In this bonus lesson, artist Sheldon Borenstein invites you into his studio for a sketchbook tour and assignment critique. With his signature humor and practical advice, Sheldon demonstrates his methods for sketching portraits while reinforcing the importance of sketchbooking as a lifestyle practice. By the end of this lesson, you will be inspired to put pencil and brush to paper wherever you are.

This lesson belongs to the course Sketchbooking From Life. In this 6-week course, artist Catherine Bobkoski guides you through the essential practice of sketchbooking from life, using watercolor, pencil, and pen. Each week, you’ll engage in practical sketching exercises and techniques, exploring line work, value scales, color mixing, and composition through still-lifes, flowers, landscapes, and portraits. Catherine’s lessons emphasize observation, experimentation, and simplification, helping you refine fundamental drawing and painting skills while confidently capturing the essence of your subject. The course also includes an archive of student assignment critiques, offering valuable insights into applied sketchbooking. By the end of the course, you’ll have the tools and confidence to transform your sketchbook into a space for artistic growth and personal expression.

Throughout this course, you’ll have access to the NMA community for feedback and critiques to improve your work as you progress.