Sketching in the bush and among the vineyards

COASTAL: A sea setting provided plenty of subject material for a Tony McNeight sketching course and now the advertising art director will hold a sketching workshop at Matawhero Wines. Picture supplied

Two sketching workshop opportunities, one in the bush and one at a vineyard, are lined up this month.

Sketching day with Ginny PennFormer occupational therapist and self-taught artist Ginny Penn will hold a sketch day at her Cave Road property. The location provides an opportunity to draw from nature.

“The goal of the session is get you out of the studio setting, away from working from photos or computers, and looking at forms and shapes,” she says.

“Then, push your observation skills a bit further, try a different style of making marks, and if you really want a challenge, tackle light in its various shades.”

Equipment needed for the day includes walking boots or gumboots with tread (there might be the odd stream to jump), a cushion, back-pack for materials and paper.

Drawing materials could include pencils of various grades, charcoal sticks, charcoal pencils, conte sticks and powders (or make your own by bringing along a Stanley knife). Penn recommends paper you don’t feel too precious about or that the cost inhibits you wanting to draw on it.

“I’d suggest newsprint or basic drawing paper (as big as you can carry).”

For more details on what to take call 868 7369.

Sketching day, Saturday November 23, 10am-3pm at 208 Cave Road off Riverside Road. Only five places are available so be quick.

At the end of the month Tony McNeight of Erin Hill Sketching will hold a two-day beginners sketching course at Matawhero Wines. This “taster” course will take beginners through a programme of learning to sketch with pens, colour pencils and watercolour paint. All participants will be provided with materials to use on the weekend plus a sketchbook.

After a long career as advertising art director McNeight went on to share with hundreds of people of all ages his passion for sketching.

McNeight believes everyone can draw and three years ago he set up the New Zealand offspring of Erin Hill Sketching, named after a friend who started a unique teaching process in Sydney.

The cost of the two-day workshop is $550 per person and includes the two-day workshop, morning tea and lunch on both days, wine with shared antipasto platters in the vineyard on Saturday at 4pm.

The course is limited to 10 people. To reserve your a place contact Matawhero Wines on 867 6140 or cellardoor@matawhero.co.nz.

For more information call Tony McNeight at 021 925 031 or go online to www.erinhillsketching.co.nz