The Joy of Travel Journaling
Location: North Valley Location
Room: FCF Holland Community Center
Oct 11-Nov 15, 2010
Meets 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
on Mon
Tuition: $270.00
Level: All Levels
Status: This program has been canceled
Ever wonder why we rarely look at our travel photos? Perhaps it’s because taking a photo requires so little investment of one’s attention that actual memories of the moment are scant. Not so with even a brief sketch and some notes in your journal. While I still take loads of pictures, it’s invariably my journals that, even 32 years later, vividly evoke wonderful places and events of our travels! Sketching on location slows your pace, as you observe a scene for minutes, not just seconds. Regardless of skill level, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your drawing improves... within hours! Prepare to visit (and sketch) at several of the North Valley’s most interesting locales, and to gain a new perspective on sketching, journaling, travel, and even watercolor itself. Because we keep a journal solely for our own pleasure, you needn’t be an accomplished artist. Beginners are especially welcome.
Instructor -- Lewis B. Lehrman
Lew Lehrman graduated from the Graphic Arts program at Carnegie Institute of Technology, studied at Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute, then spent three decades in commercial art and illustration before becoming a professional watercolorist in 1984. He has been an instructor in watercolor (here and elsewhere) since 1991. He is also well known for his six books, published by North Light and by International Artist Books. He served as Founding North American Editor of International Artist Magazine.
- The only real requirement for journaling is to travel light and be comfortable. Everything you need should fit into a large pocket
- or a commodious handbag. Here’s my preferred equipment, in its entirety:
- SKETCHBOOK: Look for one with a spiral binding that opens flat, with paper that’s heavy enough not to buckle too much when wet. At the other extreme, sketch books of heavy watercolor paper tend to be too costly to encourage the kind of “waste” we sketchers/
- journalers thrive on. My own favorite is the Aquabee #808. 6” x 9” is the optimum size for this class. 8-1/2” x 11” is a practical
- maximum.
- WATERCOLORS: A pocket palette will last you forever because it may easily be refilled from tubes as the colors give out. More expensive doesn’t mean better. Check your local art supply store and see which ones you like best. Popular brands include Winsor &
- Newton, Cotman, Talens, Van Gogh, Holbein. There are many others as well. Do the following before the workshop: (1) Unwrap
- all the individual pans. (2) Discard the white and black pigments (which you’ll never use) and replace with Windsor-Newton Cobalt Violet and Permanent Rose purchased as half-pans or squeezed from tubes. (3) Secure each of the plastic pans to the palette with a drop of nail (“Crazy”) glue. (4) Secure all pigment cakes to their pans with a drop of water.
- BRUSHES: The above sets usually include a too-small (#0) brush. You’ll need one or two larger ones as well. A medium priced #4 and a #6, will find good use. I particularly like the Isabey pocket brushes (so-called because the have telescoping handles), and especially the #6202 squirrel hair mop. Cheap Joe’s (online at www.cheapjoes.com, telephone 800-227-2788) carries these, as
- do some of the other mail-order and online sources. Daniel Smith (online at www.danielsmith.com, telephone 800 426 6740
- carries a wide variety of folding travel brushes. For a lower cost alternative, cut down the handles of two reasonably good quality watercolor brushes (a nicely pointed #4 and a #6) so they fit into your portable kit.
- And other stuff...
- Sketch pens. My current favorite is the Pigma Micron, in the .01 size. It has permanent, waterproof, fade-proof black ink and a fine point. There are many similar pens on the market today. All come in varying point widths. Buy several. They’re cheap and disposable. Test before you buy! Just make sure the ones you buy are labeled “permanent” (won’t fade with time) and “waterproof” (won’t run when you watercolor over them). Thin lead mechanical pencils(.05 mm). Buy several of the cheapest you can find. Buy a package or two of 2B leads and replace all the hard lead that comes pre-filled in these pencils.
- Miscellany: Kneaded rubber eraser; Pink Pearl eraser; Pocket packs of Kleenex; A tiny (1 oz.) Cosmetic spray bottle for water; An empty film canister which can serve as your water container; Small zipper pouch into which everything (maybe even your sketchbook) will fit.
- WHAT TO WEAR: We will be out and about most days. Jeans, sweatshirts, comfortable shoes are fine. Arizona can be chilly in the morning, warm in the afternoon, and chilly again in the evening, so plan on layers you can shed or add. A hat with sun visor is a must.
- Long sleeves are preferred. Wear UV-blocking sunglasses. Bring sun block. A travel umbrella might come in handy too (for
- sun, not rain). Most every place we’ll go will have places to sit. However, if you have a lightweight, highly portable seat, you might consider bringing it.
- FEEL FREE TO CALL ME (480 391 2640) IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!