The Daily Bulletin

The Burchfield Penney Art Center will offer a three-day Pocket Sketching workshop with instructor Kath Macaulay October 14–16, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Whether you're a raw beginner or a professional artist, Pocket Sketching is for you. In just three days, participants will learn the technique to sketch landscapes, still life, and people. This is a hands-on workshop where participants begin indoors and work the last day on location. Exercises are aimed at working quickly and fearlessly. The class immediately enters advanced watercolor techniques because of the use of the water soluble pen. Macaulay offers frequent demonstrations and critiques. Lots of one-on-one support. 

The 4-by-6-inch format totally portable and non-obtrusive. It can go anywhere in a pocket, purse, or fanny pack; hiking, kayaking, standing in line, riding a horse, journaling through Europe, or sketching a 'designer dinner' in a restaurant.

Kath Macaulay holds a B.S. in biology and worked for many years in medical research or medical marketing while painting competitively until deciding to devote her time to teaching. Her major art instruction experience is from four masters: Robert N. Blair of Buffalo, New York; Carl Cogar of Las Cruces, New Mexico; Nicholas Brigante of Los Angeles, California; and Bong Wai Chen of Portland, Oregon. Macaulay’s artwork is in collections throughout the United States and Canada with exhibitions in the U.S. and Mexico. She paints primarily en plein air using watercolor and has developed the painting technique Pocket Sketching, which she trademarked and teaches nationally.

Three-Day Breakdown

Day One: Technique with the Water Soluble Pen and Landscape
In the morning, participants will learn the technique for sketching with the water soluble pen, and then combine the pen with color using watercolors. No previous experience is necessary. Perspective lessons of contrast and color are included. In the afternoon, participants will work from photographs (furnished by the instructor) using both previous perspective lessons plus focal point and editing. This includes the use of wax, as used by John Singer Sargent in his watercolors.

Day Two: Still Life and People
In the morning, participants will begin with a still life emphasizing color, contrast, focal point, and the peculiar characteristics of the water soluble pen. Participants will learn how to edit in and out of a "gathered" still life. In the afternoon, concentration will be on the human figure.

Day Three: Plein Air
Paint outside and experience working among strangers, architecture, and color. Prove to yourself you can do this anywhere, in 25 minutes or less, without being interrupted.

Part of the International Center for Watercolor. The cost for the three-day workshop is $150 for members and $170 not-yet members. The cost for one day is $70 members and $80 not-yet members.

To register, please contact Kathy Gaye Shiroki, curator of museum learning and community engagement, 878-3549, or download the registration form (PDF) from the Burchfield Penney website.

Supply List (Instructor will bring supplies for purchase or bring your own.)

• Pilot Razor Point pen (water-soluble grey pen with the yellow circle on one end)
• Strathmore Drawing pad, 4-by-6 inches
• Winsor & Newton Cotman 14 half pan watercolor set
• 35mm film canisters with lid for water
• Manual of Pocket Sketching basic technique