Abstract Sketching workshop
Maggie Exner
Wed May 26, 2021
6:00pm - 7:30pm
In this Abstract Sketching workshop, artist Maggie Exner will share her work as an abstract artist and discuss the importance of inventing a language. She will lead participants through a warm-up of developing libraries of lines, shapes, and patterns to use as their symbolic language in their abstract work. Then she will lead a guided sketch activity where attendees reference things in their own visual library to create dynamic abstract compositions. In this guided sketch, participants will create clusters of simple shapes, lines that divide their paper, more detailed shapes, repetition, color, and shading.
Participants can use any drawing or painting materials they have at home, though she encourages having at least three tools for variety.
Recommended supplies:
- Paper (mixed media or something a bit thicker than regular drawing paper) Participants will need about 3 sheets
- Pencil & Eraser
- Archival Ink Pens in several sizes (Recommended brands: Copic Multiliners, or Micron; thin and medium sharpie markers also work)
- Coloring tools of choice: colored pencils, markers, and/or watercolor paints
Maggie Exner is a visual artist, educator, and musician originally from Memphis, TN. Exner holds a master’s degree in art education from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree in studio art from Rhodes College in Memphis. She currently teaches art at The Austin School for the Performing & Visual Arts and has worked as a teaching artist for The Contemporary Art School, The University of Texas, Mother Falcon Music Lab, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, and Creative Action. In her teaching, Exner values contemporary art practices, student choice, and collaboration. In her studio practice, Exner specializes in mixed media illustration.
