Description
Whether your travels take you abroad, to the park, or just to your backyard, this workshop is for you! Learn how to create illustrated journals of the things you see, taste, and experience. Sitka will be both our inspiration and our laboratory for sketching from real life.
You will learn:
• How to scan your recent memory for experiences to sketch
• How to sketch common shapes, objects, and textures for your sketches
• Different ways to organize your illustrated journal in your sketchbook, including sample layouts from the instructor
• Techniques for pencil sketching and inking your drawing
• Tips for selecting a watercolor palette for your sketch
• How to quickly paint your illustration with watercolor
• How to annotate your sketchbook with descriptions, date, banners, or other notes that are important to you
We will be in-studio for this workshop, but participants are welcome to sketch outside if they desire. Beginners and established watercolor practitioners welcome.
About the Instructor
She creates with watercolor, illustration, and hand-lettering – sometimes all three. Molly’s passion is helping you tell your story through illustration. She is also a creative planning coach, helping others to realize their creative goals. She is also the creator of the Tarot of These Times deck (anticipated for release in 2026).
Originally from Cleveland, Molly has called Portland, Oregon home for over 20 years. She studied painting and illustration at Pacific Northwest College of Art.
Before she was an artist, Molly worked as a social change agent and project manager for 25 years. When she doesn’t have ink on her hands, Molly likes to play with her dog Milo, gardening, and watching movies with her family.
Learn More
www.mollychidsey.com
Materials List
You will need to bring:
Pocket-size watercolor kit (such as the Sakura Koi Watercolor Sketch Box Travel Pan Set – Set of 12 colors, $14 at Blick.com)
Waterbrush, such as Pentel Aqua Water Brush, medium brush size
Portable watercolor sketchbook, sized around 5”x8”:
Pentalic Hard Cover Aqua Journal (5″ x 8″); OR
Moleskine Art Watercolor Album, Hard Cover, size “Large” (5″ x 8.25″)
Black pigment monoliner drawing pen, such as Sakura Micron pen, size .3 or .5, black ink
Mechanical pencil
White plastic eraser
Lightweight, potable folding chair, stool, or padded seat to use for sketching outside (such as the folding trail stool from REI)
Hat, sunscreen, water bottle
Provided by instructors:
Watercolor tips handout
Worksheets with journal layouts