Starting a sketching group? (Virginia)
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Hello everyone!
I'm thinking of ways to combat the isolation of online learning. Forums are great, but I think an in person sketching group would be really fun. Has anyone ever done this? If so, what's your advice to make it successful? How do you attract a good group of people at varied skill levels? I'm located in the Shenandoah Valley (not too far from Charlottesville, VA) if anyone is interested to join in on this. -
I have experienced the loneliness too. I'm in Utah though, sadly. Is there a studio near you that allows open studio time as well?
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You might see if there is a local center for the arts. Im in a small town in mn usa but the center for the arts in my town has an open studio night and ive met some other people there, its nice, although everyone does different stuff
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@Haley-Browning where in Utah? I’m in Utah Valley area
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@kayleenartlover I live in Utah Valley too!
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@Haley-Browning Oh cool! I wonder if there's more here haha maybe we can find a facebook group or something. I know SCBWI has one but haven't signed up for membership yet.
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I tried creating a sketch book pen pal/art trade with my students and a group online. Everyone bought a small sketchbook about 5x7 put their names and addresses in the back of the book. A list of participants names was made and each person traded/mailed the sketchbook to the same artist on the list after sketching, painting writing inside the sketchbook. In the end you get your sketchbook back with a collection of fellow artist sketches and you can even continue cycling through them. Just a thought.
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@kayleenartlover Me neither. I wonder if the SCERA art center has one.
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I run a sketchbook group in Bracebridge Ontario, every Wednesday night. So far it's going well!
I host it at the library when the weather is crappy and in the park adjacent to the library when the weather is nice. If the weather is bad than I bring in a collection of cool objects for people to draw inspiration from. If we're outside we do more of a plein air thing.
It was important to me to keep the club free to participate. It's also a casual drop in format from 6-8, so people can filter in and out as their schedules require. I run it under the premise that I will be there sketching whether I am alone or have company, but so far I've always had company. Every one is welcome, anyone can bring a friend, and so far everyone seems to really enjoy it.
I also always bring a couple extra sketchbooks in case someone is running late and can't stop home , or brings a friend etc.
It has been super fun! I you should definitely start up a group if you're inclined!
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@Tash this is exactly the kind of thing I want to do. Does your group all sketch the same subject/concept, it just hang out together while you work?
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@Cris-C this is such a neat idea!
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I encourage everyone to sketch what they find interesting. I'll bring a couple trinkets that would be fun to sketch so that people have a jumping off point if they're feeling stuck. But for the most part everyone does their own thing. Some people sketch eachother, some like to pull reference from photos, some like to draw the environment, some go for the objects. It's pretty loose. It's always interesting to me to see what people are drawn to.
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@Haley-Browning @kayleenartlover Hello, fellow Utahns
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@jvartandillustration Awesome! Where in Utah? Love your artwork by the way!
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@Haley-Browning Thanks! Im in Sandy. Your artwork is pretty great as well.
I think there may be quite a few more Utahns on here. Maybe it has something to do with Jake and Will’s ties to Utah? Maybe just a coincidence?
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@jvartandillustration @Haley-Browning Should we set up a discord chat or something, schedule an in person meet up sometime?
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@kayleenartlover I’d be down for that. I owe @J-Morgan-Looney an apology for jacking this thread, though.
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@jvartandillustration it's cool, it's cool.
