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Welcome to the Drawing Board #14!

Aaaannd we're back! After few months of summer break, we're back, and we have a few exciting offerings for August that I think you'll really enjoy. Also- be on the lookout for the return of the podcast! Adrian Brandon, a former student, TA, and *incredible* artist is up next! I'm very excited to share that conversation with you- stay tuned.

I'm starting the new semester off early with two new workshops! More below:

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Two New Workshops:

Looking to study online OR in-person with me? I'm thrilled to be able to offer two workshops this month:

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In-Person: Designing The Head:
Portrait Structure in Graphite Workshop​
​Evan Kitson & Sarah Annesley, Aug 9 - Aug 10
​The New York Academy of Art, NY, NY

This workshop offers an in-depth exploration of the structure, staging, and resolution of a portrait- from initial placement to final clarity. Participants will develop foundational strategies in placement and proportion, material functionality and mark-making, portrait anatomy, and design. Through live demonstrations, guided instruction, and focused work sessions, the instructors will help you navigate the evolving challenges of portrait drawing- recalibrating in the middle stages and refining your image without overworking or losing intent. Evan and Sarah will draw alongside participants, sharing their process in real time and bringing in finished examples for discussion. Each day includes drawing from a live model, individualized feedback, and ample time to apply new insights directly. Whether you're looking to strengthen your portrait structure or resolve your drawings with greater clarity and confidence, this weekend workshop is designed to move your practice forward.

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And I have an online workshop coming up soon after that:

Crosshatching and Mark-Making Workshop (8/17)
​The Open Sketchbook, Online

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Whether you're a seasoned draftsman or just starting to explore your voice in drawing, this one-day online workshop will expand how you see and use mark-making.

Join us for a hands-on deep dive into crosshatching, texture, tone, and the expressive potential of the drawn line. Learn to build dimensional form, sculpt light, and infuse your drawings with rhythm, structure, and energy- all through the strokes you choose.

Through live demos, lectures, and feedback, we'll explore: How to build form and volume with cross-contour marks, the expressive range of line quality and direction, creating texture and visual interest through layering, strategies for controlling tone and the light effect while balancing calligraphy, and tools and material choices for varied surfaces and effects.

This isn’t just about technique- it’s about seeing, thinking, and translating in new ways!​
You'll walk away with practical tools and a new relationship to the marks you make.

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Weekly Sketch Starter: Self-Portrait!

We've been sharing self-portraits over on the Open Sketchbook Instagram! Have you ever tackled the challenge of a self-portrait? Head over to our Instagram for some inspiration, and then try it yourself!

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Thanks for being a part of our community and staying up to the date on what we have going on! Lots of new things coming soon - it's been a busy summer! Be on the lookout for the return of the podcast and blog posts!

Happy drawing,
Evan​​

​​https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/​

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Check out the Virtual Studio:
​https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/bundles/virtual-studio​

Join our Discord:
​https://discord.gg/9r8x4k2YPk​