Tom initially scheduled an Ottawa workshop for July 21 and it immediately filled up. There was SO much demand for his workshop that Tom graciously added an extra one on July 20!! That tells you it's going to be great! Oh, and the fact that someone came all the way from L.A. to Ottawa to take Tom's workshop - you know its going to be great!
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| This was the ad for the first workshop offered by Captain Tom - demand was so great, he added another on July 20, 2019! |
Who is Captain Tom?
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| Captain Tom demonstrating in the afternoon portion of the workshop |
Tomas Pajdlhauser (aka Captain Tom) is an artist and Creative Director based in Ottawa, Canada and co-owner of Birling, a local skateboard brand and shop.
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| Captain Tom (Tomas Pajdlhauser) inside his Somerset St. West shop "Birling" featuring Tom's skateboard merchandise |
Tom sketches and hosts many workshops http://captaintom.studio/workshops-1/ , which also include animation and storytelling workshops with youth, and he has traveled extensively around the world and shares his incredible sketches online. Visit the links below to see his sketches from:
- Colorado and Utah
- LA to Vegas
- Iqaluit
- Newfoundland
- India
- Istanbul
- Eastern Europe
- Vietnam
- South East Asia
The Workshop
The workshop was divided into two parts: "Effective Sketching" in the morning followed by "Expressive Sketching" in the afternoon and featured comprehensive demonstrations by Tom as well as ample time for the participants to practice as well.
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| Captain Tom (Tomas Pajdlhauser) demonstrating his approach to inking |
Anyone wanting to do "Expressive Urban Sketching" Tom believes, should first learn "Effective Urban Sketching" and that was the focus of the morning.
Tom believes that if you "mess up perspective ... proportions ... it tells your audience that you really don't understand what you are drawing". In order to be "effective", you must fully understand these fundamentals first before "warping and exaggerating".
Using a Lyon Street urban scene, Tom demonstrated how to identify your horizon line; identify perspective, rough in proportions and sketch in details (working from big to small). This is "what happens in my head for about five to ten minutes before I even start sketching", said Tom
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| Tom demonstrated his approach to "Effective Urban Sketching" in the morning which he does in his head (not on paper) when sketching |
Tom encouraged everyone to continue practicing perspective every day (by drawing a car, a couch, etc) and he highly recommended the book "Perspective Made Easy" by Ernest Norling and said its the only book you'll ever need. (Available online at http://www.storytellerartist.
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| "Perspective Made Easy" by Ernest Norling |
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| Tom demonstrated how to locate the horizon line and how to use sighting for proportions and angles. |
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| Tom demonstrates how to add details to your sketch that are in proper perspective and proportion. |
The Afternoon Session
In the afternoon, Tom demonstrated his approach to creating his signature expressive urban sketches.
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| Tom demonstrating his process for inking in the scene |
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| Tom began to ink in the scene. |
Working left to right, Tom inked the entire scene with incredible skill and detail while offering the participants many, many hints along the way such as what to add, what to delete and various cinematic tricks to lead the eye. With respect to Tom's trademark ink and paint splats and pencil lines he said, "This is my meditation .... I love seeing other artist's pencil lines and mistakes ... other artist's humanity. "
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| Tom's sketchbook |
Tom said, "Centretown is defined by it's red brick buildings, yellow ochre traffic lights, sap green trees, as well as hydro lines, satellite dishes...." etc. and Tom wants it all in his sketch. It's what he loves about his city!
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| Tom demonstrated his approach to "Expressive Urban Sketching" in the afternoon |
Thanks Tom!
Everyone reported that they had been challenged and were walking away having learned so much. There were hints of possible future workshops that Tom has been thinking about. That was great news indeed!
On behalf of everyone in Ottawa (and from L.A.) who were fortunate enough to attend - thanks so much Captain Tom! We can't wait for your next workshop!
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| Some of the artists at the July 21, 2019 workshop in Dundonald Park. Ottawa |
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| Tom's sketch from the July 20, 2019 demo |
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| Tom's easel: A camera tripod fitted with hardware on a board and a tray |
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| Tom explaining pointing to his sketchbook with the workshop scene on Lyon St. in the background |
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