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…
This is wonderful that there are so many of us in the course, living in so many different parts of the world. Hello, everyone!
I’m Emily. I was, as they say, – “born & bred”here in Kentucky. We make our home in Louisville.
Though I painted some in oils growing up, it was not until 2007, (and after many, many years away from painting), that I picked up a watercolor brush. Such a different approach start to finish!
I love keeping a watercolor journal, whether it’s just here at home or as we travel.
Hi, all. I’m Beth from near Holland, Michigan USA. I’ve tried to post here twice, and am not finding my post in the thread, so maybe the third time is the charm. I have been a college teacher and administrator for almost 30 years in literature and creative writing. I have published three mystery novels under the name Josie Gordon. I also sing and do a little readers theatre when there is an opportunity. I grew up as the one in my family who couldn’t draw! But when my creative interests led to me try working with comics, I decided I could learn something…enough to at least lay out storyboards for other artists. I’ve been practicing for a few years and joined Sketchbook Skool for all three semesters–the focus has helped my drawing really improve. That’s how I discovered Liz and I’m happy to be here with everyone. I am particularly loving people seeing all the posts timed and dated from the future!
Hi, I’m Carmen I live in Girona, (near Barcelona) Catalonia (Spain). I work as a lawyer and I love to draw as a child. I’m a beginner sketcher but drawing makes me happy and it’s a very relaxing activity to disconnect from work. My speaking and writting English isn’t as fluent as I would like so I apologize for my mistakes specially spelling and grammatical errors. I’m really looking forward to this course.
Wow what a lot of people!! Hello to everyone.
I’m Michele and live near Boston, Massachusetts although I’m originally from England. I painted in high school but deviated into science for a fair few years until I decided to take up painting again a couple of years ago.
I love Liz’s sketches, style and general approach to everything. And of course she is a devoted tea drinker – what’s not to like?
Just did a major double take! I’m also Michelle (two l’s) and live in Boston, Massachusetts but am originally from England.
We should probably get together …
Wow – what are the chances of that? We should definitely get together sometime – I actually live in Somerville.
Roslindale, here. Not far! I’m on fb under Michelle Geffken and twitter @Paperblogging.
My website is http://www.paperblogging.com, stories for, by and about sketchbookers. Last post was a tribute to Mayor Menino, which by a slight of hand, managed to make relevant to sketchbooking 🙂 Just had to write about the mayor.
Good to see you here too Michele 🙂
Ros
Hi, I’m Norma and I live in Encinitas, a suburb of San Diego, California. I’ve done ceramics and other three dimensional art for more than half of my 68 years but just tried drawing a couple of months ago. I’m an avid gardener and traveler. For some reason, I’ve developed a burning desire to sketch/journal my clay projects, plants, and travel. I hope this course will get me started.
Hi, Norma – I am so happy you signed up. We will get together and enjoy our common interests and have a good time.
Hello! I’m Jenny, hailing from San Francisco. Even though I’m an architect by profession, my previous sketchbooks have always been filled with more notes and diagrams than actual sketches. In fact, I think the only real drawings in my books before this year – buildings sketched on site in Brazil – take up a pitiful two pages.
I discovered Liz’s blog and the Urban Sketchers site earlier this year and was amazed at the quality and quantity of beautiful sketches out there. The desire to make some of my own, combined with a trip abroad where I wanted to myself to fill up the pages of my empty sketchbook rather than filling up the SD card on my camera, led to me to rediscovering and relearning how to draw.
I’ve always been overly analytical and precise when drawing – leading to me never doing it because it just took too long! So my journey into sketching this year has delved into exploring faster, looser, wonkier lines – and I still have a long ways to go. I’ve also started splashing watercolor onto my pages – something that I was absolutely terrified to touch before as I always just ended up making mud.
When I’m not buried nose-deep in my sketchbook – which seems to be happening a lot as of late – I’m either out biking, exploring the great urban outdoors, or drinking way too much coffee.
Excited for the upcoming few weeks ahead here!
Hi Jenny – I’m in SF too (Bernal Heights). If you’re ever looking to go sketching with other people you’re welcome to join the meetup group I organize http://www.meetup.com/SF-Sketchers/
We have something happening almost every weekend, mostly in the city but occasionally going to other parts of the bay area. We usually sketch for 2-3 hours then get together in a cafe to share sketches and chat.
Hi all, my name is Kathleen and I live in Succasunna, New Jersey, USA. I started water color painting a few years ago and have recently started focusing on my drawing skills. I’ve taken some other great online classes and am really looking forward to this one.
Hello, my name is Elda. I live in Barcelona (Spain) and I have been teaching Biology and Earth Sciences in a Secondary School. Now I’m retired and spend much of my time painting, drawing and travelling. I love sketching outdoors and I’ve done a few sketchbooks but I would like to improve the composition, use of colour and speed.
I’m a perfectionist and I am afraid to share my sketches on Facebook or Pinterest. So… share with you my drawings will be a challenge to me! Looking forward to begin and enjoy this course.
Hello Everyone
I live in Norwich U.K. and belong to our local Urban Sketchers Group. I first came across Liz’s work in Cathy Johnson’s book which I discovered in Barnes and Noble’ s store in Clearwater, Florida, when visiting my brother. Started following her blogs and wishing I could go to one of her classes. (Ironically have been to Aus on a 6 month”gap year” trip- about 40 years later than most!- but this was before I knew about Liz! )
Really excited about sketching, as since retiring have tried to capture travels, especially when in our camper van, here in UK or abroad..
I went on a SketchCrawl day on my own in Norwich several years ago as could not find any others interested. How things have progressed!
I need to work more quickly and not be so intimidated by perspective. Also to overcome a weakness for buying books about sketching and acting like a kid in a sweet shop when looking in art supply stores! Think I might not be alone in this! Good luck all- wherever you are!
Hello everyone. I live just outside Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I am a beginner at sketching and drawing. I have always wanted to learn how and now that my children are grown I am filling my empty nest with new learning adventures for me! Music is also an interest of mine and I love to sing, play piano and ukulele. I am excited to begin the course.
Hi, everyone!
My name is Marj and I live in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I’m a writer and desktop publisher whose only art classes were in junior high and high school. However, since I read “Rendering in Pencil” by Arthur Guptill over 20 years ago I’ve been entranced with drawing. A member of the Colored Pencil Society of America since 1995, I attained my signature status in 2005 (which I achieved with abstracts, not my drawing skills :-).
Like so many, I came to sketching after reading “The Art of Urban Sketching” in 2012. I’ve been sketching ever since, but unfortunately I too often allow work stress and pressure to keep me away from my sketchbook.
I was thrilled to get the notice about SkNF because I want to learn more about sketching faster and better, and I need the accountability of learning with a group. My goal: to transform my intense, ongoing interest (with spotty execution) into an enriching life-long discipline.
My Flickr account: https://www.flickr.com/photos/marjimarks
Hi All,
My name is Sue and I live in Southwestern Ontario. Although I’ve been working in watercolours for a few years now, my drawing skills needed some help and so I signed up for Sketchbook Skool and a whole new world opened up for me. My inner critic has been if not completely silenced at least muffled. I’ve sketched in public on a few occasions, limited by mobility issues rather than fear. I’ve even opened up my art blog, something I never thought I’d have the courage or desire to do. I’m looking forward to spending the early winter sharing and learning with you.
http://nukiart-watercolours.blogspot.ca
Hi! I’m Debbe and live in the midwest of the US. I began sketching last spring. I have not drawn, sketched or painted before then. I kept a sketchbook journal on my vacation this summer and absolutely loved that! Looking forward to knowing how to show what I see, feel and imagine.
Hi everyone! My name is Christine and I currently live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I retired a few years ago to follow my passion and have been writing novels ever since. I’ve always done some kind of art in one form or another, mostly oil paintings and self-taught, and look forward to this course to help me be more involved in documenting with art on a more daily basis. In a few months, my husband will retire and we will travel full-time. This is the perfect medium to keep track of our travels. Looking this course!
http://www.christinejfraser.com
Hi everyone,
I am Lotte, living in Denmark with short days and winter coming.
I began sketching in April after moving, and love it, love to try and capture my day and the world around me
Hello. I’m Theresa from Boise, Idaho. I have studied calligraphy as a hobby for a number of years. I began keeping a sketchbook after a class in San
Diego from Jane Lafazio. Like a number of you, I found Liz through Sketchbook Skool. I look forward to this new sketching adventure.
My name is Frankie (Eliza is my 8 year old granddaughter who also enjoys sketching). I live in North Idaho, near the Canadian border and work as a Hospice nurse. My son Rob, is an Urban Sketcher and sketches nearly every day. I’m hoping this class inspires me to sketch lots more!
PS I also have a tiny bear who travels with me, in my car on daily patient visits…maybe I’ll do some drawings of him!
Hi, my name is Claudia and I live in Linz, Austria. I’ve become interested in urban sketching after reading the book “the art of urban sketching”. I’m a beginner to sketching and looking forward to this course.
I’m Lynn. I live in South Burlington, Vermont. We’ve had a beautiful summer and fall and now winter and the cold weather are approaching. I was introduced to keeping an illustrated journal a few year ago through reading Danny Gregory’s Everyday Matters book. I just attended 3 semesters of Sketchbook Skool online(although I did not complete all my homework) and that is where I was introduced to Liz Steel. I love Liz’s work and promise to do all my homework for Sketching Now.
Hello, I’m Joanne and I live in Santa Fe, NM. I’ve been painting in watercolor for a long time and have explored other media such as oils and watercolor pencils. In the past several years I have also spent time quilting and knitting creating my own designs. These days I spend most of my free time painting and sketching primarily in ink and watercolor. I work full time as a project coordinator for an Architectural/Engineering firm, so free time is limited but fun!
I just can’t get enough of exploring, learning, and creating art:)
I’m excited about this course with Liz Steel whose art I have enjoyed so much!
Hello to you all. What an amazing group of people we are, and from so many parts of the world! I am Anne, and I live in Melbourne, Australia. I am a botanic artist, and am drawn to the fine details. However, I want to encourage that part of me that wants to be loose and expressive. I am very excited by Liz’s first lesson, and can’t wait to try those ‘juicy’ washes.
My blog is http://www.annelawson.wordpress.com
Hi Anne, Thankyou, saw your greeting somewhere else. Nice to meet you. I have just subscribed to your beautiful blog. Sandi
Hello,
I am Hanne and I live in Berlin, Germany.
Hi Hanna! So nice to see some one from Berlin! I just visited Berlin in September and had an awesome time at a live workshop with artist, Stephanie Levy. It was also love at first sight on our Berlin city experience!
Kind regards from Cape Town in Sourh Africa x
Hi Liezl,
thank´s for your reply. It ´s nice to hear that you enjoyed Berlin, I love this city as well but haven´t been to South Africa yet.
Best wishes and ‘see’ you later
Hi, my name is Kerstin Engström and I live in Sweden (northern Europe). I live on the countryside on a small farm. We have Icelandic horses, cats and dogs. Calligraphy, painting and drawing have I during the last year tried to do on a daily basis. I also do some bookbinding, partly because it is hard to find good sketchbooks in Sweden.
Hi Everyone
I’m Brian, and live in the beautiful city of Norwich, England. I am retired now after a career in the Printing industry, and more recently in University administration. I have been interested in art for a long time, but only started seriously sketching and painting about 10 months ago. So far I have taken all three SBS classes (which were great), and I am really looking forward to this class with Liz. I love drawing architecture, and am hoping to learn more about sketching a bit more quickly on location, as my current drawings take me a long, long time!
Hi, Brian. I grew up next to the UEA (on Bluebell Rd) though now I’m in the USA. My parents still live in Hethersett. Very much miss beautiful Norwich. I loved sketching the Cathedral cloisters as a young person. Look forward to seeing your sketches.
Hi, great to hear from you. I live in Costessey (not that far from Bluebell Road) and spent six years working at the UEA before I retired. So lucky to live somewhere with all that great medieval architecture to draw! Looking forward to the course, and seeing some of your work from the USA.
Hi Brian
I am just down the road behind Notcutts! Also saw there is a Dawn from Saxlingham Nethergate on the course too! trying to track down where she is amongst all on this site!
Do you go to Norwich Urban Sketchers too? They are meeting tomorrow, Sunday 16 Nov, at1pm at Britannia Café- adjacent to Norwich prison. you would be very welcome if you are not already a member. Hope to go but have had foot op recently. Looking forward to seeing your Norwich work!
Hi Brian – I know what you mean about trying to track someone down on this list! I tend not to look at e-mails on Sundays or Mondays so quite a build up since then. Great to know there’s a Norwich Urban Sketchers! Would be good to get together over coffee and sketchbooks at some point with you and mickied… my contact details are on the Diocese of Norwich website! (use Find a Person to search)
Hi Brian,
I am another one in the Norwich area. Have been friends with Dawn for years. It great to hear that there are others close by. Sketching is rather new to me.
Snowdrop46 aka Julie
Hi micied, Dawn and Snowdrop46
Great to hear from you all. Sorry about the time it has taken me to reply – I haven’t looked at this page recently. There is indeed a Norwich Urban Sketchers group – details on the web site – (I usually go – although I missed the last one at Britannia Cafe. I would be happy to meet up for a coffee with you all and perhaps a bit of sketching. As well as the Urban Sketchers, there is a weekly Norwich outdoor painting group which meets every Wednesday in the Forum at 10.30. We decide on a location in Norwich every week, and then walk there and spend two or three hours sketching and painting it. Everyone is very welcome (beginners and experts included) and it is a really friendly group. Just turn up if you are interested. If you would like to get in touch directly, my email is brian.courtney@talktalk.net
Hi, I am Carolyn from Cairns in the Tropical Far North in Qld Australia. New to sketching but really enjoying going out with the Cairns Plein Air group. Looking forward to the course.
Hi I’m Alex and I live in Bridgetown, Western Australia. I kept a journal back in 2009 (before I moved to Australia) and loved creating it and found it such a therapeutic thing to do. Unfortunately, life took over and the habit was broken but I’m hoping to use this course to get back into my art journal ways. I’m a beginner and have no technique at all so I’m look forward to learning lots from this course and from the community too. Not sure how well I’ll keep up with the weekly tasks as we’re heading into end of term madness at school (I’m a teacher) and then we’re heading to the UK for a wintry Christmas holiday, but I am fairly determined to carve out a bit of ‘me’ time for sketching.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/34984505@N05/sets/72157613248284737/
🙂 Alex
Hello fellow sketchers. I’m Kathy from San Diego and I began sketching for the first time as a student in the online Sketchbook Skool. I liked Liz’s approach to teaching and look forward to learning more from her. I’m a retired librarian and enjoy cycling, cycle touring, birding, good food, and now sketching.
Hi, I’m Lena, live in Kyiv, Ukraine. I’m a journalist and a pianist. I have never before done any sketching, but I always wanted. I like watercolors, but no practice with them also. I’m interested in architecture, modern art and classical music.
Hi all – My name is Simon and I live in Melbourne Australia. I took up sketching a year ago and did a weekend course with Liz. It was a great learning experience and lots of fun. I am back for more inspiration, tips and techniques.
Hi Simon, At last count there were about 5 from Melbourne. Welcome. Sandi
Hi everyone. I live in Melbourne, born in New Zealand and grew up in Auckland. I did Art at high school – 40 years ago sigh – and have been using Sketchnoting techniques for the last 2 years. I am very rusty art wise but am renewing my interest. I have never used watercolors so that will be interesting. I work in I.T. and to satisfy my creative side I build furniture and am currently building a 15′ sailboat too :-). I’m really looking forward to the next 12 weeks as I am very impressed with urban sketchers.
Hi, my name is Laura and I live in Victoria on beautiful Vancouver Island. I am a newbie to sketching but intend to commit to a daily practice despite taking care of my lovely grandbabies. How is it that after you retire you are busier than ever?