Ilga Leimanis

This course will take place on location - museums, sites of architectural significance, urban environments, parks and gardens. We will observe and record the details and atmosphere of the city using a variety of materials that will be explored as expressive tools in their own right. Sessions typically will start with demonstrations of how to use different materials or techniques. We will work through simple exercises to help simplify and render perspective and consistent scale in your drawings. We will also look at examples of historical and contemporary work to see how others have interpreted city and landscapes. This course is suitable for everyone, from complete beginners to seasoned sketchers and will improve your creative thinking, hand-eye co-ordination and observational skills. The aim of this course is to establish a sketchbook practice and you will leave the programme with a full sketchbook and many ideas. The course will cover walks, drawing at different speeds and durations, one and two point perspective, measuring and proportion, texture and surface patination, space, depth, and tone.

Ilga Leimanis MA is a London-based artist who exhibits internationally. She has taught workshops on freehand sketching, townscape sketching and life drawing at the Bartlett School of Planning and contemporary architectural and engineering practices, including Adams Kara Taylor, Foster + Partners, Kohn Pedersen Fox and Make. See Ilga's websites www.ilgaleimanis.com and www.orteliusdrew.com