Sunday, November 10, 2 – 5 p.m.
The Accidental Historian
Young Artists Urban Sketching Workshops
Sunday in the Park with Thor
For students 14 to 24 years old, $5
Bridging past and present, this workshop guides students to capture the present day in a sketch beside the photographic past. Inspired by a 1920s photo by T.P. Robinson, we will sketch the Sperry Fountain at Lake Eola. The fountain is made of wrought iron and has a duck base with water flowing from the ducks’ beaks and an acanthus leaf.
Students in this workshop are tasked with creating a modern interpretation of the fountain. The sketch will begin with the same sepia watercolor tones that exist in the photo. In the distance, however, is the amphitheater, which is brightly painted with the colors of the rainbow. Trees will likely block your view of the fountain, but you will learn how to walk around to catch a view and add it to your sketch.
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
• 2 p.m. Meet inside the Orange County Regional History Center
• 2:05 p.m. Introductions
• 2:25 p.m. Tour of The Accidental Historian exhibit
• 3:15 p.m.Sketching instruction outside at Sperry Fountain at Lake Eola Park
• 4:30 p.m. Sketchbook Throwdown
About the Instructors: Thomas Thorspecken
Thomas “Thor” Thorspecken is an illustrator and journalist working in and around Central Florida. He attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City. In his ten years as a freelance illustrator in New York, one of his assignments for the Daily News included sketching historic buildings throughout the city for a column called “Undiscovered Manhattan.” Thor relocated to Orlando in 1993 to work for Disney Feature Animation. After a decade, the studio closed, and so he continued to pursue his passion for art through teaching and sketching.
His website and blog, www.analogartistdigitalworld.com, began in January 2009 with a resolution to post a sketch every day. He describes it as “his way to finally put down roots, to become part of a community, one sketch at a time.” More than 4,000 sketches later, he’s still capturing our community.
Follow Thor on Instagram: @analogartistdigitalworld, Twitter: @analogartist, Facebook: Analog Artist Digital World, and subscribe to his blog: www.analogartistdigitalworld.com
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!
