Introduce Yourself
Where do you live and what do you?
Have you done much sketching before or are you just starting?
What are your other creative pursuits?
Please include a link to your Flickr account, blog, Facebook page, Instagram, Tumblr etc.
So I’ll go first…
I’m Liz (I think you all know that!)
I live in Sydney, Australia. I’m an architect by profession and worked 20 years on a range of residential and commercial developments, specialising in media projects. I’ve always drawn as part of my work but in 2007 discovered watercolour and started my first daily sketchbook. I haven’t stopped sketching since!
I’m very interested in architectural history and theory and drinking tea out of fancy china teacups… but I’m guessing you all know that too!
You can find me on: Facebook, Flickr, Google+, Instagram and Twitter using the buttons under ‘Connect on Social Media’ in the footer of this website.
Now it’s your turn…
Hello! I’m D’Ann from Meridian, Idaho. I’m new to sketching just this year, thanks to two semesters of Sketchbook Skool. I loved Liz’s class, and i’m looking forward to jumping in to SketchingNow! Yes, I know I’m late for class…
Hi, I’m D’Ann from Meridian, Idaho, USA. I am semi-retired from teaching/librarian/mom to 3. Sketching is new to me this year since taking two semesters of Sketchbook Skool, and I loved Liz’s class!
Looking forward to learning new things from Liz again.
Hello, I’m D’Ann from Meridian, Idaho USA, semi-retired from teaching/librarian/mom to 3. I am new to sketchbooking this year, thanks to two semesters of Sketchbook Skool. I loved Liz’s class!
I’m looking forward to this class too. 🙂
A Native Northern Californian I live in Santa Cruz and am a Realtor by profession. Was introduced to a local Watercolor Journaling Group and they not only welcomed my inexperience but pointed me in this direction AND challenged me to do a sketch or w/c everyday w/o pencil, eraser or ruler for 75 days. I started 10/3 and figured it was the best birthday present I could give myself. Excited. Fearful and determined to put ego aside. I am starting this 2 weeks late and hope to catch up so I better get at it….
HI, Karla!
Hi DiAnnZ !!! Glad to see you here.
Are the other LAGGERS here yet? 🙂
Haven’t seen them… maybe they are skipping this step. I will go look for them.
Hello, my name is Elena, I am Italian and I currently live in Rome, Italy, where I work as an Interior Designer. I often have to sketch a piece of furniture or a room but my sketching is childish. I can use Illustrator, Auto-cad and Photoshop but most of the time I end having to sketch because the clients and the artisans understand better hand-drawing than computer-drawing.
I have a blog that speaks about decoration if you want to have a look
http://egiavarini.blogspot.it/
Thank you Liz for having me in your course.
(you can also download from the blog a free mini-guide of Rome where in the future I would like to add some sketches).
Hello, I am Corinne. I live in Arnhem in the Netherlands. I love sketching and hope to learn a lot during this course. So far I enjoyed it a lot. Is there anybody else following the course, who lives in the Netherlands?
Hallo Corinne, ik ben wel nederlandse, maar ik woon niet in NL, maar op Tenerife (Canarische Eilanden, Spanje). Groetjes, Willy Anderson
Hallo Willy,
ik heb je blog bekeken.Leuk!
Groetjes,
Corinne
Hi all, I’m Annette, and I am in the process of moving from deep south Texas (yes, we live 9 miles from the Mexican border and no, I am not afraid to go outside!), USA, to Louisiana, and am currently surrounded by boxes! I have been involved in photography, specifically nature photography, for several years, and, while I have enjoyed it very much, because I am outdoors all the time, I feel it’s now time to grab hold of my non-drawing ability and make it a drawing ability instead. I have an almost insane desire to sketch the world around me, and know that even though, right now, I am making rudimentary sketches, only practice will improve my drawing skills. Glad to meet everyone in cyber-school, and look forward to seeing everyone’s work. Liz, already, I have learned so much and thoroughly enjoy your teaching style. Thanks for making the time to create this course.
Hi everyone. I’m Elise, a fine art photographer branching out into sketching and watercolor. Just spent a fabulous 10 days at a watercolor sketching workshop in Tuscany with Brenda Swenson and am eager to continue the progress I made there. Looking forward to getting to know you all.
I’m Kelley from Boise, Idaho and put down my paints and pastels for almost 7 years after many years in the galleries. It’s time to start again and I’m ready to roll.
Hi, Kelley–I’m in Meridian! 🙂
Hi, Kelley, I’m in Meridian!
Hi, Kelley! I’m in Meridian 🙂
Hi, Kelley! I live in Meridian!
Hello, I’m Sandra and I live in the now FREEZING cold city of Libertyville, Illinois, USA. I have been doing art in one form or another for most of my life. I’ve spent about 35 years as a graphic designer and was a medical illustrator in the late 70’s (YIKES that was long ago!) I am also passionate about animal welfare, especially regarding feral and stray cats. I actually started a nonprofit that helps sterilize feral cats so they can live healthier lives and so the population of unwanted kittens is reduced. That and art fill me.
Hello Dawn hope you get to see this!
I can be at Notcutts on Monday or Wedsnesday morning of next week if you can make it! I am enjoying the course and will bring my sketchbook to the coffee are, if you are able to come at anytime on those two mornings. I have lots to learn- I seem to be saying that for quite a number of years now!
Best wishes
Mickied
Hi all, My name is Heather I live in Sydney. I loved drawing in high school but was turned off by a couple of teachers. One that loved my ideas so much she would take over and make me loose my vision (and I found I had to ask her what the next step was which took the fun out of my creation). And the second who I loved, but she started doing adult classes only which I was not able to join. So I guess you could say I lost my way. I started again a few months ago, have filled 3 sketchbooks and hope to fill a lot more 😀
It’s great to see some fellow Sydney siders!
Hello Everyone…My name is Paula and I live in Minnesota, a US state that borders Canada. I have always pursed art interests but was hooked on sketching about 2 years ago when I took an Urban Sketching class. It opened up big new worlds to me, not only in terms of drawing styles & public drawing (yikes) but the larger world with all of you sketchers out there. I have taken 3 Sketchbook Skool classes and a couple of Koesje Koene’s online classes as well. Love watercolor and drawing, music, travel and my family!. Look forward to learning and sharing a lot with everyone here.
Hi. My name is Sandra and I live in Langley, British Columbia, Canada. I was raised on the Northern end of Vancouver Island in a small town called Port McNeill. I have always drawn or created something since I can remember. I studied Graphic Design and Visual Arts in the big city before settling down back in Port McNeill. I moved to the big city (Langley) about 12 years ago and make my living as a commercial artist in the architectural glass world. I love what I do but I spend all my time on computers. I have been looking forward to retiring soon but that is still about 20 years away. I have been trying to get back to working with my hands and pens/pencils for years. When I came across Liz’s sketching blog and class, I thought this is MY KICK IN THE PANTS and make that time. I love all forms of art but my passion is Watercolour sketching and Calligraphy as you can see on my Pinterest page (Sandi Stephens). Really looking forward travelling and sketching my way through life and retirement. Thanks.
Hi Sandra, I live in Whistler & get to the Vancouver area fairly regularly, tho’ not so much out to Langley, maybe one day we can meet up and sketch together 🙂 Or if you’re in Whistler, there is a group of us who meet regularly to sketch at coffee shops or in the evening go to a pub (Drink & Draw – we’ve just started with those), life drawing etc. So let me know if you’re in town – teresabouchard@yahoo.com
Hi my names Cerena and I live in the country about 2 hours north east of Perth, West Aus. Great to read all about everyone and looking forward to improving my quick drawing skills. I have always done some sort of art during my life, though it was difficult when my kids were little. Now they have flown the nest I am just getting into enjoying time for me:)
Found Urban Sketchers while surfing the net and it struck a cord with me. Really looking forward to the next 12 weeks.
Thanks!
Welcome cerena from another sandgroper – from way down south
Hello, my name is Annette and I live in Germany near Cologne.
It’s nice to see so many familiar names that I know from SBS already. I’m a big fan of Liz’ structured and lively manner to teach and am looking forward to the next months together!
Hi, I’m Jean. I live north of Seattle, Washington near Puget Sound. As my login implies, I’m a VERY simple sketcher. I recently retired from a career in engineering, love architecture and travel, and really want to be brave enough to sketch when I travel. Teacups are too small for the tea or coffee I drink and when I travel I buy a mug from my favorite places. When I have my morning coffee I just think where I’d like to be that day and choose that mug! It brings pleasant memories to the beginning of each day.
Hi Jean. Are you near Ballard? My artist daughter lives on a boat there. Love visiting the area. I wish you well in your sketching endeavors!
Hi my name is Mary. I am retired but, still have a 15 year old to raise. I live in SW Mich. Hoping to move to Florida by next summer. I have taken a couple of drawing and watercolor classes and hooked on sketchbook skool for sure. I consider myself a beginner but, in spite of my lack of talent I have alot of enthusiasm. I just love drawing and painting. Watching the paper come alive. Can’t really explain it only to say I just love it. Looking forward to learning to really be able to draw and paint well. Glad to meet you all. Very exciting to see where everyone is from. Found out about Liz in SBS and I just love that she explains everything.
Hi Mary, My daughter lives in St. Joseph, MI and I have a daughter that lives in Florida in Lakeland. I am a Michigan native but currently live in North Carolina. I have just started drawing and watercolor classes and I am still doing SKS beginnings, it takes me awhile to get things done while working. I love it all and am so excited to be able to be so creative! I am still working but we visit both Michigan and Florida on a regular basis. Good luck and maybe we’ll run into each other sometime.
Hi, Mary. I live just a bit north of Holland, Michigan. Currently under a great deal of snow and wind! Perhaps when the roads are passable we can meet in the middle and sketch together some time!
Hi this is JennyI. I live in Manly, Sydney near the harbour and Pacific Ocean. I’m loving reading where everyone comes from. Who would have thought years ago we’d be connecting this way. I took up sketching when 65 years mainly because I wanted to be able to draw for my grandkids. Now we all draw together. Aged 1 – 4. I was fortunate to come across Liz so have loved attending her classes and workshop….just love those pigments and the fact every drawing is special… And wonky lines add character. Ha. Cheers all
I’m Laurie, I’ve lived in San Francisco for the last 30 years. Before that I lived in Australia for about 15 years, and a bunch of other places before that. Since 1985 I’ve been a graphic designer and illustrator. I’ve been working on the computer ever since the first Mac Plus came out. About 6 years ago I did a field sketching class in the Sierra Nevada with John Muir Laws and realized that I needed to get back to working without an undo button, getting my fingers dirty and looking at the world with my own eyes, without electronic mediation. I decided to develop a regular sketching practice, but could never get my friends to come out with me. So two years ago I set up a weekly Meetup group, http://www.meetup.com/SF-Sketchers/ and discovered that lots of other people also wanted to ditch their electronic devices and sketch on paper, in company with other people.
I’ve admired Liz’s work on flickr and in her blog for a long time, and am excited to learn more about her approach to sketching.
You can find me on flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/lauriewigham/
Hi Laurie,
I just joined this course, a little late. I live in Oakland and go to your meetups.
Sandee Shultz
You’re the Sandy who came to the mountains with me last month, no? Have I been spelling your name wrong all this time? Apologies!
Hi, I am Tyanne (rhymes with Diane). i have been drawing for about 6 years now after being a long time quilter. i have always loved and felt confident with color but felt I could not draw. Slowly that has been changing. I have admired Liz’ work for years so could not resist taking this class. It looks like it will be fun.
Dearest Liz,
I am so excited to start your class, I love your style of art and that’s why I am so excited to learn from you.
I am new to art, but right now we are moving from our home in Palmdale CA to Oxnard, CA. So I have been quite busy packing, but as soon as we get settled I look forward to starting my assignments. Liz I love it that you give us assingments to work on. Thank you for this class I really look forward to learning from you.
Kalena here, I live in Anacortes Washington, I’m a member of Anacortes Sketchers ASk.
I enjoy learning about drawing and water color. Grew having had someone tell me that I could not even draw stick people right…so spent many years not bothering to try! As a ‘grown up’ I realized that was a personal lie and decided to give it a try! I’ve done just about every other craft imaginable over the years so why not this!
It’s fun and challenging and I have found it is possible to learn with practice and instruction and lots of patience!….and I’ve met so many wonderful people in the process! Now I can include all of you too! K
Hello! I’m Melissa Wiley, a children’s book author and mom of six in San Diego, California. I have had a lifelong yearning to draw and paint, but my efforts to learn how have been few and fleeting. In a costume design class in college we read Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain and spent a few class periods doing negative space exercises, and I was entranced–but I was busy doing other things and didn’t persevere with sketching after the class moved on. After I had children I began doing some nature journaling with them, but again I’ve been quite sporadic about my own work, much more a facilitator of theirs. My kids can draw circles around me! 😉
This past year, I’ve been watching a lot of art tutorials on Youtube with my kids, and for the past couple of months, my youngest daughter and I have been enjoying working in our art journals together while listening to audiobooks. This past fall I took a short Line Drawing class with Lisa Congdon and an Art Journaling class with Dawn Devries Sokol, both via Creativebug, and those have inspired me be consistent about doing art on a daily basis. I am just about to finish my first course with Sketchbook Skool and heard about this workshop on the SBS Facebook page. I couldn’t resist! So here I am.
I have been fortunate to have my books illustrated by some truly wonderful artists, including Erwin Madrid, Sebastien Braun, Ag Jatkowska, and Melissa Iwai. I admire and envy their talents! 🙂
In addition to writing books, I have been blogging about my family’s reading life and other adventures for nearly 10 years at Here in the Bonny Glen (http://melissawiley.com/blog ).
Twitter: @melissawiley
Instagram: @bonnyglen
Melissa,
I enjoyed a peruse of your blog. I see you’ve read most of Helene Hanff’s books! I love all of those and reread them frequently. Took my teen daughter to London in the Spring (also homeschooling, originally 6, two now graduated) and we hunted down the much changed premises of 84 Charing Cross Rd. Many lovely old bookstores still nearby. It was good sketching territory. (I wrote to Hanff as a teen and got a postcard back with her famous address across the top … now a permanent bookmark in my beat up copy of “84”.)
I live in Balgowlah Heights, on the Northern Beaches of Sydney with my husband, our labradoodle and 2 ‘boomerang’ adult children. I was a primary school teacher for 30 years and loved creating art with children but I never had much time to do my own art. Now that I’ve retired, I have the time to follow my interests – sketching, painting, travel and coffee with friends.
The removal of a benign brainstem tumour in 2008 resulted in the restricted use of the right side of my body. I have taught herself to paint and sketch with my left hand. As Liz says…I’ve decided to embrace this wobbly, loose style and develop it. I find that I get ‘lost’ in sketching and this helps me escape from dealing with nerve pain. So more art = less pain! The best medicine!
I’m Carol and I live in Brisbane. I was born in South Africa and lived there until I immigrated to Australia 4 years ago. I went to art school and trained to be a teacher, taught for some time and then did a number of other things including book illustration, mosaic designs, running my garden landscaping company and finally I opened a retail shop with my son and daughter in law.
When I moved here, I convinced them to buy my share in the family business and now earn my living from art. I teach and run workshops from my home studio; paint and undertake commissions.
Sketching was always something I only did while on holiday, now I am making it part of my daily life.
I am glad to see you here Dale and looking forward to a great class.
Hi My name is Dale. I have always been interested in art, drawing and watercolor. No time for art through most of my life, with career and family. Now I have been in SBS Beginning, Seeing and Storytelling and now in Liz’s class. I have met some lovely people in SBS and we have formed a group East Bay Sketchers. We just got together again today. I live in Concord, CA.
Hi, I’m Andrea. I also live in Louisiana and found out about this class through the Facebook Sketchbook Skool group. I started sketching a year ago last October after retiring and visiting an art museum while on vacation. I’ve taken all 3 SBS semesters & have really enjoyed them. Keeping a travel journal while on vacation a few months ago really opened up my eyes as to a new way to more deeply experience my world, both familiar and foreign.
Hello everyone,
Wow it took me a while to get to the end of this list! My name is Angela and I live in Conway, PA near Pittsburgh. I am an elementary school teacher. I have always loved art; especially drawing and watercolor. I have taken all 3 Sketchbook Skool semesters and Awesome Art Journaling. Really enjoyed Liz’s Sketchbook class and looking forward to this one. I consider myself a life long learner of art. I am on Flickr and Facebook. See you in class.
Angela