Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The Accidental Historian
Young Artists Urban Sketching Workshops
Ink & Twig: Capturing Brutalist Architecture in Urban Sketch
For students 14 to 24 years old, $5
Brutalism was an architectural movement that flourished from the 1950s to the mid-1970s. The term originates from the French word for “raw” as used by the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier to describe his choice of material as béton brut (raw concrete). The aesthetic appeal of Brutalism sprang from its sculptural potential, and the style was generally favored by architects who saw buildings as works of art. Brutalism is a very cerebral style. The Orlando Public Library exemplifies the style, with its “raw,” textured concrete facade. The original, easternmost section, 60,000 square feet, was built in 1966 and was designed by John M. Johansen. From 1982 to 1985, the building was enlarged to 290,000 square feet, with Schweizer Associates guiding the expansion to follow Johansen’s design.
The sketching technique of Chinese ink and twig perfectly captures the “raw” pure art form of Brutalist buildings. With only a bit of ink and a sharpened twig, you will capture the raw textural facade. In this workshop taught by landscape architect Art Esteban and architect Gay Geiger, participants will learn a bit about the history of the Brutalist architectural style in Orlando and how to sketch with ink and twig to capture an urban setting.
This workshop is open to students aged 14 to 24. All skill levels are welcome. Sketching materials will be provided by Sam Flax Orlando. The sketching portion of the workshop will take place outdoors. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather and bring water and a snack. Participants can bring a folding chair or stool to sit.
Workshop schedule
• 10 a.m. Meet inside the Orange County Regional History Center
• 10:05 a.m. Introductions
• 10:25 a.m.Tour of The Accidental Historian exhibit
• 11:15 a.m. Sketching instruction outside of Orlando Public Library
• 12:30 p.m. Sketchbook Throwdown
About the Instructors: Art Esteban & Gay Geiger
Art Esteban is a landscape architect, off-road cyclist, and avid urban sketcher. He has traveled to several Urban Sketchers Symposiums and taken ink-and-twig workshops with the Malaysian sketcher and instructor Kiah Kiean. Follow Art’s adventures on Instagram @artistotle_05.
Gay Geiger is an architect with SchenkelShultz Architecture in Orlando. She grew up in a small town in Wisconsin, learning to sketch from her father. She moved to Central Florida in 1980 and has been practicing architecture since 1987. Although Gay sketched buildings and entourage for many years, it wasn’t until 2015 that she was able to define her sketching interests as “urban sketching.” See more of Gay’s work on Instagram @gaygeiger.
About the Series: The Accidental Historian Young Artists Urban Sketching Workshops
Catch the world around you one sketch at a time! Join Urban Sketchers Orlando for any, or all three, sketching workshops in downtown Orlando for artists aged 14 – 24. In conjunction with the History Center’s newest exhibition, The Accidental Historian, these classes for all skill levels will get you sketching on location and capturing history as it happens. All art supplies are included, courtesy of Sam Flax!
