{"title":"Rita Sabler Upcoming Courses","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"sketchbook-evolution-a-drawing-watercolor-retreat-on-madeline-island","title":"Sketchbook Evolution: A Drawing \u0026 Watercolor Retreat on Madeline Island","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou asked for it - and we made it happen! After two years of rave reviews, our renowned sketching trio of Eduardo Bajzek, Rita Sabler, and Oliver Hoeller return to Madeline Island for the 2026 season with an all-new curriculum designed to expand, refine, and energize your sketchbook practice.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis immersive 5-day retreat weaves together three complementary foundations of great sketching:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCapturing lively people with \u003cstrong\u003eOliver\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlaying with whites and negative space with \u003cstrong\u003eEduardo\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSimplifying complex scenes with \u003cstrong\u003eRita\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEach instructor brings a distinct artistic lens, and together they offer a rich blend of demonstrations, guided exercises, and on-location sketching adventures around the island. Whether you’re strengthening core skills or exploring a new way of seeing, you’ll be supported, challenged, and inspired every step of the way.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThroughout the week, you’ll rotate among instructors at different island locations, with additional opportunities to learn together in group settings. Expect a dynamic mix of campus sessions, field sketching, camaraderie, and creative play.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA special highlight: mid-week you’ll enjoy an Open Studio Day\u003c\/strong\u003e, a flexible, self-directed session with instructors available for feedback, demos, and personal guidance. It’s the perfect moment to deepen your work, revisit earlier concepts, or explore new ideas sparked during the retreat.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy Friday, you’ll head out on a celebratory sketchcrawl and conclude with a warm, constructive group sharing session where each participant highlights a favorite piece from the week.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhether you're a seasoned sketcher or a watercolor enthusiast looking to broaden your artistic voice, this retreat offers an unforgettable blend of learning, exploration, and community - set against the one-of-a-kind backdrop of Madeline Island.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstructor: Oliver Hoeller - People FULL of Life!  \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoundational Concept\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e How to sketch people in a limited time for maximum impact\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApplication\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e Identify and sketch characteristic shapes and forms; garnish with detail\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTechniques:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003ePencil, fineliner, watercolor\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeople and their interactions tell the stories of the places we sketch. Unfortunately, because of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eits challenges, many artists avoid capturing people altogether.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn this workshop segment, we will tackle sketching people and unlock ways to infuse our captures with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elife and character - often THE missing ingredient.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou will learn how to quickly analyze your model and make the most of the observation time \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eyou have. Learn why a focus on shapes, boxes, beans, and wrap-arounds beats getting sucked \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003einto eyelashes and nostrils. Last but not least, join in the fun of exaggerating to communicate \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eyour opinion!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstructor: Eduardo Bajzek - Playing with and around the Whites\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoundational Concept\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eExploring creative approaches to working with the white of the paper in drawing and painting\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApplication\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlaying with the edges of the drawing, experimenting with negative space, and embracing the absence of color\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTechniques: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePencil drawing and watercolor painting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe instructor will introduce the 3 core concepts of the workshop, through visual references, detailed explanations and useful exercises:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eFraming games\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: a playful way to bring interest and variety to the edges or boundaries of the image\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eNegative spaces\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: learning to see and use negative space is crucial for every visual artist. Participants will explore ways to use it creatively\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePresence and absence of color: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecolor can be used to express focus and create visual dynamics within a scene. Its absence can also communicate in powerful ways!\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe instructor will provide reference images to inspire students and help them explore different approaches to these concepts. They will be invited to draw and paint small scenes, experimenting with framing, negative space, and the presence \/ absence of color.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstructor: Rita Sabler - Selecting and Simplifying: Drawing for Impact\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoundational Concept\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSimplify complex scenes by selecting key visual elements\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApplication\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat to choose and what to leave out. How to simplify complex shapes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTechniques:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eUse of thumbnails, simplified linear perspective, depth  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUrban sketching can be fun and rewarding—but also a bit daunting. Faced with overload of visual information, complicated perspective, and endless details, it’s easy to feel unsure about where to begin. This workshop is designed to help you\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e approach the scene with confidence\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e by learning how to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eselect what matters most\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003esimplify everything else\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe’ll focus on capturing urban scenes on the go, using quick, playful sketches that highlight \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003esense of depth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and bring in elements of visual storytelling. Through step-by-step demos and hands-on practice, you’ll learn how to create a sketch that truly captures the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003espirit of a place.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn this workshop, you’ll learn how to:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eSimplify complex scenes by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eselecting key visual elements\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eUse \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elinear perspective\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e to anchor your sketches\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eCreate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e quick thumbnails\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e to build confidence\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eCapture the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eenergy and atmosphere\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e of a location\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eMake fast, satisfying visual decisions—\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003edoing more with less\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy the end, you’ll have a toolkit of techniques for sketching anytime and anywhere–from a cafe, market, a busy street corner, or on a daily walk. \u003cstrong\u003eJoin us as we will be l\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eooking closely, discovering beauty in a scene, and finding joy in every moment.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWorkshop Schedule:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSunday Night: Welcome Reception at 6pm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMonday – Friday: 9am – 4pm\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*Subject to change*\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Madeline Island School of the Arts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45226974904460,"sku":"USMIERO083126","price":1295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0667\/8711\/5148\/files\/Oliver_Eduardo_Rita_all.jpg?v=1768947202"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.madelineartschool.com\/collections\/rita-sabler-upcoming-courses-11.oembed","provider":"Madeline Island School of the Arts","version":"1.0","type":"link"}