Workshop and Demonstration with #DavidLowther

Having seen David's work in exhibitions. we were looking forward to seeing how he achieved the effects in his work. 

Although described as Urban sketching, we started by experimenting with a painting of a still life, using a candle for a resist and ink or watercolours. This was to get us used to using the materials.

David demonstrated his technique and we could then experiment with this style ourselves. Considering this was new to some members, the results were quite impressive with a wide range of end results, often reflecting the individual's own interpretation of the still life.

​After a short break and a chance to view some of David's impressive Urban Sketches, we returned to either sketch along or watch him demonstrate how he drew a recent picture of Ordsall Hall.

Having already splattered some resist on the paper and roughly sketching out the building, he started to apply different shades of black ink, to block in areas. Using a smaller brush, he then added details. The next stages involved several types of white pens and markers to add highlights and window frames etc.  Finally, finishing by using an old toothbrush to splatter ink on areas of it and a block of carbon to darken the sky. 

This is a very simplified description as the sketch started to appear from those first early marks. Obviously, to do this has taken many hours of practice and like a lot of good artists he made it look so simple. Below is the original sketch on the left and the one on the right, completed for us in just over half an hour. 

A fascinating evening and one in which we all learnt a few tips to help with our sketching and ones which several of our members, who go out Urban Sketching, will be able to use in future.

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