What’s All the Fuss About Sketching?

What’s All the Fuss About Sketching?

Sketching or drawing, painting and scribbling on location, while waiting for the bus, standing in line or a quick dash of a moment that just can’t be missed is essential for every artist.Sketching is like taking visual notes or keeping a diary. It can also be used to remember ideas, good future painting locations or to stave off boredom while endlessly waiting for public transportation here in Rome.

 

A sketch done in my journal while waiting for the tram in Rome. The best part about sketching is that you don’t even have to be an “artist” to do it, it could be for anyone. There’s no pressure to make something brilliant or to prove your genius to the world. In fact you never have to show your sketches to anyone if you don’t want to. You don’t need much, just a pencil or pen that you’re bound to have in your bag and even a scrap piece of paper.

 

 

Here is a quick pen sketch of the Colosseum while waiting to meet a friend. I have to tell you the truth, I didn’t always like to sketch. For years I had rows of empty sketch books with a few scribbles in them. Intimidated by the sheer number of blank white pages staring back at me I never felt quite up to the task of filling them.When I moved to Rome and met the Urban Sketchers here, all of that changed and sketching became fun and a way to goof around, experiment and take visual notes without the time, commitment and pressure of producing a finished painting.

 

 

This was done while taking a break in the shade at Ostia Antica. Because of my new found love and enthusiasm for sketching, I decided to go public and invent what is called Sketching Rome Tours. The idea is to teach people who want to learn and see Rome in a completely new and personal way the art of sketchbook journaling. It’s one of the most satisfying things about my job: watching the incredibly fun and creative sketches that people who swear that they are not artistic come up with. I’m blown away every time.

 

Melissa and her brother who came all the way from Canada sketching in Rome’s Pincian terrace. In reality every artist should sketch, especially since it encourages new ways of thinking about your work and without any pressure, it’s a free playground. Drawing will always be at the foundation of a solid painting, so finding a way that you enjoy to fill up those sketchbooks is essential.

 

 

handmade sketchbooks by yours truly for Rome Sketch Tour participantsSo what are you waiting for? Put down that cell phone next time your on the bus and sneak a sketch of the guy nodding off across the way, you’ll get a good laugh and when you look at your sketch you’ll always remember that moment and smile.

A sketch of Portico di Ottavia inRome’s Jewish Ghetto

You can learn more about Sketching Rome Tours here or go to our Facebook page and show off some of your own sketches.

 

Upcoming Exhibition:
Itenirari d’Amore: Tavolette, Taccuini e Fotogrfie di Viaggio Studio-9 May 10-30 Opening Reception Friday, May 10 6:30 p.m. Gallery Opening Times: Tuesday-Saturday 11-13 and 17-19 Sunday open by appointment RSVP Here

 

Upcoming Workshops

Too many to list here,Click here to see and participate in upcoming sketchbook journaling or plein air oil painting workshops in various locations around Italy.