Urban Sketching with Melissa Phelps

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Urban Sketching with Melissa Phelps

Fall 2026 Semester

Ages 16+ - $350/semester

Monday Evenings, 4p-6p; 10 classes total

Sept 14-Nov 16, 2026

What is it?

● It's all about storytelling: Think of it as creating a visual journal of your travels and daily life without needing a camera.

● "En plein air" vibes: Basically, we're taking the art studio outside into public spaces to document the world around us.

● Total creative freedom: You get to decide what's important! Choose exactly what you want to show, how you want to show it, and what you'd rather leave out.

● Super social: You won't be alone! You'll be learning and sketching alongside a friendly group of fellow creatives.

● Cool subjects: We'll practice sketching everything from local buildings and moving people to the very spaces you spend time in.

● The perks: It's a fun, low-pressure way to build your drawing and painting skills while making new friends and keeping an awesome visual journal.

Monday evenings from 4-6pm.

One hour in the studio and one hour out and about!

Tentative Syllabus:

September 14: Introduction to Urban sketching and overview of techniques for capturing scenes in varying mediums, choosing the right spot, and how to create engaging compositions. *Sketching Location outside SBDAC

September 21: Overview and crash course in atmospheric and linear perspective. *Sketching location: TBA

September 28: Basics in human proportion, and combining human proportion with linear and atmospheric perspective *Sketching location: TBA

October 5: Crash course in basic color theory *Sketching location TBA

October 12: class Critique and media exploration *Sketching location TBA

October 19: Sketching location TBA-class critique

October 26: Sketching location TBA-class critique

November 2: Sketching location TBA-class critique

November 9: Sketching location TBA-class critique

November 16: Last class/Show and critique!

SUPPLY LIST:

*Multimedia sketch pad: at least 90lb paper (The heavier the better)

Size varies, I like working larger, so 8 ½ X 11 or 9 X 12 Hard cover

*Set of waterproof ink pens or an ultra fine sharpie and a fine tip sharpie *small ruler

*Pencils (Mechanical is good to keep you from having to sharpen in the field)

*small tupperware container to hold water

*small set of pan watercolor paints

*White gel pen

Once registration is complete you will receive an email invoice link for your class. Invoice must be paid before the beginning of course. YOU WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNTIL INVOICE IS PAID IN FULL

Make up policy *

I understand there will be NO make-up classes offered through SBDAC for missed group lessons or classes by the individual. Instructors may provide a designated make up week for individual or private lessons within reason. Should the instructor be unable to provide their contracted obligation due to extenuating circumstances, the instructor will be obligated to provide a make-up lesson on a specified date outside the noted schedule by way of contract. For private lessons should you fail to notify the instructor 24 hours before the scheduled lesson, you forfeit the lesson. These terms are subject to change at the discretion of administration.

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Is registrant/payor the same as the student attending this class? *

Yes

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