Online Class: Irises: Close-up Cross-Contour Drawing

Inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s pencil studies of irises and their distinct cross-contour lines, this class will focus on drawing nature in a close-up view. Through interactive demos, instructor Sudeshna Sengupta will teach participants how to use cross-contour drawing to capture the illusion of volume and how thin and thick lines can be used to create descriptive directional strokes for shading. By emphasizing the meditative qualities of observational drawing, this class is designed to make this art form accessible and enjoyable.
Supplies needed for this class:
Mixed-media drawing pad in Strathmore 400 series or any other brand in any size between 9” x 12” and 11” x 14”. Larger pads will work well also. Thicker paper (140 lb or higher) is better.
A set of 2B, 4B, & 6B graphite pencils and an eraser
Optional: Charcoal Pencils in Medium (2B) and Soft/Dark (4B or 6B).
3 to 5 Blending stumps (AKA Tortillons, often comes with drawing pencil sets) and or Q-tips
Optional: Masking tape to keep the paper flat especially is the pad is larger.
Optional: Color pencils or pastels or conte if anyone wants to add a hint of color.
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This class is suitable for youth ages 12 and up. Children are welcome to participate alongside their adults.
Space is limited, reservations required.
This program will take place via the video conferencing app – ZOOM. Details for accessing the Zoom meeting will be with your receipt upon registering and again sent via email the day prior. Please register in advance in order to access the program.
Note that all program times are in Mountain Time.
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About the Instructor:
Sudeshna Sengupta’s career as a teaching artist spans multiple decades, continents, and cultures that inform her pedagogy for decolonizing studio art. She received her Master of Fine Arts degree in 1985 from Visva-Bharati, an international university founded in India, by the humanist poet Tagore, the first non-European Nobel Laureate (1913). After teaching art and design at college level in New Delhi, Seattle, and California, she taught at NMSU-Alamogordo, where she established its first intaglio printmaking studio in 1995. Since moving to Santa Fe a few years ago, she has been teaching credit courses in online studio art at the Santa Fe Community College. She also conducts workshops and short courses and presents lectures and community-based art events for various age groups with civic, cultural, and community organizations in the US and in India, often with a focus on multicultural and inter-cultural experiences that emphasize human, cultural, and environmental connectedness through creativity. To see her art please visit: https://notes-and-doodles.com

This class is being offered on a sliding scale.
$10; minimal fee.