Travel Sketching with your iPad

Workshop Information
This workshop spans 2 days :

Los Angeles, U.S.A. 
9:30am - 5pm, Saturday, 11 May 2019
10am - 5pm, Sunday, 12 May 2019
(with a 1 hour break for lunch)

San Francisco Bay Area, U.S.A.
9:30am - 5pm, Saturday, 1 June 2019
10am - 5pm, Sunday, 2 June 2019
(with a 1 hour break for lunch)

Workshop Description

Many people pack an iPad when they travel, usually for email and downloaded content from Netflix to pass the time. I have been using iPads for most of my work, and all my urban sketching for over 5 years, and I can tell you from experience that it is an incredible device for sketching spontaneously, and a truly fantastic kit when you travel! 

Whether you’re heading to a local sketchwalk or traveling the world with an eye on luggage allowance, it’s hard to beat the versatility of an iPad, Apple Pencil and Procreate.

Over a weekend this spring, I’ll show you how your iPad, Apple Pencil and Procreate can be the ideal travel sketching companion for you too. I decided to offer this 2-day Travel Sketching with an iPad workshop so you’ll have enough time to get familiar with tools, try techniques, and ask all the questions you need. 

We begin with demos and exercises indoors that will help you become familiar and confident with the tools and interface of Procreate. Then we head outdoors the rest of the time, where I show you how to make full use of your Mobile Digital Studio to work both fast and slow, so you can take advantage of 5 minutes while the family takes a bathroom break, a half hour before friends arrive for dinner, or a couple of leisurely hours in a museum on your own.

Being comfortable with using an iPad, Apple Pencil and Procreate requires a shift in thinking and knowledge beyond simply what to click for your favorite brushes. Just like the first time you may have learned about the many ways to tackle watercolors, digital sketching has a learning curve too. The exercises I have planned will help you understand how and when to use layers, how to manage your files, ways to experiment with and mix multiple media, and most importantly, how to look at a scene and create a digital sketching game plan with the time you have.

Travel, whether to exotic locations or even a neighborhood you’ve seldom visited, can reveal wonderful stories, and as urban sketchers, we’re all about that, aren’t we? I’ll also show you how to capture and compile a variety of visual stories, wherever your sketchwalk might take you to, and whatever your skill level might be. There will be some one-on-one time for all participants, and I will also happily offer guidance to anyone who wants it, to improve not just skills with an iPad and Procreate, but also to help take your urban sketching to the next level.

I will also bring printed material so you can see how artwork translates from screen to print, and we’ll discuss the many options you have to share your work.

My hope is that you’ll immerse yourself with gusto, try all I have to show you, and leave on Sunday evening much more confident, and able to whip your iPad and Apple Pencil out to sketch at a moment’s notice.

All levels welcome.

Workshop Learning Goals

Working digitally is relatively new, even for very advanced sketchers, so this workshop is designed to help you get really comfortable with Procreate, especially if you’re new to digital sketching. You can expect to:

• Learn to navigate Procreate’s interface

• Understand how and when to use the many tools and brushes available

• Create infinite palettes of custom color 

• Begin to think in layers for ultimate flexibility 

• See the many ways your works can go from screen to print 

• Handle the 3 challenges of sketching digitally on location: glare, power and weather

We will also

• Explore various ways to work quickly under various cirucmstances

• Discover how to break a scene down and approach compositions

• Understand which digital tools to use, when

• Explore various media, how to recreate a desired analog look (then how to push that even further)

• Make a variety of sketches that tell the story of your travels

Workshop Location

Workshop location details will be emailed to participants.

Workshop Schedule

Workshop Registration and Cost

Workshop Fee: $295 
Special rate for participants who sign up for both Travel Sketching with your iPad and People Drawing Party : $540 total

Please email Louisa at louisa@sketcherman.com for space availability and PayPal link.

Maximum number of participants 15 (minimum 10) All levels welcome 
*In the event of too few registrations, all monies will be refunded less Paypal Fees.
Please note: Cancellations up to 30 days before the workshop will be refunded the full amount minus Paypal charges and a $15 cancellation fee, and no refunds will be granted after that date. Thank you for your understanding.

Supply list

1. An iPad that works with an Apple Pencil is required.
   The following models will be fine:
   • iPad Pro (1st , 2nd or 3rd gen) + Apple Pencil
   • 2019 10.5” iPad Air + Apple Pencil
   • 2018 9.7” iPad + Apple Pencil
   • 2019 iPad Mini + Apple Pencil

2. Preinstalled Procreate app (USD9.99 or equivalent on the iOS App Store)

3. A case / holder that allows you to use your iPad comfortably outdoors.

4. A stool / chair for sketching if you have one.

5. Sun protection: Hat / umbrella

   You're also welcome to email Rob if you have any questions at rob@sketcherman.com
   For more information on recommended iPad gear, please refer to this blog post.