Category Archives: Student Work

Inspiration, Flowers, & Youth Design Team

During our studio sessions, we learn to engage in the moment, to be enthralled with the process of drawing. Instead of always having high expectations for final artwork, we embrace the challenges and sweet little successes, even if those successes amount to just a few well-placed contour lines on a paper filled with frustrating attempts. Shown above, Mike works through the challenges of blocking and sketching studies of a statue bust. Persistence in solving problems can yield inspirational results for both student and teacher.

We are also learning that we never know where inspiration will come from, or when it will arrive… Continue reading Inspiration, Flowers, & Youth Design Team

Precise or Wonky Lines? Both Are Cool!

Last week our Level 3 students started to explore how ink and water flows on paper as they experimented with various line techniques. Shown above is Fiona’s first study of wonky lines and watercolor from a reference book on urban sketching.

During her private session on Saturday, Nicole lays watercolor onto her pencil sketch of a rose as she ponders the option of adding ink or keeping it only watercolor. We’ll see next week.

Continue reading Precise or Wonky Lines? Both Are Cool!

Students Explore the Benefits of Sketchbooks

Drawing Lab students work in sketchbooks to augment studies we usually do on larger paper. Our Wednesday and Thursday evening crews enjoy learning quick gesture sketches as well as longer, detailed studies of objects around the studio. Shown in the above photos, Lenore happily busted out a fine Picassoesque gesture sketch of the rooster, while Fiona swiftly studied textures and details of the rusty, old lantern.

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Our Thursday evening crew, deep in the sketchbook drawing zone

Regular practice in a sketchbook is an important aspect of improving observational drawing skills. The sketchbook is also a powerful tool for drawing from imagination, organizing ideas for projects, and journaling one’s deepest thoughts. Continue reading Students Explore the Benefits of Sketchbooks

In the Studio & In the Streets: Summer Highlights 2016

During the past several months, as always, our studio enjoyed opening the doors to a diverse mix of students from Santa Cruz as well as international visitors, all with diverse skill levels and interests in drawing. Our Drawing Lab sessions were festive yet focused on improving skills. Continue reading In the Studio & In the Streets: Summer Highlights 2016

Drawing Lab Students Get Sketchy

Drawing lessons take on a whole new meaning at the Scribbles Institute. We turn up the music, serve the snacks, and get serious about having fun learning to draw. Shown above, adult and youth students create abstract compositions while listening to different music genres. Please scroll down to view adult and youth Drawing Lab sessions, Draw With Your Kids sessions, classes in Santa Cruz and Monterey county schools, and our free meetups. Continue reading Drawing Lab Students Get Sketchy

School’s Out For Summer! Highlights 2013

WE MADE IT AT LAST! The final days of school are a wonderful time for taking pics and remembering the year’s highlights. The dedicated sketchers shown in the following photos worked with Rob for one or two full years. Whew! Lots of drawing sessions! Photo above is of the exceptionally creative sketching crew at Natural Bridges High School in Santa Cruz.

Special thanks to Sandy Mast, Santa Cruz Office of Education and Gary Vincent, Monterey Office of Education for bringing the Scribbles Institute Drawing Lab to eight Central Coast schools. And thanks to the teachers, staff, and wonderful students for the great moments over the five years I’ve been working with them.

Please scroll down to view highlights. Remember to click on images to view larger details. Enjoy! Continue reading School’s Out For Summer! Highlights 2013

Comparing Apples to Dolphin Skulls: Day in the Still Life of Drawing Lab Students

Variety is the spice of still life drawing. Whether drawing apples, oranges, or skulls, students in the Scribbles Institute Drawing Lab were very engaged this winter. Our in-depth sessions allowed students time to study composition, form, and techniques from a wide variety of objects. The apple shown above is by Jennifer, one of our Level 3 Drawing Lab participants. Using only primary colors (red, yellow, blue) she layered and blended Prismacolor pencils to achieve vibrant colors. Continue reading Comparing Apples to Dolphin Skulls: Day in the Still Life of Drawing Lab Students

Inspiration is a Two-Way Street: Cards From High School Drawing Students

Trying to inspire high school students can sometimes become exhausting. But when I receive one of these hand-drawn, collaborative cards, inspiration floods back to me ten-fold. Shown above is a beautiful colored pencil and marker Christmas card by Daryna at Natural Bridges High School.

Below are Birthday, Christmas, and Thank You cards from my collection. Alternative Education schools include Monterey Community School, Rancho Cielo Youth Campus in Salinas, Monterey County Youth Center in Salinas, and Natural Bridges High School in Santa Cruz. As I read the sentiments by students and teachers, remembering the many hours spent together learning about drawing, it’s easy to get a bit emotional. I would like to offer my thanks to them for being an inspiration to me in my teaching and my artwork. (Click to enlarge images.) Continue reading Inspiration is a Two-Way Street: Cards From High School Drawing Students