Artist in Focus: Renaissance Artist Sketches
Tutor: Rachel Moore, print artist
Welcome to Artist in Focus! A series of relaxed monthly art sessions with VVH print maker and artist, Rachel Moore. Rachel introduces a mix of well-known and lesser-known artists working in painting, printmaking, textiles and sculpture.
In each session, Rachel explores a different artist’s story and work before leading three short, creative exercises inspired by the artist’s style. These sessions are all about loosening up, building on your knowledge, experimenting with new techniques and filling your sketch book with fresh ideas. Rachel finishes each session with a focused activity to explore on your own, helping you develop your skills, and spark new ways of thinking about art.
Perfect for all levels, Artist in Focus is for anyone looking to give art a go, explore new techniques, expand their skills and knowledge, and fill their sketch book with fresh ideas.
In this Artist in Focus session, Rachel explores sketches by the Renaissance artists - think Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo, revealing how these early marks shaped some of history’s greatest masterpieces. A sketch is often the first step in bringing an idea to life. Whether capturing a fleeting moment or planning a larger work, sketches offer a unique insight into an artist’s process, showing creativity in its rawest form.
Preparation
Prepare your materials and find a sturdy table or floor to work on.
Video time
30 minutes
- Mid-tone coloured paper - blue, brown or grey. Brown packaging paper works very well for this!
- Something white to draw with e.g. chalk, pastel, chinagraph pencil, acrylic paint pen
- Something black or dark to draw with e.g. Sketching pencil (4B or softer), charcoal, chalk, pastel
The idea isn’t to buy lots of new equipment but to use what you have!
Artist in Focus: Mary Seton Watts
Don't worry if you missed the last session of the Artist in Focus series, you can catch up here and explore the work of Art and Crafts ceramicist Mary Seton Watts - known for her distinctive Celtic-inspired Art Nouveau style.
