Think Negative

 

Let’s Sketch!

Stop, Look, and See

Sunday, January 31

12 PM - 3 PM

Hosted by  Evelyn Brody and Urban Sketchers Chicago

Details:

To you make positive use of negative shapes in your sketches? Flipping the script can produce sometimes surprisingly powerful results as Wendy Easton’s lovely banner sketch shows. 

You might think of rendering negative space as drawing the shapes on your page around and between objects, rather than drawing the objects themselves. 

Don’t forget, though, about interior negative shapes – recall that Beatles posters where each Beatle is instantly recognizable from the shadow shapes in the eyes and under the nose and mouth. 

Wendy’s sketch uses both approaches: 

• Through the window, the trees appear as bare paper surrounded by sky shapes 

• Within her studio, the shadow shapes within objects reveal curtains, furniture, and art supplies. 

You can use negative shapes for an entire sketch, or just in selected areas.

Join us for our virtual throwdown on our group Facebook page on Sunday, January 31, between noon and 3pm, but always welcome late entries.

We follow USk Global’s guidelines of sketching live on location and not from reference photos. When outside your home, be sure to socially distance and wear a mask to help everyone stay safe. All skill levels welcome – happy sketching! 

To make your sketches easy to find and see, please include #uskchicago and #uskathome on your posts to Facebook and Instagram.

Banner Sketch by Wendy Easton

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Zoom X 2

 

Let’s Sketch

Zoomin' In

Sunday, January 24

12 PM - 3 PM

 Hosted by

 Gail Dokucu, Urban Sketchers Chicago

and Guest Host Michele Perrin

This week our host is Michele Perrin. Michele lives in St. Louis and is one of the founders of the USk St. Louis, but often joins us in Chicago when she visits her daughter, Courtney, who is also a member of USk Chicago!

DETAILS:

Zoomin' In

In the “olden” days (pre-pandemic), zoomin’ around typically referred to our hectic, harried lives as we rushed from one activity to another. But in 2020, Zoom took on a whole new meaning as we used it for a virtual communication tool to hold work meetings, teach school, and toast one another on Friday afternoons.

For this week’s theme, we’re going to use the IKEA interpretation of Zoom… you know, those pictorial assembly instructions showing enlarged renderings of fasteners and screw holes.

This week

• Create a drawing (your choice,a corner of your living room, the view out your window, your car’s dashboard, a city skyline, etc.) 
• ZOOM IN on one tiny detail – those things we urban sketchers often eliminate or approximate when editing a scene. 
• Take time to reflect and really focus on those intricate details.

And in honor of the theme, Michele will be hosting a virtual throwdown from 3-4pm on Zoom!

Join Zoom Meeting Sunday

January 24 @ 3pm

If you’re available, please log in and say hello.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82031754355...

Meeting ID: 820 3175 4355

Passcode: 676296

Banner Sketch by Michele Perrin

Want to keep up to date by email? Fill in your email address in the place provided in the upper right corner under the banner. We look forward to hearing from you.

Cozy Up and Sketch!

                                                              

Let’s Sketch

Hygge

Sunday, January 17

12 PM - 3 PM

 Hosted by

 Gail Dokucu, Urban Sketchers Chicago

and Guest Host Rachel Grossman,

Details:

Hygge is a Danish word with no direct translation into English (so what better idea for a USk Chicago prompt?) It’s pronounced “hue-gah” according to Visit Denmark’s website. 

Hygge is similar to our idea of coziness, but with overlaid ideas of contentment, well-being, and living in the moment. Hygge is important in Danish culture as a way of staying happy in the face of long dark winters. And since Denmark always ranks at or near the top in happiness-by-country ratings, they may be onto something.

Scenes of hygge include glowing fires in the fireplace, candles on the coffee table, cups of steaming tea and cocoa, fluffy slippers. But they can equally include taking a long walk in the woods and, in olden times, having a casual dinner party with a small circle of friends.

This week, let’s draw a small everyday moment of contentment and coziness.

Is yours  

• a good book and a mug of mulled wine

• an oversize hand-knit sweater and woolly socks

• a walk through a snowy forest preserve (wear long underwear!)

• a plate of tea cakes

• a board game played with the family

• something cozy that brings a sigh of contentment and warms up our cold and dreary winter?

Banner Sketch by Rachel Grossman

Please include #uskchicago and #uskathome on your posts to Facebook and Instagram. Remember, we are back to following USk Global’s posting guidelines of sketching live on location and not from reference photos.

Want to keep up to date by email? Fill in your email address in the place provided in the upper right corner under the banner. We look forward to hearing from you.

Do You Hear What I See?

 

Let’s Sketch

Music to My Eyes

Sunday, January 10

12 PM - 3 PM

 Hosted by

Jason McInnes, Gail Dokucu, and Urban Sketchers Chicago

Details

While it’s a disappointment not to be able to attend and perform our typical music during the pandemic, there’s still plenty of music in the air!

Let your ears be your guide.

• Sketch musical instruments or people playing music.

• Sketch things that are music to you, like chirping birds on a wire, the rumble of the El past your window, or the joyful noise of a full sledding hill.

Include a bit of onomatopoeia if you’re so inspired. Feel free to interpret music as you hear it.

Please include #uskchicago and #uskathome on your posts to Facebook and Instagram.

A reminder that we are back to following USk Global’s posting guidelines of sketching live on location and not from reference photos.

Banner sketch by Jason McInnes

Want to keep up to date by email? Fill in your email address in the place provided in the upper right corner under the banner. We look forward to hearing from you.

Let's Get the Party Started!

Let’s Sketch

Inspiration Collection

Sunday, January 3

12 PM - 3 PM

 Hosted by Joann Harling, Gail Dokucu, and Urban Sketchers Chicago

Details

Tour your home or environs and find a grouping of things that are meaningful in some way to you. A little space somewhere in your daily wanderings that inspires you.

• You may just be drawn to this little area and not really know why. 

• You don’t need to explain unless you want to. 

• Visually describe and share your post for this week’s “Top of the Year” prompt.

Please include #uskchicago and #uskathome on your posts to Facebook and Instagram. A reminder that we are back to following USk Global’s posting guidelines of sketching live on location and not from reference photos.

Banner sketch by Joann Harling

Want to keep up to date by email? Fill in your email address in the place provided in the upper right corner under the banner. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Out with the Old and In with the New?

Let’s Sketch

Old and New

Sunday, December 27

12 PM - 3 PM

 Hosted by Kris Van Stockum, Gail Dokucu, and Urban Sketchers Chicago

Details

When a new year approaches, we often reflect on the year as it comes to a close and look forward to new possibilities ahead. 

• Let’s draw something we’re leaving behind –something old, and something we’re looking forward to in the new year – something new. 
• Or maybe it’s a juxtaposition of old and new. 
• Is there something you’re letting go of to make room for the new?
• Maybe you have something new you’ve been waiting to try – a new art supply, a new gift you received, a new skill you want to learn.

However you want to interpret “Old and New” . . . it’s up to you!

Please include #uskchicago and #uskathome on your posts to Facebook and Instagram. A reminder that we are back to following USk Global’s posting guidelines of sketching live on location and not from reference photos.

Our Sponsor Spotlight this week is Hahnemühle.

They have generously offered five 9”x12” watercolor paper blocks of their new The Collection fine art paper. Anyone who posts on the USk Chicago group Facebook page from Wed. 23- Wed. 29th 5 p.m. deadline will be entered to win 1 of the 5 raffle items. Winners will be chosen at random Dec. 31st and announced on our Facebook page in addition to receiving a message via FB Messenger. **

Banner sketch by Kris Van Stockum

Want to keep up to date by email? Fill in your email address in the place provided in the upper right corner under the banner. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Fa La La La La!

 

Let’s Sketch -

Getting Ready for the Holidays!

Sunday, December 20

12 PM CST – 3 PM  CST

Hosted by Anna Rapport, Gail Dokucu, and Urban Sketchers Chicago

Welcome to our first week of guest hosting, with volunteer host Anna Rappaport! 

Details

Here's the theme Anna has chosen for us:

Often the winter holidays mean going to religious services, decorating inside or outside our homes, going to look at the decorations in our communities, cooking special foods, making cookies to send as gifts, shopping, writing greeting cards, connecting with friends and family and maybe traveling. They may include visiting Zoolights, a Christmas market, etc. They may include providing toys or clothing to a drive for the needy. 

2020 is a challenging year and many of us will be doing something different than usual. Some will be staying at home and thinking of different times.

Please share something you are doing connected to getting ready for and celebrating the holidays in 2020.

Be sure to include #uskchicago and #uskathome on your posts to Facebook and Instagram. A reminder that we are back to following USk Global’s posting guidelines of sketching live on location and not from reference photos.

Banner sketch by Anna Rappaport

Want to keep up to date by email? Fill in your email address in the place provided in the upper right corner under the banner. We look forward to hearing from you.