LAF has teamed up with Liverpool Independent Art School (LIAS) to produce a series of exciting Urban Sketching Workshops open to all artists from beginners to seasoned pros.

The theme of this year’s festival is Neighbourhoods and our workshops will explore how the idea of ‘Neighbourhood’ can be explored by sketching on location.

We will look at what gives a neighbourhood its unique identity by looking at recognisable landmarks or the layers of old and new. We’ll seek out the places where people gather for conversation which could be anywhere from a bus stop to a café.

You will only need drawing paper, drawing media, (e.g pen, pencil). Instruction will be given and the workshop will go on regardless of the weather.

The workshop will be led by Paul Gatenby

Paul started studying art seriously as a mature student after fifteen years working in industry. During his student years he worked in community arts and adult education, then after his degree, I started teaching in Further Education. He left Further Education in 2014 and became a freelance artist. It was around this time that he set up Liverpool Urban Sketchers and, along with Toc, Liverpool Independent Art School.

Paul has always thought of art as a social pursuit - none of that ‘starving in a garret’ business for him! It’s about making connections; with the audience, with other artists and with the subject matter.

Urban Sketching led Paul on to painting cityscapes and he tends to be drawn to forgotten corners. Looking for the beauty or tragedy in a tumbledown old warehouse or abandoned pub. When Paul paints people he like the painting to look like them. There is no message, he just likes you to see what he saw.

© Image - Liverpool Independent Art School

Please meet 15 minutes before the workshop is due to start.

Please note the workshop route is not fixed, and is subject to change depending on weather and participant numbers. The end location may be different to the start location. The artist lead and LAF volunteers will be available to guide participants back to the starting location if needed.

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Access Information:

The workshop is all level access, and accessible. Please contact hello@laf-uk.com if you have any accessibility concerns or queries.

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Timings:

13:45 - Meet at the Church Square, outside St Helen's Parish Church

14:00 - Introduction by Paul Gatenby

14:00 - Workshop Starts

16:00 - Workshop Ends

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Location:

Start -

Church Square, outside St Helen's Parish Church

Church St,

Saint Helens,

WA10 1AF

End - Please note the workshop route is not fixed, and is subject to change depending on weather and participant numbers. The end location may be different to the start location. The photography lead and LAF volunteers will be available to guide participants back to the starting location if needed.

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Event Partners:

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Terms and Conditions

• Please check the weather and wear suitable footwear and clothing, when events are external.

• Please contact hello@laf-uk.com if you have any accessibility requirements, concerns or queries. Alternative routes will be provided to allow for full accessibility wherever possible.

• Participants with additional needs may bring carer

• Under 18s to be supervised and accompanied by an adult

• Tickets must be ordered in advance of all events and will not be available to book at the event.

• Please do not travel to, or attend, LAF events if you are unwell. If you can no longer attend an event due to illness, please return your ticker via Eventbrite, or inform us so we can reallocate your ticket.

• We will be photographing this event and the images may be used to publicise future LAF events.

• By accepting an invitation or purchasing a ticket you consent to being photographed, filmed or recorded as a visitor attending the event.

• On entry to the event you agree to accept and abide by any venue rules.

• The LAF reserves the right to refuse admission to any ticket holder.

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