create outlines, add details, and enhance your sketches.
Color Mediums: Explore the use of oil pastels, watercolors, colored pencils, or any other medium that allows you to bring color and vibrancy to your sketches.
Masking Tape: Include masking tape in your materials list to create a designated area in your sketchbook with a 16:9 ratio. This will allow you to experiment with a cinematic composition and add a unique touch to your travel sketches.

Sennelier oil pastels used in this Project 1:

017 violet grey
230 rose ochre
236 coral
016 grey green
001 white
074 yellow lake

Sennelier oil pastels used in this Project 2:

230 rose ochre
001 white
016 grey green
074 yellow lake
220 permanent intense red
080 indigo light

Getting Started:

Before diving into your project, revisit the lessons in the class that cover the fundamentals of travel sketching, capturing the essence of a place, and incorporating storytelling elements. Take inspiration from the techniques, tips, and examples shared in the class to inform your creative process.

Choose your preferred project or combine elements from both, keeping in mind the objective of capturing the essence of the place or telling a compelling story through your sketch. Research and gather reference material, whether it's photographs, videos, or personal memories, to inform your artistic decisions.

As a helpful resource, a reference video of the parks in Paris used in this class is available in the class resources. You can follow the demonstrations in the video or use it as inspiration for your own travel sketch.

Sharing Your Work:

Once you've completed your project, it's time to share your artistic journey with the class. Upload your final illustration and progress shots to the "Your Project" section. Feel free to share insights about your creative process, the challenges you faced, and the emotions or narratives you aimed to convey through your sketch.

Monica Tiff

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