Drawing MonoDrawing Mono

Moira DonohoeMoira Donohoe September 13September 13--14, 200314, 2003

$105 per person/ $90 for MLC members

Limited to 15 participants Cost includes pastels and pastel paper

The mark of a stick or ink-dipped reed is very different from pen marks. Van Gogh’s favorite drawing tool was a reed pen, and his drawings are filled with vitality and emotion. The calligraphic lines made with a brush loan themselves to another type of drawing such as the elegant and poetic works of Asian masters. We will spend two days drawing the abundantly diverse landscape of Mono Lake and vicinity. The tufa formations offer the artist a subject of beauty and challenge. Their otherworldliness suggests many a possibility for those wishing to push drawings beyond

the ordinary. In this unique seminar we will learn the basics, and further our skills in black and white drawing using pen, brush, pencil, charcoal, as well as pastel on paper. This seminar is appropriate for beginning and intermediate artists! ITINERARY: Meet at 8:00 AM, Saturday, September 13 at the Mono Lake Committee Information Center and bookstore. After introductions and handouts we will proceed to cemetery road, five miles north of Lee Vining and turn right at County Park. There are a variety of subjects here to draw. After a discussion of various drawing techniques, participants begin a series of exercises for warming up and becoming familiar with their materials. We will break for lunch at noon. At one o’clock a new concept will be introduced, and participants will work on a longer drawing. Our last hour of the day will be focused drawing discussion. Our first day will end at roughly 5:30 PM. On Sunday we will meet again at Mono Lake Committee Information Center and Bookstore at 8:30 AM. We will then proceed to Lee Vining Creek and Canyon where our subjects will be water, quaking aspen, Jeffrey pine and mountains. Drawing in color will be the focus today. Over the course of the day the instructor will introduce and demonstrate more techniques and concepts. We will break at noon for lunch. In the afternoon, we will begin a longer drawing, and we will close with a critique discussion. There will be very little hiking involved during this seminar, and most things will fit into your daypack.

Beware of dehydration and overexposure. The Mono Basin is a high desert environment. Drink plenty of water and protect yourself from the high elevation sun. Dehydration is a common problem in the Eastern Sierra, and it can be easily avoided. MEALS: Please bring a bag/picnic lunch for both days. TO BRING:

• Your instructor will have a small selection of pastels and pastel paper available for purchase Drawing Supplies: __18x24 newsprint pad

__ masking tape __ drawing pad with good quality drawing paper (18x24) __ charcoal, vine and compressed, several sticks of each, in an assortment of soft, medium and hard. __ kneaded eraser __ magic rub white vinyl eraser __ drawing pencils 2B, HB __ exacto or pocket knife. __ felt tip pen, black __ black drawing ink __ permanent ink pen, black __ paper towels

__ wet wipes-small pack __ two small jars with lids __ drawing board 20x 26 __ portable easel (suggested) __ small, round watercolor brush __ day pack __ bring lunch and snacks both days and plenty of water. Bring appropriate clothing for the season, hat, and sunscreen. Pastel Supplies: The following is a list to guide you in purchasing pastels and pastel papers. A lot of the supplies can be purchased in a well-stocked art supply store. I get most of my supplies from catalog companies. Shop around as prices can vary a great deal. If you already have supplies, feel free to bring them. Bare minimum is a set of 24 colors and a pad of pastel paper. Buy what fits your budget.

__ PASTELS. Suggested best combo: set of 24 count polychromos pastels (not pencils) by Faber Castell, and a 18-count intro set of soft pastels by Unison. Other good brands are Sennilier, or Schmincke. Less expensive but acceptable brands are Rembrandt or Art Spectrum pastels.

__PASTEL PAPER. Selection of 3 or 4 sheets from the following: Wallis pastel paper LaCarte Pastel Card, Art Spectrum pastel paper. Less expensive but reduced quality: Canson Mi Tientes pastel paper. All pastel papers come in large sheets that can be cut down to smaller sizes.

Art Supply Catalog Companies: Daniel Smith 800-426-6740 Dakota Art 888-345-0067 Cheap Joe’s 800-227-2788 Art Supply Warehouse 800-995-6778 The Jerry’s Catalog 800-U-Artist SUGGESTED READING: Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards Sketching in Nature by Kathy Johnson Pastel for the Serious Beginner by Larry Blovits If you have any questions or concerns about what to bring, please feel free to contact Moira Donohoe at donohoe@inreach.com.

Mono Lake Committee Field Seminars

P.O. Box 29, Lee Vining, CA 93541 (760)647-6595 <www.monolake.org>