The Art of Sketching

Original sketch of the Pioneer Café by Lee Papworth

What is the difference between sketching and drawing?  Sketching should be more intuitive, spontaneous and quick.  Whilst drawing more considered and a slower process. Both should be equally well observed.  

In my opinion sketching can be done for two reasons. It can be a preparatory sketch or sketches for a painting. Alternatively it can be a standalone piece that is intuitively drawn and captures the essence of the subject.  Either way a pencil sketch or a watercolour sketch should take no more than five to ten minutes.  I find that if it goes beyond ten minutes you will lose the spontaneity of what you have observed.  Below are a few examples of my recent sketches of the local area all of which took between eight and ten minutes:

Original watercolour sketch of Bonchurch Old Church by Lee Papworth

Original sketch by Lee Papworth

Original sketch of Bonchurch Old Church by Lee Papworth

Original sketch of Shanklin Beach by Lee Papworth

Sketching is a great way to improve your composition skills and exploring mark-making whilst using different pencils or paints.  Mostly it is a great way to improve your observation skills - 'observation is king' in any form of art!

If you would like to join any of my art courses or have 1-2-1 tuition please use the contact form on this blog post.

Happy Painting!

Lee Papworth 🎨

En Plein Air Paintings 2017

Original watercolour sketch of Shanklin Chine by Lee Papworth 2017

En Plein Air Tastic!

A few weeks ago a group of students and myself visited the Shanklin Chine to do some sketches and watercolour studies.  The course was well attended and very successful.  All students enjoyed the experience of drawing and painting outside.  They enjoyed visiting the Chine (some for the first time).

I personally did some watercolour sketches as well as teaching, helping and guiding the students create their own work.  You can see my sketches below.  For those of you thinking about doing watercolour sketching make sure that no sketch lasts more than ten minutes, if possible try to limit yourself to five to six minutes on each sketch.  This will keep your sketches fresh and not overworked.  Remember these are sketches are not meant to be finished works.  Happy sketching!

   

Original watercolour sketches of Shanklin Chine by Lee Papworth 2017

On sunny days during the spring and summer I often go en plein air painting on the Island.    I take my oil paints, white spirit, brushes and prepared canvas. My first painting was of the War Memorial on Sandown Esplanade with Culver in the distance and the next was of a ramshackled old hut on Lake Beach with the cliffs towering behind.

Unfinished original oil painting of Sandown War Memorial by Lee Papworth 2017

This is me in action!!! (taken by a very helpful holidaymaker)

Unfinished original oil painting of Lake Beach by Lee Papworth 2017

Both of these paintings are unfinished even though I spent just over two hours on both of them.  The main reason is that it is very tiring working in the blazing sunshine or when it rains.  You also use a lot of physical energy and it is mentally tiring because of the quickness of decisions that need to be made plus you are constantly having to converse with the general public who are interested in what you are doing.  

All of these factors add to the enjoyment and excitement of painting outside.  I recommend that everyone paints directly from the source, as observation is king!

In my next blog post I will let you know further details of forthcoming courses in September.  If you wish to know the dates and course details I am delivering please look at the last post.

Happy Painting!

Lee 🎨