Drawing League

Please Visit Our New Website!

2011-06-17T08:04:00.000-07:00

To see the latest student drawings from Santa Cruz and Monterey schools as well as our new Scribbles Institute drawing studio at 303 Potrero #59 Santa Cruz, California 831.421.0774:
Drawing League schools and student work: Click here
Our new website: Click here

What Do You Want to Draw Today?

Middle School Sketchers Get Real With Graphite and Charcoal

2011-03-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

Our middle school students wrapped up their 4-week, Level 1 course with a very productive session of drawing things from real life. They explored using woodless graphite pencils and compressed charcoal sticks. Classes took place on Saturday mornings in our new studio/classroom.

Students made quick sketches of squash and pumpkins in various positions as they studied curved contours and 'roundness'. Above left are studies in pencil by Megan. To the right is her large-format, finished charcoal drawing.

Moshe cranked out various squash studies (above left). And to the right, is his large contour drawing of the squash and smaller skull sketches.

Hannah put together a number of excellent studies (above left) of the squash, skull, and a banana peel (she got hungry from all the drawing!). And she finished the day with a wonderful large-format charcoal drawing.

Hannah also made an amazingly accurate contour rear-view drawing of the skull (above left) and finished a piece from her imagination that she started last week.

Above left is Megan's cross-hatch drawing from the previous week, and to the right is Hannah's cross-hatch work. Students started with a smaller study sketch; then took it to large-format paper while keeping the same proportions. They cross-hatched lines to create textures and tones.

The crew (above left) took a break to pose with Bob the skull (each group has their own special name for the skull). As Moshe was working on some concept sketches, Megan commented that his spacecraft looked like a toaster. From then on, everyone's drawings looked like toasters. Our next session will be even more fun and challenging as we explore concept drawing.

Want to see more pics of these sketchers in action? Click 'Read more' below...

Objects of Desire to Draw

2011-03-14T11:27:00.000-07:00

Adult sketchers, Levels 2 and 3, enjoy using our new studio/classroom for a 4-week course of intensive object drawing. The drawing classes take place in the afternoons and evenings and challenge students' observational skills.

Working from still life objects such as large shells and plaster casts of hands, everyone concentrated on accurate proportions, contour edges, and creating tonal values with charcoal.

To step up the challenge, we threw a plaster-cast bust into the mix with wonderful results! Students learned to sketch and measure the larger shapes before finishing with contours and tones. Shown above are drawings in progress by Kirsten (left) and Helen (right).

Getting used to drawing with charcoal was each student's first step. Above left is a charcoal study of a shell by Adam. And to the right is his 3-tone charcoal drawing of a hand and sphere, showing how he quickly adapted to using charcoal.

As students made 3-tone drawings from the plaster cast, they concentrated on blocking-in basic shapes, measuring accurate proportions, and drawing natural looking contours. Afterward, they added the 3 tones--dark shadows, mid tones, and highlights. Then the fun began: lots of smudging, smearing, erasing, and blending of tones! Above, shown clockwise, are drawings by Matt, Michele, Kirsten, and Allison.

To the left are Helen's study sketches and her finished charcoal drawing.

Draw to Learn School Spotlight: Natural Bridges High School Sketchers Excel

2011-03-13T18:35:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air! And it's easy to get distracted from doing school work. But one group of dedicated sketchers has turned up the heat and remains focused on improving their skills.

Natural Bridges High School sketchers have been very focused during the past several weeks and have pulled together amazing sketches, from beginner through advanced ability levels. Here are some of the highlights:

Images shown clockwise, starting upper left: Thairie smears, smudges, and erases his way through a drawing of a plaster cast; Gianna puts a delicate touch to contrasting shadows and highlights while drawing in charcoal from a plaster cast; Gianna's drawing shows how she started with accurate contour lines and proportions before carefully adding lighter and darker tones; The plaster cast drawn by Thairie shows accurate proportions and perspective, bold contours, and tones for shadows, mid-tones, and highlights.

Shown at left is a superb charcoal study of a plaster cast hand. The drawing shows very accurate details and proportions--a full hour of intense concentration! The artist is NB sketcher, Katia. To view more more work by NB sketchers: Click here

Middle Schoolers Start Drawing at Our New Studio/Classroom!

2011-03-01T17:23:00.000-08:00

The first middle school students to use our new drawing facility are producing brilliant work. Moshe, Hannah, and Megan are learning about contour edges and proportions as they explore using various kinds of charcoal and pencils. They're also working with Rob on their own projects. Check out the pics of our fantastic young sketchers...

To view more pics of these intrepid sketchers click 'Read more' below...

Latest Music Video with Drawing League Students

2011-02-05T09:34:00.000-08:00

To view more of our music videos please visit our YouTube channel.

Premiere Issue of Drawing League Magazine

2011-01-08T10:22:00.000-08:00

Check it out! Flip through highlights from last year's (Fall 2009-Spring 2010) high school and adult Drawing League Students:

Open publication - Free publishing - More sketching

Purchase copies of Drawing League magazine for family, friends, your school: Click here

Download a PDF of Drawing League magazine: Click here

We're currently working on the Fall 2010-Spring 2011 issue.

New Adult Drawing Classes in September and October at the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center

2010-08-04T11:58:00.000-07:00

Attention: past, present, and future adult students! I'm planning for Fall classes and am excited that so many of you wish to continue exploring ways to Draw the Moment! It's also WAY cool that a lot of people are interested in taking our beginners Level 1 class. A special thanks to Gretchen, Linda, and Rhea at the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center for helping with scheduling and providing such an awesome facility for our sessions. I look forward to drawing with everyone soon! --Rob

New! Beginners Class (Level 1) at the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center

Explore drawing for enjoyment, work, and school. Draw the Moment is a fun and informative series of 4 adult workshop/classes for beginners, especially those who think they can't draw! Students are encouraged to express their own styles as they build confidence in spontaneous doodling, sketching ideas, and drawing realistically.

•Wednesdays, September 8, 15, 22, 29, 7:00-9:15 p.m.

To register: Click here

New! Advanced Class (Level 3) at the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center

By popular request, I'm combining the previous Level 1 and Level 2 groups (Val, Kirsten, Helen, Sharon, Matt, Michele, Penny, Allison) for an advanced Draw the Moment session. We'll further explore techniques and principles including composition, form, and light and shadow.

• Wednesdays, October 6, 13, 20, 27 7:00-9:15 pm

This session with the Santa Cruz Mountains Sketchers will be a lot of fun! Cost is $100 for members, $125 non-members; $10 material fee

Questions?: email

Attn: Val, Kirsten, Helen, Sharon
I'm offering 2 special classes to help you prepare for Level 3. We all decided that it would be nice to have a couple of lessons to catch up with the Level 2 group. If you're still interested, here are the evenings available at the Art Center: Wednesday, August 25, 7:00-9:15pm. Wednesday, September 1, 7:00-9:15pm. Cost is $50

Please let me know asap if you can join us: email

New Music Video: Exploring Colored Pencils

2010-06-07T19:14:00.001-07:00

Adult students at the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center, Ben Lomond, California experiment with the unique blending qualities of Prismacolor pencils. They started with a yellow base color, then built up layer upon layer of blue, red, and yellow resulting in vibrant hues. The music video features Penny, Michele, Allison, and Matt from the SCMAC Sketchers. Turn up the volume on your computer speakers and enjoy!

To view our videos in large HD splendor please visit our YouTube channel.

Online Student Show: Drawings from Fall, 2009 to Spring, 2010

2010-05-20T14:15:00.000-07:00

drawings left to right: Miranda, Zach

What a Year! Our Online Student Show features student drawings from six different schools in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. The theme of the show is Drawing from Observation and Imagination. All students have drawings posted!

To check out the wonderful drawings: Click here

Drawing Students Get "Squashed" and Other Learning Adventures

2010-05-18T17:47:00.001-07:00

Salinas Sketchers and Rancho Cielo Sketchers Get Squashed!
Students launched into drawing from life as they drew squash and other 3D objects. Some REALLY fine study sketches emerged out of the session.
To view Rancho Cielo Sketchers: Click here
To view Salinas Sketchers: Click here

Exploring 3D
Adult beginners at the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center learn about roundness and perspective drawing. Check it out: Click here

Lots of Drawing Happening in Monterey!
Students at Monterey Community Day School learned about positive and negative space, form, and proportions.
To view Monterey Community Day Sketchers: Click here

Online Exhibit: Getting Surreal & Absolutely Abstract

2010-05-18T17:19:00.000-07:00

This ongoing exhibit features the highly imaginative work of students from Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. After studying the art styles of abstract artists (Kandinsky and Mondrian), the Surrealists (Miro and Dali), and the Cubists (Picasso and Braque) these students cut loose with compositions of their own. If you drew an abstract, it's posted! To view exhibit: Click here

Drawing by Darrian, Success Academy

Getting Sketchy at the Art Center

2010-04-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

Adult students at the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center learn the value of study sketches, positive and negative space, and proportions.

Check out their stellar drawings: Click here

Exhibit Your Best Work: Online Student Show, 2010

2010-04-04T16:46:00.000-07:00

Attention all sketchers, show your best drawings! Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 20, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Sketcher Spotlight: Juan Arroyo

2010-04-02T23:24:00.003-07:00

"Drawing is important for me because I love to draw what I have inside of me and what I imagine."
Read about Rancho Cielo sketcher Juan Arroyo and view his amazing drawings: Click here

Sketching Like Van Gogh

2010-03-01T16:57:00.000-08:00

Drawing of Vincent Van Gogh's artwork by Miranda, Highlands School

Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890), one of history’s most important artists, taught himself how to sketch quickly. I always encourage my students to use Van Gogh’s energetic line work and ’sketchiness’ in their pencil strokes. We all know about trying to draw careful, ‘perfect’ lines. But for the brave students who take on the challenge of drawing from Van Gogh’s rapid sketching technique, the experience can transform their skills and move them to an exciting new level. –Rob

Visit our online gallery to view sketches by students and teachers (they like drawing too!) from different schools who cut loose and got sketchy with Van Gogh. Is your Van Gogh in the gallery?: Click here

‘Draw to Learn’ Returns to Salinas and Rancho Cielo Community Schools

2009-12-03T11:43:00.001-08:00

Salinas Sketchers drawing in the morning sun

Looking forward to the new semester, Salinas Community School will have a strong drawing group returning to the lineup including Pedro (the drawing machine!), Carlos, Ruby, Erik, and Eduardo. We’ll be seeing amazing work from new sketchers including Aris, Lizette, and Jose. To check out their latest drawings click here.

Cruising into the gate and an action drawing by Juan of Rancho Cielo Youth Campus

With many of the same sketchers returning for the new semester–Juan, Eric, Wells, Angelique, Jiovany, and Enrique to name some–there will be a lot of excellent sketching going on at Rancho Cielo Youth Campus. New students will include Kevin, Nikkie, Tisha, Abby, Cassandra, and Jesus. To catch their latest drawings click here.