SATURDAY: Sketch Bannerman’s Castle

Saturday, September 5

Conceived, designed and hosted by Cecilia Evasco

We’re off for a visual voyage to sketch the enchanted ruins of Bannerman Castle, a medieval-like fortress built at the turn of the 20th century by a rich industrialist. Bannerman's Castle is situated on Pollepel Island in the Hudson River 50 miles from NYC.

The island is rich in supernatural history. The guides say fairies and goblins populate the island. Many claim it’s haunted by a malevolent spirit which has caused a series of disasters over the years, including the destruction of the castle itself.

Despite its ominous history, you’re going to be enchanted by the scenery and the setting of the island. The structure of the ruins is framed by flowers and other natural scenery that gives the castle and almost romantic feel.

Many artists have visited the island to sketch, paint, photograph the various views of the castle, and so are we.

IN THE MORNING

In the morning we'll sketch the exterior structure of the castle ruins from the vicinity of the island with its numerous turrets, stairs, stone columns, and arched windows. Each side of the castle has its own unique view. Try to create a mood in your sketch whether it be foreboding, romantic, enchanted, or something else.

IN THE AFTERNOON

In the afternoon, we'll sketch a river-view or aerial view of the castle ruins. Another option could be to sketch the interior of the castle or focus on something interesting on the castle's facade or castle grounds.

VIRTUAL LINKS YOU CAN USE

You are free to use any source material you like. Cecilia has provided numerous links you can use. She's wrapped all the info you'll need in a website she created specifically for this event.

https://5f4e29f3ee05d.site123.me/

WHAT TO EXPECT

Registration closes on Friday at noon. On Friday afternoon you will recieve an email with the login instructions you'll need to participate.

TO REGISTER:

Click here to register:  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-sketch-bannermans-castle-tickets-119324383443

SUNDAY: High on Color!

Sunday - that’s right, Sunday, … not our usual day.

Can’t get enough color?  Then you probably already love the Fauves, the incredible art movement that replaced Impressionism with a burst of colors that left the artworld speechless.  Our topic for this Sunday’s Virtual Sketch is the Fauves.  This day of virtual sketching was suggested and will be hosted by Patricia Chow.

We will visit the Mediterranean seaside town of Collioure, France.  Collioure is known as the birthplace of Fauvism, an art movement focused on color and individual expression.  Fauvist painters like Henri Matisse and Andre Derain traveled around together, sketchbooks in hand, searching for places to paint - just like urban sketchers did (prior to the pandemic).  But, have no fear, we will join them from the comfort of home by exploring virtually

IN THE MORNING

In the morning we'll sketch the town of Collioure - including the tiny medieval alleyways of the Old Town, the 800-year-old Château Royal, the famous lighthouse - now the bell tower of the church of Notre-Dame des Anges, the beachside promenade of the Boramar district, or even the grave of the Spanish poet Antonio Machado in the Collioure cemetery.

IN THE AFTERNOON

In the afternoon, we'll venture into the hinterlands and sketch the vineyards and natural landscapes that inspired Matisse and Derain to push past the color boundaries of the Impressionists and experiment with the expressive use of bright, contrasting colors.  

Since we will be working virtually you are free to use any source material you like.  However Patricia has prepared a short list of useful links:

Collioure Tourism Website:   http://www.visitcollioure.co.uk/

Fauvism:    https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/fauv/hd_fauv.htm

Google Earth Street View:   https://www.google.com/maps/place/Collioure,+France/@42.5271295,3.085509,3a,75y,285.56h,106.23t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipOlrh8AuKNWolqFasD2hkJYoutHtpwtq1IiwjH1!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipOlrh8AuKNWolqFasD2hkJYoutHtpwtq1IiwjH1%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi-14.405144-ya307.20258-ro-0-fo100!7i8704!8i4352!4m15!1m7!3m6!1s0x12b07f95291fde8d:0x91f56d4265317420!2sCollioure,+France!3b1!8m2!3d42.526752!4d3.084631!3m6!1s0x12b07f95291fde8d:0x91f56d4265317420!8m2!3d42.526752!4d3.084631!14m1!1BCgIgARICCAI?hl=en

REGISTRATION:

You need to register to attend this event.   Registration is open now and closes on Friday at noon.  If you register you will receive dial-in instructions in an email on Friday..  The event starts at 10 AM on SUNDAY, ... (not our usual day - please note.)

Click here to register:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunday-high-on-color-tickets-118368702977

SATURDAY: The Hometown Sketch

For Saturday August 22, 2020 - starting at 10 AM

Since the pandemic started and we began our virtual sketching adventures we have turned our backs on what was for years an inexhaustible source of inspiration.   New York City - our hometown is calling.  We will spend Saturday drawing the places we love best and the activities that we miss.   

Yes, we will return.  Let’s consider this day of sketching a bookmark, saving our place so we can return enthusiastically when it’s safe to be out sketching together.

• AM - The NYC places we miss
• PM -  The NYC things we miss doing

Definitions and Rules:

1. NYC refers to all five boroughs of our city - Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.
2. You can use any source material you like including personal photographs,  Google Maps and any website you like.
3. For visitors from other cities and countries, if you’ve never been to our town please share with us the things you’d love to see and do when you do visit us.

REGISTRATION:

To participate you will need to register in advance.  Registration ends on Friday at noon.   You will receive an email from us on Friday afternoon with the login details.

To register now - click here:  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-the-hometown-sketch-tickets-117600559439