Susan Knapp Sketches

Tag: art retreat

  • Why I always take my sketchbook on holiday

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    These are a few reasons, in images, why I take my sketchbook on holiday, always.

    Because you never know what you might find or when you will come across something that just asks to be sketched.

    Firstly when it’s a trip in the trusty VW Camper Van I will always include a sketch of it, whether it’s before we leave home or when we set up camp.

    Then there is always the café, the view from it, or the coffee that you are drinking.

    Cities, towns and villages have innumerable things to sketch. Windows, doors, spires and towers if time is short, and of course the buildings themselves when time is on your side.

    Then there are the hidden corners, the unexpected monuments, the flower pots, and the parks.

    Keep a spare sketch kit in the car, you never know what is round the corner.

    If you want to sketch with me on location then my up and coming trip to Morocco could be the answer.

    https://tedrart.com/retreat/travel-sketchbook-morocco-susan-knapp/

  • How do you plan the layout of your sketchbook pages?

    And how that varies between formats.

    The answer is well that depends……

    On location my pages develop almost organically, I choose a starting point and “grow’ my spread from there. my pages are usually filled with “vignettes” – small sketches with no defined edges.

    I have to admit that the hardest thing is knowing when to stop!

    In the studio I can be more organised and do some rough layout plans, though often I just wade in there the same as if I were on location.

    I’ll show you some different pages here, in several different formats of sketchbook and as you will see there are endless possibilities.

    Zig zag, or Leporello sketchbooks, my choice for traveling.

    These are such a joy to use, light to carry around, and make for great panoramic sketches, or multiple vignettes.

    A5 Portrait

    My day to day choice, easy to handle, easy to layout the pages, and easy to photograph.

    “Italy” on the left is a series of multiple sketch “vignettes” added as the day went on. The village houses on the right hand page are just one sketch. The A5 works for both.

    A5 Landscape

    This format is more of a challenge for me, harder to use and a bit tricky to photograph. But works really well for several sketches, or a panorama. These are very uniform and aligned, unusual for me.

    Square 20 x 20

    Another favourite, I love composing my pages with these books, lots of possibilities for a double page, or two separate sketches.

    Or, as here, connecting vignettes with a theme.

    A4 loose sheets

    Simple to transport, easy to use portrait or landscape. Again I use these for multiple or single sketches.

    If you want to learn more about layouts I’ll be covering this is my Morocco workshop next March

    Morocco art retreat

  • Morocco Art retreat

    23 – 30 March 2027

    Sketch with me in Morocco!

    A beautifully tailored journey in stunning locations, from Essaouira and its coast to the wild dunes and busy souks.

    I have sketched in Morocco many times, there is always a wealth of subjects to sketch, you will never be short on inspiration.

    This workshop is about keeping a travel sketchbook, telling a story and creating memories on paper.

    We will use ink, watercolour, collage, text and stamps.

    I will share my secrets and encourage you to tell your visual stories .

    Open to beginners and experienced sketchers.

    I teach in English and French.

    Follow the link to Tedrart below for more details.

    https://tedrart.com/retreat/travel-sketchbook-morocco-susan-knapp/

    Subjects:

    Beautiful faded buildings and bright doors

    Landscapes, seascapes and boats

    Souks and artisanat