A little film... of me sketching

July 1, 2014 | 23 Comments


Liz Steel: a Sketchbook Film from Sketchbook Skool on Vimeo.

Well I am totally stoked to be able to share this film with you (I don’t normally use the word ‘stoked’ but I know you must be get tired of me using the phrase “I am so excited”)

Danny Gregory has put together this extra film to share with everyone …showing my two demos that I have prepared for my classes in  “Seeing” at Sketchbook Skool-

It was a super fun day working with an awesome cinematographer Pavel Trotsenko and his crew on the most sparkling of autumn mornings in Sydney.

This film is a good summary of a lot of things about me…
– my obsession with teacups and drinking a lot of tea
– my drawing a lot of teacups
– always filling sketchbook after sketchbook with sketches from my life
– my love watercolour and using my lamy pen
– having way too many art supplies and books in my studio
– always happy to get out sketching
– always sketching whenever I can (even on a ferry!)
– my love Sydney and the harbour
– always sketching architecture
– and always try to fit in a tearoom visit somehow!

During my week on Sketchbook Skool you will also be getting the run down on
– why I draw so many cups of tea and how it relates (if at all) to sketching architecture
– how my background as an architect has had a huge impact on the way that I sketch
– how I see “slowly” like an architect and how this helps me sketch fast and spontaneously (disclaimer: the more I sketch the more this ‘slow’ seeing is speeding up!)
– and also I will give you a tour of my sketchbook collection and how my work has evolved over the last 7.5 years since I first picked up a paintbrush and started my first moleskine.

I am just so excited (oops! that phrase slipped in!) to given this opportunity to share with you in this way some more of the way I work – and what an incredible experience to work with such an amazing film crew.

But… you know the most special part about it is that I am just one week of a six week term – 
I am part of a mind-blowing team!!!!

It such an enormous honour and thrill to be teaching alongside Danny, Koojse, Brenda, Kate and Andrea. All 5 are amazing artists and great friends who have inspired, encouraged me in some many ways over the years.

I can’t wait – see you in week 6 and hanging out learning together for the whole term!

23 Comments

  • Liz Steel says:

    thanks Leah – me too!!!

  • Liz Steel says:

    I cant wait either. Will be posting more about my books later…

  • Liz Steel says:

    thank you!!! getting comments like yours makes my day!

  • Liz Steel says:

    well I often wish I have MORE teacups… (just for the variety of subject matter – I think I need to visit my friends collections) My studio is still a work in progress but is really working well for me. Looking forward to seeing you in class!

  • Liz Steel says:

    thanks Claire – looking forward to it too!!!!!

  • Liz Steel says:

    ha ha- awesome isn't a word I normally use either Caroline. THanks!
    Yes that tin is fairly special… need to sketch it!

  • Liz Steel says:

    ya Sandra – I can't wait to see your collection through your sketches

  • Liz Steel says:

    thanks Shari – I think it is very exciting to see my pen and brush in amazing macro video… in some way it expresses the joy I get when sketching

  • Liz Steel says:

    wish you could be there too… but it will be repeated and will be a smaller group the next time around!

  • M.J. says:

    I have teacup and studio envy 🙂 Can't wait for the klass!

  • leah says:

    Can't wait for your klass to start. So looking forward to it!

  • SusanA says:

    What a fun video! I love your mini teapot and cozy. Oh, and all that studio organization! Sigh. I wish I could see the titles of all the art books on your shelves. I'm fairly new to sketching and watercolor, and I'd love to know your favorites. I probably collect books like you do teacups. Can't wait for klass!

  • Caroline says:

    Well, I never use the word awesome, but…this is so awesome! Thank you so much for posting it. And I just love that tea tin.

  • sandra de says:

    Looking forward to your class….. will have to get the tea cups out in preparation.

  • What a great video. It's wonderful to see you work closeup. You will be amazing in Sketchbook Skool and you should be excited! Or stoked! Congrats…

  • I am so excited for you, Liz, and all you teachers. I am also excited for the students and wish I could be one of them. Maybe next time (and hopefully Sketchbook Skool will be repeated)! Love the video!

  • Claire M says:

    Delightful! I'm looking forward to your class, getting to know more about you and your techniques!

  • katooshie says:

    Liz, that was just so lovely and charming! Thank you so much for sharing your video of you sketching. You made my day! 🙂 Katooshie

  • Liz Steel says:

    well I don't have any children but I sure have a lot of dishes (especially tea cups) to wash every day!!!! And certainly not everyday in my life is like this one (thankfully!- the film shoot day was one of the biggest and most draining of my life seriously!) Yes…it is all about making decisions and doing what you can when you can.

  • Liz Steel says:

    Thank you Jumie!!! It is so special to hear from so many people this week… and to inspire others is very inspiring for me. Thanks for following my blog!

  • You know what I find most amazing about the video and about the entire history of sketching? You need to be a person with a light heart and have to abandon perfectionism to do it. Without any desire to make a criticism of you (especially because I love your work) I feel bad in saying that the first thing I thought when seeing the video was "such a person does not have children to care for, dishs to do or a house to care for "- and I know this is not true, because everyone has a lot to do today … Just some of them manage to find time for what is really important, and do something about it instead of inventing rationalizations for not doing so — like I do most of the time. Thanks for keep the good work, it's lovely!

  • Jumie says:

    Its a wonderful video and its nice to see you and your work.
    You inspire me often.
    Greetings from Germany from jumie

  • Dave says:

    You make it look so effortless Liz. It's such beautiful work and something for me to aspire too. I think I will pour a cup and do some sketching. Thanks!

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