Available for virtual visits in : British Columbia, Ontario & Quebec
Home Province: Nova Scotia
Craft: Illustrator
Genre: Picture Books
Target Audience: Kindergarten – Grade 7
Cost for School and Public Virtual Presentation with CCBC subsidy: $200.00, plus applicable taxes
Website : www.emmafitzgerald.ca
Virtual Presentation/Workshop Information:
Drawing and Read along with Emma FitzGerald – City Streets are for People
Workshop – Targeted age group 8-12 years old
Based on brand new picture book City Streets are For People, words by Andrea Curtis, illustrations by Emma FitzGerald, published by Groundwood Books in May 2022
Emma will bring a fresh approach to drawing and storytelling during this workshop, encouraging participants to forgo pencil and eraser and instead use pen in a loose and bold manner, using both observation and memory as tools, focusing on the means of transportation and sustainability.
Emma will first read segments of City Streets are for People and explain the process of gathering inspiration, sketching thumbnail drawings, communicating with her editor and finally completing the finished artwork.
The presentation will be followed by a drawing exercise using ‘blind contours’, not looking at a piece of paper but instead sketching a self-portrait via the screen view/another participant/possibly an object in the room using one continuous line*.
Participants will then quickly sketch a favourite/meaningful object for 1 minute, all with the aim of loosening up while heightening observation skills.
The next portion of the workshop will involve using memory and relates to the theme of transportation.
Participants will fold a piece of paper in 4 and quickly write down 4 modes of transportation they have used in the last month, one in each quadrant. They will then do a quick sketch of each. Finally they will pick one and write a paragraph of any stories/memories of that particular mode of transportation. This will encourage accessing stories not just through writing, but through drawings. Also, if there is time, the participants can draw their ideal mode of transport.
This can be tailored for a half an hour with just slightly less time for each segment.
*I have had great success leading this exercise online and in-person with students as young as 6 years old and serves as a wonderful ‘icebreaker’
List of Materials –
– at least 3 pieces of 8.5×11 paper, can be computer paper.
– a hard surface to draw on (either a table or clipboard or other hard surface)
– pen, preferably black fine liner. Uniball fineliner pen from Staples is a good choice. However, any pen will do
– preferred colouring materials; pencil crayons/watercolour paints/felts/whatever you have.
OPTION # 2 – Drawing and Read along with Emma FitzGerald- EveryBody’s Different on EveryBody Street
based on EveryBody’s Different on EveryBody Street, words by Sheree Fitch, illustrations by Emma FitzGerald, published by Nimbus Publishing.
Appropriate for ages 6-16. Can be made to be 45 minutes or 1 hour.
Description of the Program
Author/Illustrator Emma FitzGerald known for her loose, whimsical sketches of places and people, will read and share images from EveryBody’s Different on EveryBody Street.
There will be a chance to draw together, first learning basic warm up techniques using ‘blind contours’, not looking at a piece of paper but instead sketching a self portrait via the screen view/another participant/possibly an object in the room using one continuous line. Participants will then quickly sketch a favourite/meaningful object for 1 minute, all with the aim of loosening up while heightening observation skills. This is a great icebreaker and works well even online with young children.
Then we will dive into a drawing exercise that explores our feelings in a unique and accessible way. The exercise will hopefully spark conversation with family and friends about the range of feelings we can have in a day.
Emma will emphasize letting go of negative thoughts/the need for a drawing to be perfect, instead a philosophy of ‘just keep going and see what happens’. Both children and adults will enjoy this workshop should adults choose to participate too!
List of Materials –
– at least 3 pieces of 8.5×11 paper, can be computer paper.
– a hard surface to draw on (either a table or clipboard or other hard surface)
– pen, preferably black fine liner. Uniball fineliner pen from Staples is a good choice. However, any pen will do
– preferred colouring materials; pencil crayons/watercolour paints/felts/whatever you have.
Book List
EveryBody’s Different on EveryBody Street
A Pocket of Time: The Poetic Childhood of Elizabeth Bishop