Studio blog: plein air workshop in Durham with Toby Sketch Loose

I had a fabulous day out in Durham a couple of weeks ago, plein air / urban sketching on a workshop run by artist Toby Haseler, aka Toby Sketch Loose, and a lovely group of fellow sketchers.

I always love to learn from other artists, and when I found out Toby was coming up to Durham to teach, I hoped I would be able to get a space, as his day workshops are limited to just six people. I was really pleased that I was lucky enough to get a space.

In the morning over coffee at Biz-R Coffee House next to Framwellgate Bridge we did lots of different exercises to loosen up and learn how to interpret the 3D scene in front of us to a 2D medium. We then moved down below to river level, where Toby did an excellent demo and we worked on a river view scene. As well as demonstrating, Toby gave us all individual advice and attention. We made our way up to Durham Cathedral for lunch, where we picnicked in the Monk’s Garden. After another loosening up exercise and then a demo from Toby, we drew a section of the Cathedral, before we enjoyed everyone’s work and the day came to a close.

Watercolour is still a new medium for me, and as my Celtic knotwork is precise and 2D I’m still learning to loosen up my sketches and not be so precise (being a draughtsman daughter it’s hard work to loosen up 😄), but I learned so much on the workshop and am really pleased with what I created. I added some extra shadows to the sketches when I got home and the paint had dried.

It was a brilliant day and I would totally recommend going on one of Toby’s courses if you get the chance, or doing his online courses (which I’m also enrolled on) or watching his YouTube videos. It was a really informative and also relaxing day, spent with a great group of friendly and encouraging people. Thank you Toby.