SKETCHPAD 2016
Sketchpad is an exciting creative residential holiday aimed at young people aged 9-17 years and is organized by creative artist, Kevin Moore [Face2Face Educational Trust]. When young people get to 18 they can apply to come on team to help Kevin and Val run the holiday. Based in the lovely Chellington Centre in Bedfordshire, the venue is an ideal base for the relaxing, artistic, fun based residential.
The Centre overlooks the Harold Odell Country Park, so we are rather spoiled at the variety of birds on offer. This year we spotted House Martins, Swallows, a Kite, Buzzards, Wrens, Kestrels, a Pied Wagtail, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows and a Yellowhammer to name but some. Daily we see cattle grazing and if you get up early you can see rabbits and deer running in the fields. We always visit the Country Park and view from the Bird hide overlooking the lake where we see Mute Swans, Canada Geese, Grebes, Coots and Mallards. We also go to the local recreation park for some fun and games and the young people enjoy purchasing some confectionery on route back to our base on the hill.
Under Kevin’s creative tutorship, the group is encouraged to produce pieces of artwork using different media, including graphite, pencil, pen, conte, chalk pastels, watercolour pencils and wash, charcoal and coloured pencils. Work is produced on a daily basis and there is also an optional late night drawing session. Children and team are encouraged to work on the various artistic challenges including a souvenir tile or two using acrylic paint. The surrounding countryside provides natural inspiration as there are many things we can look at from landscape scenes, buildings, trees, cattle, country walls and even thistles!
Students working in the Ibbett Room, patiently concentrating on their artistic challenges.
Students working outside in glorious sunshine.
Acrylic tile painting, a greatly enjoyed activity over the past few years & makes a lovely souvenier too. These ones were produced by Kevin.
Inspirational scenes surround you…
Ray, running from the cows! 🙂 :0
This was early morning about 6.30am on Tuesday as the mist rose.
The outside recreation area in a nearby field gives the opportunity for some games, including team games, bowls, Blobtag, British Bulldog and cricket. The local park provides an obstacle course and a football pitch and a lovely walk through farmer’s fields.
There is always plenty of laughs at Sketchpad :), don’t mention the campfire spontaneous story! 😉
Charcoal challenge in 40 minutes, rugged wall encircling the Chellington Centre by Kevin
Junk modelling challenge, a good opening activity and the presentations were very enthralling to the multi-millionaire investors.
Inside we play a table football tournament, Kwik cricket, Spiderball and various other fun games. This year we added in a badminton singles tournament and volleyball and a dance off. Sometimes we incorporate games and art, for example when two students sat playing a couple of games of chess for our late night drawing challenge whilst the other students drew them in an hour.
Capturing chess players in a life drawing session who played a couple of games in one hour, graphite, Kevin
Evenings are exciting as the young people want an action packed programme. A campfire is fun to build and set fire for humorous stories, songs and the traditional toasting of marshmellows. This year the story caused great laughter and was spontaneously put together by all those sitting round the campfire! 🙂
Sunsets are at times spectacular, no sunset is the same as you will see with several featured in this article. I have learned from experience to always carry a camera.
Face2Face is a Christian Trust that provides educational holidays and projects for children and families. We share a Bible devotion to start each day and look at the beauty of God’s creation. If you are interested in booking in for the next residential holiday, please download the application form, print off and send to Kevin. Places are limited so it is advisable to book early to avoid disappointment. Further details can be requested, please email: kevinmoore758@btinternet.com
A couple of my favourite shots of the summer, you see it you take it!
SKETCHPAD GALLERY 2016
Below is some of the featured artwork produced from this summer, my thanks goes to all those young people and team who made Sketchpad 2016 such an enjoyable experience, I look forward to seeing many of you again next year.
Watercolour and watercolour pencils, 3 hours, Kevin
Celebrity portrait, pencils, HB-4B, several hours, Kevin
Conte, 40 minutes, tree, wall and graves, Kevin
Young people working on the creative challenges that include working in a variety of different medium during the week.
Had to capture the chirpy Wren! Coloured pencils, one hour, soft toy challenge, Kevin
Trust you enjoyed the artwork, thanks to all the young people and team for giving permission to display them.
Kevin Moore runs The Art Studio at the Charles Burrell Centre in Thetford, Kevin teaches all kinds of drawing and painting and runs courses suitable for children and adults keen to develop their artistic skills. If interested in booking in, please contact Kevin kevinmoore758@btinternet.com
