Mixed Media Reportage Oaxaca with Veronica Lawlor Expressive On-Location Storytelling
4-Day, 5-Night On-Location Experience Tuesday, June 13 - Sunday, June 18, 2023
This Mixed Media Reportage Oaxaca workshop combines on-site reportage drawing with cultural exploration of one of Mexico's most mystical and magical cities, with an opportunity to expand your on-location sketching chops. Please join New York City based illustrator/educator Veronica Lawlor for this dynamic reportage workshop taking place in the culturally rich streets of Oaxaca City, Mexico, where participants will have the opportunity to draw live events throughout the workshop while employing techniques and tools to develop and support your storytelling skills through the use of mixed media.
We'll be based in Oaxaca's Centro Historico where we can enjoy drawing in the streets and workshop lessons presented by Veronica Lawlor, while safely enjoying a culturally rich experience in the Mexico's southern mystical city, The world is a fast moving planet these days and many customs and traditions are slipping away across the world; this workshop will be an opportunity to explore some of Oaxaca's cultural traditions, while also experiencing the arts, ambiance and food of the region.
We're delighted to invite adventure-seeking artists to join Veronica for this 4-day Mixed Media Reportage workshop in the colorfully chaotic streets of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Level: Advanced Beginners; You've sketched on location
LEARNING GOALS
Our overall goal is to confidently capture what we find on location, and carry back the stories of our time in Oaxaca. This workshop is a travel experience and we’ll learn to record it through short workshop exercises and longer form reportage drawings. By successful completion of this workshop, you will: - Draw people, food, architecture and live events throughout the workshop - Work with the tools of picture making and framing to tell a story on location - Use mixed media to bring more expressiveness to your location drawings - Gain a better understanding of the language of reportage drawing
MESSAGE FROM VERONICA
Reportage illustration is the art of capturing the world as it happens around you through on-site drawings. I think it’s the best way to travel and experience new cultures. Using the tools of reportage and mixed media you’ll fill your sketchbook with personal impressions of the magic of the city, and memories of your time in Oaxaca.
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.
VERONICA LAWLOR AND REPORTAGE ILLUSTRATION
WHO IS VERONICA LAWLOR
Veronica Lawlor’s reportage illustrations have led her around the world, creating award-winning illustrations for numerous design and branding agencies, including Chase and the 3M corporation. Her emotionally charged reportage drawing series of the 9/11 attack on New York City was featured in the Newseum in Washington DC, and exhibited at the NYC Fire Museum. In 2011 Veronica was nominated by Canson USA as their representative for the Canson Prix, and her work was presented at the Louvre. Veronica is an Urban Sketchers correspondent, a member of Studio 1482 illustration, and the author/illustrator of several books for children and adults, including The Urban Sketching Handbook: Reportage and Documentary Drawing. A professor at Parsons School of Design and Pratt Institute, she teaches reportage workshops world-wide.
Veronica has teamed up with artist/instructor/workshop creator Meagan Burns, an American now living in Mexico City, who has built a solid hospitality network of local business partners who together help create a rich Oaxaca experience by exploring the best areas to for making art in Oaxaca.
We'll be based in the Centro neighborhood where we can enjoy drawing in the streets and workshop lessons presented by Veronica, while safely enjoying a culturally rich experience in the southern Mexico city, one of the most important cultural cities of the world. Veronica is the second illustrator/instructor in the "Drawing Mexico" workshop series, an opportunity for artists to explore mixed media drawing techniques in charming Mexican destinations.
WHO IS MEAGAN BURNS
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 one of her Mexican workshops.
VERONICA'S DRAWINGS
WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS WORKSHOP
The "Drawing Mexico" workshop series offer artists who've sketched on location an opportunity to develop their storytelling skills through drawing and mixed media from professional educators; all participants should have a drawing practice in place and a curiosity to develop their skill.
Level: Advanced Beginners; You've sketched on location
WORKSHOP COST: $1,300 USD Add Accommodations: $58 USD per night Single x 5 = $290 Add Travel to Oaxaca City (OAX)
OAXACA CITY HOTEL
Five Nights, Six Days Arrive: Tuesday, June 13, 2023 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, once your registration is confirmed; Meagan will confirm a room for you at the hotel.
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.
WORKSHOP AGENDA *All workshops include instructor demo and individualized instruction
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Arrive Hotel Welcome Dinner at Oaxaqueño Restaurant to include local foods (included) Workshop Agenda, Open Discussion
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel VERONICA LAWLOR WORKSHOP: Exercises in Picture-Making Working with thumbnails and composition to capture the grandeur of this historic cultural center. One hour Oaxaca Historical Talk with Local Guide as we draw on location Lunch Break Afternoon: The Narrative Sequence Learn techniques to capture the people and stories of the plaza in your sketchbook. Dinner
Thursday, June 15, 2023 9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel VERONICA LAWLOR WORKSHOP: Expressive Line and Texture We will walk together to Jalatlaco, where we’ll spend the day exploring how to use expressive line, texture and color to capture this lively neighborhood full of colorful street art. Lunch Break Afternoon: Exploring Color Dinner
Friday, June 16, 2023 Meet after breakfast in Hotel 9am Van to Country Mercado, all day excursion VERONICA LAWLOR WORKSHOP: Reportage Series You’ll learn to use composition, texture, and color to capture the stories of this traditional Zapotec market; drawing people at work and play. Lunch in Mercado (included) Return to Hotel Late Afternoon Dinner
Saturday, June 17, 2023 9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel VERONICA LAWLOR WORKSHOP: Putting It All Together, Reportage of Oaxaca Cultural Events Using the tools you’ve learned to capture parades, feather dancers, and wedding celebrations on the plaza, bringing the experience home in your sketchbook. Plaza Santo Domingo Lunch Break Sketchbook Review Final Adios Dinner (included)
Sunday, June 18, 2023 Local Breakfast Check out and goodbyes - END
WORKSHOP COST: $1,300 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: $650 USD + $20 Transaction Fee = $670 Balance Due March 15, 2023, $650 USD + $20 Transaction Fee = $670 **See below for cancellation policy
PRICE INCLUDES: Veronica Lawlor 4-Day Mixed Media Reportage Workshop Welcome Traditional Oaxaqueña Dinner Cultural Talk with Local Guide Transportation and Lunch to Traditional Mercado (all day excursion) Last Night Oaxaqueña 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 Required Proof of Vaccination Required Trip Insurance: suggested providers (but please use your own if preferred): Allianz Travel Insurance Mexico Insurance Advisors
WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS WORKSHOP
The "Drawing Mexico" workshop series offer artists who've sketched on location an opportunity to develop their storytelling skills through drawing and mixed media from professional educators; all participants should have a drawing practice in place and a curiosity to develop their skill.
Level: Advanced Beginners; You've sketched on location
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 PROTOCOLS
Although Mexico never officially closed their borders throughout the Covid pandemic, much of the country followed strict safety protocols even as vaccinations became available. Foreigners living in Mexico also were able to get vaccinated, although not as easily as in the United States nor Canada, but none the less the vaccination program throughout Mexico has been successfully employed. The mask mandate officially ended in Mexico in 2022 although you will see many locals who continue to wear masks. The workshop is designed to be mostly outside and many of Oaxaca'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 me, 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
An 11” x 14” mixed media sketchbook – Canson makes a great one, but any sketchbook that can accept both wet and dry media will work.
A pen for black line: A fountain pen is preferred, as you will get a better variation in your line; Pilot Varsity makes disposable fountain pens that work well. (If you don't have a fountain pen, bring a few different disposable black line markers for variation of weight, such as a pilot razor point and fineliner pen along with something thicker.)
A portable brush pen or marker A small watercolor pan set, and a water brush (or watercolor brush and water jar)
A small selection of colored pencils, for colored line work. Prismacolors are recommended.
A few graphite or charcoal pencils, 3B or 4B
A pencil sharpener
A small box of pastels – NuPastel makes a box of 12 that would be perfect
Optional: a few colored markers, crayons or oil pastels, ink and dip pen
Good to have: a portable stool, a few paper towels Sun Hat + sturdy walking shoes Layers of clothes for chilly mornings, warm afternoons, slight possibility 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 workshop and not participate in the drawing activities
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SMALL PRINT, PLEASE READ
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 10 participants + Veronica + 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: $650 USD + $26 Transaction Fee = $826 Balance Due March 15, 2023, $800 USD + $26 Transaction Fee = $826
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 April 15, 2023.
3) If you need to cancel after April 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
The "Drawing Mexico" workshop series offer artists who've sketched on location an opportunity to develop their storytelling skills through drawing and mixed media from professional educators; all participants should have a drawing practice in place and a curiosity to develop their skill.
Level: Advanced Beginners; You've sketched on location
Register: Mixed Media Reportage Oaxaca June 2023 with Veronica Lawlor