Some Useful Links

Here is a list of a bunch of blogs, sites, tutorials etc that I have found very helpful. Hopefully they will be as helpful for you, too!

Websites:

Computer Arts
This is the site of a UK magazine that you can buy at Barnes and Knoble for an arm and a leg, or just go online and get lots of tutorials and articles for free!
Design Melt Down 2010
Creative Pro
Not just for graphic design; tons of useful tips, articles
Logo Pond
A great site to check out when you need inspiration for a logo
Gomediazine
A beautifully laid out site, with tutorials, articles, freebies
Logo Design Love
A site about the design of logos and brand identities
You The Designer
Articles, tutorials, freebie downloads
Wordle
A really cool and inspiring text cloud generator

Blogs:
Core77
Designers Who Blog
For graphic designers, photographers, marketers etc...


Tutorials:
Spoon Graphics
Tons of trendy tutorials, great for inspiration.
Worth 1000
Photoshop tutorials on Worth 1000, a great site not just for tutorials!
PSD Tuts
As the name implies, tutorials for Photoshop
Html Dog 
Tutorials on CSS, HTML from beginner to advanced.

Well, I think this is a decent amount to get the creative juices going!

The "Calendar of Events" page has been updated!

Please check the calendar for updated events through the end of September!

Drawing with Sisa

The drawing workshop given in Friday, June 10 by Sisa Sternback of the AANC (Artists Association of Northern Colorado) was awesome!

We weren't in the classroom but a few minutes before Sisa had us go outside and start working. Before starting though, she did have us do a quick sketch of a simple object - in order to get an idea of our skill levels. (The rock -shown above- was my subject, and you can imagine why the "sketch" of said rock was purposefully omitted from the photograph).

Anyway, here are a few pictures taken during the workshop...

Sisa and Jake Sparks working on the perspective of a curved building.

Jake Swain standing next to his masterpiece!

Jenn Blake with her fabulous peony flower sketch.

The weather was nice for drawing outside and with just 4 of us FRC2 members, it made for very personal attention from our instructor.

Sisa gave us some guidelines and allowed us to explore them with our own style, while working with each of us individually to understand certain drawing techniques while refining our skills.

Just before the end of our session, we went back inside for a critique of our work.

The 4 finished workshop sketches.

Here are a few quick resources and tips Sisa had offered to us:

Drawing Journal

Sisa's drawing journal with collected images, notes and sketches.

Keep a drawing journal! It can be used to collect inspiration, refine skills and develop a recorded history of your drawing progress.

Gesso it!

To get a little extra texture, paint gesso on your drawing paper.

A great book

This book, "How to draw what you see" by Rudy De Reyna, was highly recommended for anyone interested in furthering their drawing skills. After flipping through the book, we could see why....

Detail of book by Rudy De Reyna.

Open Studio Invitation

A sign-up sheet for those who are interested in participating in the figure drawing studio events.

We've been invited to attend AANC's Open Studio dates. Artists can bring their materials and create art together (with or without AANC membership). Suggested donation to the AANC Scholarship Fund: $3. Initially the studio subjects will be still life arrangements and eventually they will consider bringing in models.

Open Studios are held on Wednesdays between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, unless some other event is being held at the same time. Location: 148 W. Oak, Studio D (near the Taj Mahal restaurant in Old Town). If you have questions please contact the AANC here:

Artists Association of Northern Colorado
P.O. Box 1039
Fort Collins, Colorado 80522
970-226-9286
info@artistsassoc.org

Thank you Sisa! We had a great time and look forward to you coming back again.

Drawing workshop

Sharpen your skills with a drawing workshop!

Sisa Sternback with the AANC (Artists Association of Northern Colorado) will join us and guide an informal drawing workshop on Friday, June 10.

We will meet at our usual spot (BP117) on the FRCC Larimer Campus at 6pm. Weather permitting, we may work outside. So please bring a drawing board, if you have one.

The workshop will focus on basic drawing and/or sketching techniques geared to assist you in becoming more comfortable when approaching any and all of your projects. All skill levels are welcomed and encouraged to attend!

Sisa has many years experience in the graphic arts, fine arts and all operations of an art gallery. She serves on the board of directors for the AANC and recently took 2nd place in a National Show held at the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins.

Sisa with her award winning painting titled "Rawah Lake"

Here is a basic supply list for this workshop, however, if you do not have these things, please don't let it hold you back from attending! Extra supplies will be on hand for anyone who needs them.

• Soft drawing pencils (2B, F or #4), or any pencil or set of pencils you may have
• Vine charcoal (just a couple of pieces) - if you haven't used this before, you'll love it!
• White plastic and Grey charcoal (aka: Kneaded) erasers
• Sketch book, pad or any drawing paper

Large newsprint sheets and pencil sharpeners will be provided.

Please be prepared to learn some great techniques, break in to your own creative resources and have fun!

If you'd like to learn more about Sisa or the AANC, please check out the links below;

Sisa Sternback
AANC

Hope to see you there!