The Art of Sketching People

Sketching is an art that anyone can learn! As an avid sketcher I can guide you with some key tips and techniques to get you started. You will soon be hooked in no time!

We love to draw subjects that intrigue us and people are fascinating to observe and sketch. I will take the mystery out of how and where to start with some simple but effective sketching exercises. All Levels Welcome.

Core skills needed to get you started sketching people on location: Proportion and basic anatomy to help you sketch a convincing figure. How to make a confident representational sketch of people. How to simplify what you see and capture the energy of a pose You will be taught through practical demonstrations by the tutor and with the support of reference material.

Advice on sketching materials to achieve different effects when sketching moving figures, light and shadow, character and gestural poses. A practical guide on where and how to start sketching in public spaces. Materials provided: Practice paper, a variety of different dry media to try, watercolour pencils, water pens/brushes.

Please bring an A4 or A5 Sketchbook of your choice and an enclosed pencil sharpener. This workshop focuses on the use of dry media for sketching so it doesn’t require heavy thick paper. Although we will be using a water pen for some of the exercises.

However please make sure the surface isn’t shiny and look for a sketchbook with good quality cartridge paper. My favourite sketchbooks are both affordable, support sustainability and are good quality. They are the Seawhite eco Sketchbooks (soft back covers).

Check your local art shop or look online. If you already have a sketchbook, please bring it along. Doors will open for the workshop at 10.15am ready for a 10.30am start.

This is a classroom based workshop to build your confidence in sketching people. There will be another workshop planned to then put into practice what you have learnt and take you out sketching. Amanda is a local Yorkshire Artist and Arts Educator with a passion for drawing on location and sharing her enthusiasm on her courses for recording everyday life through the medium of sketchbooks.

She has spent many years documenting live events and sketching people in situ. Feedback: 'A very full day which exceeded my expectations with a lot of excellent tips and techniques. I can't wait to get practising!' 'What an absolutely amazing day!

Gone far too quickly but I learnt so much!'