A virtual sketch walk is one in which
you never leave your chair.
The opposite of urban sketchers, which is all about sketching your environment
from real life, as a virtual sketcher you are sketching from your own,
another person’s (with permission), or Google map images.
I did my first one during the International Fake Journal Month,
when I took a virtual trip while recouping from surgery.
(Note all the writing was fakery too — part of the game of IFJM!)
All my travel was done from my bed (I was laid up) using Google maps and Google virtual street views, and an occasional Wikipedia Creative commons photograph.
As an Urban Sketcher, I enjoy getting out and sketching the city or my real travels.
And, I also work full time and often my sketching time is between 4-6am or early evening.
Virtual sketching allows me to continue to enjoy myself, hone my drawing skills, and basically do when I used to sketch at architectural lectures — draw from slide shows!
(All photographic images from Google maps.)
Amsterdam!
This virtual walk in Amsterdam was mapped by Rene Fitjen, an architect and artist,
and part of a small group of artists who sometimes play alongside each other in
sketching games that allow us to see how we handle the same basic images.
You can take any walk you want anytime you want!
My walk:
I love doing these exercises!
They are like a meditation to me, as I draw in pencil and ink.
After I play with watercolor at the end of my more sketching time.
I find a virtual image (this is from Google streets) and
sketch from it as if I am there in real time.
I can also use my own camera on a walk — or have a friend take a walk
and capture what they see — and then sketch it “as if.”
They are fast and fun and I can do them anytime!
I map out a page to allow for a certain congruity in my “walks.”
Depending upon the size sketchbook, your images will be small —
mine are in the 3″x3″ range, or double that for the long ones.
The size came out of my Moleskin Journal which is A4 landscape sized.
I lay in a pencil outline — a few lines — or not,
and then use ink, followed by watercolor — or not!
No rules except it these are virtual!
I also learn about the places I sketch. I knew Amsterdam had Red Light districts,
and the idea that Oude kerk (one of the oldest churches) might be near the red light districts was predictable. However, they had sculptures all AROUND
it that were celebrations of the world’s oldest profession! Whoa!
Made me think about the Puritanical nature of the USA.
Some artists look down their noses at those that
sketch or paint from images.
I don’t.
First of all, drawing and painting are drawing and painting, period.
You define if you are an artist or not.
I also heartily encourage everyone to paint and sketch from real life whenever possible.
Images flatten out reality and influence the way you perceive and therefore depict images.
AND, this year I also learned what it is all about to be confined to an inner space,
be it a bed, a wheelchair, or a hospital —
or even keeping someone company daily in that situation.
Three months of virtual painting saved me from
going stir-crazy, as one can only sketch the cats, one’s toes, a stack of books,
one’s art tools and the items next to the bed or the room for so long!
I started a Facebook group page to allow everyone to comfortably post their virtual sketches, and also where we will, from time to time, take virtual sketch walks. For a short time I am letting the group be public, so anyone can see what this might be about.
Eventually we will be closed to public viewing, and then you must play to view!
Why a closed group?
Sometimes you want to be able to experiment as an artist and it is nice to know that only the other artists who “have skin in the game” can see your experiments. If you are interested, you can ask to be admitted after the group is closed for privacy.
I also created an accompanying Flickr group!
Come join us if you are inclined!
Moleskin 8×11 watercolor journal, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, De Artramentis
Document Black ink and Platinum Carbon ink; Daniel Smith and Holbien watercolors.
All my International Fake Journal Month posting are copyrighted.
It is unusual for me to not do Creative Commons but there is a reason.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back to dkatiepowellart.
I love Amsterdam and I REALLY love your drawings and your virtual tour down the streets and canals. What a great idea. Maybe I should do something similar here amongst the olive groves. On second thoughts we might get a bit disorientated – one olive tree looks very much like the next and since there are literally millions of them it might start to be a virtual headache negotiating ones way through them. Looking forward to more of your virtual sketches, they are beautiful.
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There is a Flickr group I have just started about virtual tours. You might want to check it out and join. I am a new admin so email me if you can’t join or I can send you an invite. Just started — love to see your olive groves! https://www.flickr.com/groups/2844425@N20/
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Beautiful artwork and great idea!
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Thanks Laura; come join us as we are beginning!
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Timing’s wrong for me right now, but I really appreciate the offer! It’ll be great to keep in mind for the future. I never thought of drawing from Google maps!
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You know where to find us!
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👍😀🎨
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Great post Kate will have to try this love your virtual walks….
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Hi Bev! You should come join our FB group — we are just getting started so in the next three months we’ll be doing short virtual sketchwalks. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1604434343140326/ And I am sending you a FB invite.
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That’s so funny ! Great way to practice 😄
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I see you are a new blogger — welcome!
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Thank you 😉
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These are great, Katie! Love your attitude 😀. You artists who advocate broadening the boundaries of ‘what’s acceptable’ in classifications if art make it a much more welcoming world for everyone. I’m happy to know you won’t turn up your nose at a sketch from a previous image rather than actually being out in the world sketching.
I love that you show your progression through these sketches – very informative for me. Your art always energizes me 💖
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Love to hear that! ❤
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Wow. I just love your sketches, Kate ~ every one of them!
I’ve been wanting to do some local sketching for some time now. I need to be sure to visit you here more often, because you ~ and your work ~ inspire me!
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Thanks Rose. I love it best when I inspire someone!
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Absolutely beautiful. Love all the images, color and details. Simply awesome!!
Have a great day!
Nora
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Thanks Nora! Happy PPF!
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With your incredible watercolor talent, you reminds me of one of my favorites, Charles Reid. Love your work.
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That is high praise indeed — he is one of my favorites too. I think I am nowhere near as good as he is! Thanks!
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oh my gosh!!! I’m just learning about this concept as I read!!!! I think I love EVERYTHING about it!!! I’d love to join, but I’d need to watch and learn for a while before I could even contemplating playing!!! (not sure if my ability would be up to it yet) WOW!
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I’m just starting the group so the first walk will be short with a few easy views, and I will talk about some simple tricks to pull the page together. Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/groups/1604434343140326/ — saw your blog — you’ll do great!
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okie doke…. I’ll head over and see how it goes… I’m excited though!!!
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We have a few folks watching not yet ready to participate . . . fyi. I am designing the first walk as we speak!
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Oh, I love these drawings. I took art for one year in high school and pen&ink w/watercolor was my absolute favorite thing. I have no talent but I loved doing it! These are beautiful, Katie.
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Get a sketchbook and give it a go! I nice and inexpensive Platinum Carbon pen (which is also good for writing) or a Uniball and a cheap watercolor kit is yoru only investment — art teachers can take it out of you, but finding it when you can tell them all to stick it is the best! I think I feel a separate blog post coming on, where I get on my soapbox!
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Gotta love this, Katie! I have written down the supplies and really am going to give this a go. Thanks so much for the inspiration.
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