Continuous Line Urban Sketch Oaxaca with Meagan Burns Continuous Line Storytelling
4-Day, 5-Night On-Location Experience Tuesday, June 13 - Sunday, June 18, 2023
You're invited to join Artist/Instructor Meagan Burns and Art Leap Adventures on this grand opportunity to sketch this magical Mexican city. Oaxaca is celebrated for its colorful palette, delightful architecture, ancestral cuisine, captivating art and diversity both of its natural and cultural resources. We'll spend our time in this colonial city with its mystical undertones, as well as adventure out for two days of excursions: to a countryside traditional mercado for a colorful cultural experience, and to the ancient archeological site, Monte Albán.
Meagan has taken great care and consideration in designing this fresh workshop agenda that offers immersive opportunities to create your sketches of the architecture, people, mercados and parades of Oaxaca City, all while learning how to more efficiently capture these lively scenes using the concept of continuous line drawing — one powerful, moving line that dances across your page — a technique Meagan champions that helps artists of all skill levels better capture their experience of a location with a more organic and free flowing energy.
In this dynamic workshop, we are based at a charming Centro Historico hotel. We begin each day with drawing warmups before we set out to explore. We practice sketching the colorful scenes before us, as well as take time to sit in the main plaza to soak in this pueblo mágico (magical city) and take in the unfiltered essence of Oaxaca.
The world is a fast moving place these days and many customs and traditions are slipping away; this workshop is an opportunity to experience and personally capture some of Oaxaca's cultural traditions, while also experiencing the arts, ambiance and food of the region before it’s too late.
We're delighted to invite adventure-seeking artists to join Meagan for this 4-day unique urban sketching workshop in the colorfully chaotic streets of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Learning Goals
- Push through drawing fears as you fill your sketchbook with drawings of the people, food, architecture and live events during our time in Oaxaca - Gain a better understanding of composition and dealing with lively logistics through a continuous line practice - Build confidence by leaning into your own unique style of making lines and draw a parade while it's happening
Who Should Attend This Workshop
Those who curious to explore the world as an artist by documenting your travels in your sketchbook, with an interest in incorporating artistic tools that will expand your creativity and strengthen the trust of your inner artist. Be prepared to #alwaysbesketching on this workshop.
Level: You've sketched on location and are curious to do more
Meagan Burns Artist/Instructor originally from Chicago, first went to San Miguel de Allende in 2001 and now lives in Mexico City where she helps people plow through their drawing fears by practicing Continuous Line Urban Sketching online and in the fascinating streets of Mexico City and beyond. She rallied the San Miguel de Allende sketching community to become a Regional Chapter of Urban Sketchers in 2016, with artists sketching each week with the group from around the world. Background is marketing and graphic design, now she provides her community with art making opportunities, urban sketching and delicious tacos. Favorite motto: #makeartstaysane In this new era of traveling art workshops, every aspect has been considered to make all workshops a safe and positive experience. We invite you to take the leap and join us on this culturally rich and educational experience in Oaxaca.
Meagan's On-Location Oaxaca Drawings
Who Should Attend This Workshop
Those who curious to explore the world as an artist by documenting your travels in your sketchbook, with an interest in incorporating artistic tools that will expand your creativity and strengthen the trust of your inner artist. Be prepared to #alwaysbesketching on this workshop.
Level: You've sketched on location and are curious to do more
WORKSHOP COST: $1,050 USD Add Accommodations: $58 USD per night Single x 5 = $290 Add Travel to Oaxaca City (OAX)
Oaxaca City Hotel
Arrive: Tuesday, June 13, 2023 (or arrive the day before to get settled) Depart: Sunday, June 18, 2023 Airport Code: OAX Hotel Information will be sent upon receipt of registration $58 USD single room per night, includes breakfast*
We have a block of rooms reserved at a central located Oaxaca Centro hotel. You'll pay the hotel directly, approximately$58 USD per night for a charming yet basic and secure single room that includes breakfast.Meagan will confirm a room for you at the hotel once your registration is confirmed.
If you prefer to stay elsewhere for the duration of the workshop, please note your plans in the registration comment section. For ease of access, it is suggested to stay close to Oaxaca Centro in either a hotel or Airbnb of your choice.
Transportation
Oaxaca City (OAX) is a normally reached after a connection via Mexico City, a major hub and easily accessible from almost every corner of the world. Upon you arrival at the OAX airport, there is a verified Collectivo stand, where you purchase your shared van ride with a verified taxi driver. Our hotel is located less than 30 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic. You can choose a shared ride for $105 pesos, or a private van for $400 pesos, paid directly to the Collective stand. A very safe and economical way to travel to our hotel.
If you prefer, we can arrange a price driver to pick you up at the airport and deliver you directly to hotel for $850 pesos.
Workshop Agenda
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Arrive Hotel, or day before to get settled Welcome Dinner at Oaxaqueño Restaurant with local foods (included) Intros, Workshop Agenda
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel Meagan Burns Workshop: Let's Create a Continuous Line Practice Walk to main plaza: 1-hour Oaxaca Historical Talk with Local Guide as we draw on location Lunch Break Afternoon: Continuous Line Sketch Afternoon Sketchbook Review at local bar Dinner
Thursday, June 15, 2023 9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel Continuous Line Warm Up Practice and Sketching 9:30am Private van to Monte Alban Archeological Site Pyramid Sketching 2pm Depart Pyramid for Lunch Lunch Break Return to Hotel Sketchbook Review Dinner
Friday, June 16, 2023 9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel Continuous Line Warm Up Practice and Sketching 9:30am Private van to Traditional Oaxaqueño Mercado Mercado Sketching Lunch at Frida's Cocina in Mercado Visit to Local Textile Mercado Return to Hotel Sketchbook Review Dinner
Saturday, June 17, 2023 9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel Continuous Line Warm Up Practice and Sketching Noon: Plaza Santo Domingo for Wedding Parade Sketching Open Afternoon, finalize sketchbook, shopping Final Sketchbook Review Adios Dinner at Local Oaxaqueño Dinner (included)
Sunday, June 18, 2023 Local Breakfast at wonderful restaurant, hugs, goodbyes Check out and THE END
WORKSHOP COST: $1,050 USD Add Accommodations: $58 USD per night Single x 5 = $290 Add Travel to Oaxaca City (OAX)
50% Deposit due now to reserve your spot: $525 USD + $16 Transaction Fee = $541 Balance Due May 31, 2023, $525 USD + $16 Transaction Fee = $541 **See below for cancellation policy
PRICE INCLUDES: Continuous Line Urban sketching Workshop with Meagan Burns Welcome Traditional Oaxaqueño Dinner Cultural Talk with Local Guide Transportation and Lunch to Traditional Mercado (all day excursion) Last Night Oaxaqueño Dinner Tour management by Meagan Burns // Art Leap Adventures
NOT INCLUDED: Airfare/Transportation to Oaxaca City (OAX) Transportation to Oaxaca City Hotel (see hotel information above) Food & Drinks except for Welcome Dinner, Mercado All-Day Excursion, Last Night Celebration (breakfast is included in your hotel reservation) Alcohol, shopping, incidental food, taxi and tips at your discretion Transaction Fee Proof of Vaccination Required Trip Insurance: suggested providers (but please use your own if preferred): Squaremouth – https://www.squaremouth.com/travel-insurance-quotes More COVID policy info: https://www.squaremouth.com/press-room/travel-insurance-coronavirus best choices on Squaremouth: – HTH Worldwide, TripProtector Preferred, includes COVID cancellation – Trawick Intl, Safe Travels Voyager, includes COVID cancellation – TinLeg Gold, includes COVID cancellation another provider: https://www.insuremytrip.com
Why you need trip insurance: Oaxaca doesn’t have a robust healthcare system like you’re used to, so if you have a serious fall, get sick, or the taxi you’re in has an accident, it could be very pricey to get you home for treatment. Therefore, we’re requiring everyone to purchase travel insurance for this trip (include medical evacuation of at least $50,000, international accident & health insurance including primary medical coverage, and trip cancellation coverage). There are also trip policies that include COVID cancellations. We recommend that you get PRIMARY medical coverage, not secondary. We encourage you to purchase trip insurance with “Cancel for Any Reason” to cover you for unexpected circumstances.
Who Should Attend This Workshop
Those who curious to explore the world as an artist by documenting your travels in your sketchbook, with an interest in incorporating artistic tools that will expand your creativity and strengthen the trust of your inner artist.
Level: You've sketched on location and are curious to do more
Oaxaca Weather
Dress in Layers! Oaxaca enjoys almost year-round ideal weather, although it does have a rainy season which begins around late June. Your smartphone weather app may say rain for the day, but generally speaking the rains move in around 4pm and are done by 6pm, so rain showers are brief. Dressing in layers is your best bet, having some rain gear and a back-up pair of shoes in slight chance we get caught in the rain.
Covid Safety
This workshop is designed to be mostly outside and many of Mexico City's restaurants are now out in the streets, although generally speaking much of life has always been lived in the streets in Mexico.Proof of vaccination is required to attend this workshop, as it is show of respect and regard for being a tourist in Mexico. If you have any further concerns about the Covid situation in Mexico, please feel free to reach out to Meagan, but I have been living in Mexico City since 2021 and have found it somewhat easy to navigate an outdoor existence because so much happens outside. Personal responsibility is necessary and current boosters are requested; let's do what we can to ensure the group has a safe and enjoyable workshop experience.
If Covid protocols are required by Mexican Government and/or City Officials, we will abide and you must agree to abide.
Suggested Art Materials
I use Canson XL Watercolor 140lb 9"x12" plus Hahnemuhle 100% cotton; I combine these sketchbooks into one and have them spiral bound at my local Office Depot. What's in My Art Bag: Sailor Dude de Mannen Fountain Pen (or similar of your choice) Sharpie Fine Point Markers Quality Watercolors in Travel Pan Set (Daniel Smith is recommended) Quality Watercolor Brushes Pentel Brush Pens Platinum Carbon Ink (for Sailor and Pentel Brush) HB Pencil Gum Eraser Water Containers Paper Towels Water Bottle (for you to drink) Backpack to carry all your supplies Tiny stool for sitting (highly recommended to have a handy portable stool to sit on;I have the Cooseon 10" folding stool, folds up nicely and fits in my backpack, but others prefer the Walkstool Comfort) Sun Hat + sturdy walking shoes Layers of clothes for chilly mornings, warm afternoons, rainy evenings A regard for the safety of yourself and others Your enthusiasm and sense of adventure
Additional art supplies of your preference *It is not an option to attend this urban sketch workshop and not participate in the sketching activities
- Minor agenda changes may occur, but the substance of the tour will remain. - Please always be armed with your walking shoes, N95 masks, sun hat, sketch bag and sense of adventure, as there will be sketching prompts throughout the workshop, as well as unforeseen circumstances that naturally occur in Mexico. We'll roll with the changes and ask for your patience if a change in the agenda is necessary. - Group is limited to 9 participants + Meagan - During our group meals; we will have one bill per table and you must pay for what you consume plus a 20% tip. Please keep track of what you consume. - Food sensitivities can be accommodated with proper notification, but please know that corn is an extremely important ingredient in the food and culture in Mexico. Vegan and vegetarian options exists, with diligence, yet currently this ALA agenda includes meat and corn.
Physical ability to walk unassisted and stand for extended periods is absolutely necessary.
50% Deposit due now to reserve your spot: $525 USD + $16 Transaction Fee = $541 Balance Due May 31, 2023, $525 USD + $16 Transaction Fee = $541
Cancellation Policy
1) All individual cancellations must be made in writing and are effective upon receipt.
2) If you have paid your deposit or trip fee and are unable to attend due to medical emergency, you will receive a 100% refund up until May 15, 2023.
3) If you need to cancel after May 15, 2023, please contact Meagan and we can discuss the options for the possible refund of monies.
4) If a waiting list of interested participants has formed, we will put you in contact with the first person on the list to whom you can offer your class spot. If the person accepts and then pays the workshop fee in total, you will be reimbursed for your workshop fee.
5) If there is no waiting list, you can transfer your paid fees to another ALA travel workshop within 12 months. However this option is not possible if canceled within two months or less until workshop date.
6) Participant expenses incurred in preparation for the trip (e.g., non-refundable purchased airline tickets) are not the responsibility of ALA. It is required to obtain medical/trip cancellation insurance for this reason.
7) If an emergency occurs and you must make a change to your participation status, please contact Meagan to discuss.
Who Should Attend This Workshop
Those who curious to explore the world as an artist by documenting your travels in your sketchbook, with an interest in incorporating artistic tools that will expand your creativity and strengthen the trust of your inner artist. Be prepared to #alwaysbesketching on this workshop.
Level: You've sketched on location and are curious to do more
Register: Continuous Line Urban Sketch Oaxaca with Meagan June 2023
Oaxaca City is a fascinating and mystical city, and I invite you to join me on this 4-day urban sketching adventure. Each morning we'll gather after breakfast in our Oaxaca Centro hotel before heading out together for the day. Each evening we'll gather to review our sketches and then enjoy a meal in a local restaurant. Bring your sketchbook, a small kit of drawing materials, solid walking shoes and your sense of adventure and curiosity: this promises to be a special trip.