Sketch by Sketch: Connecting with the World Through Drawing

With Emma FitzGerald

May 7 - 12, 2027

Learn to sketch without fear of making mistakes!

Join celebrated author/illustrator, Emma FitzGerald as she leads participants through a series of exercises that build confidence and improves observation skills, while allowing for the happy accidents that make a drawing that speaks from the heart. Using pen and watercolour paint, and working both together and independently the goal is for students to leave feeling inspired to continue building their sketching practice.

What You’ll Experience

Outdoor sketching
Sharing and discussion with other participants
Insight into Emma’s professional processes
Feedback on work

What You’ll Learn

Draw quickly and with confidence using pen
Improve observation skills
Use colour in a playful manner to help your drawings tell a story

Participants will use pen and watercolour, not digital colour as used in this image. All experience levels welcome – including beginners.

Who This Program is For

For experienced and beginner sketchers

Testimonials

“Emma has a wonderful and easy approach, and her genuine enthusiasm creates the perfect atmosphere for creatives of all stripes. With my sketchbook fuller and my confidence boosted, I was so thankful to have had the opportunity to learn from such a talented artist.” — Michelle Gourley-Giles

Daily Schedule

A detailed schedule will be emailed to you about 30 days prior to your program. Click here to view a sample program schedule.

About the Presenter

Emma FitzGerald

Emma FitzGerald was born to Irish parents in Lesotho, a small mountainous country in Southern African, and did most of her growing up in Vancouver, BC. She trained as an artist at the University of British Columbia, and received her Masters in Architecture at Dalhousie University in Halifax. She has taught sketching at Urban Sketching Symposiums around the world, and has taught drawing to both children and adults across Canada. She is the author illustrator of the bestselling book, “Hand Drawn Halifax”, which has been followed by "Hand Drawn Vancouver" and "Hand Drawn Victoria". She has also illustrated many children’s books, including the award winning “EveryBody’s Different on EveryBody Street” (words by Sheree Fitch) and most recently “The Man in Motion: How Rick Hansen's World Tour Broke Down Barriers for People with Disabilities” (words by Lorna Schultz Nicholson). She lives, draws and writes in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, first named E’se’katik (AY-SAY-kateek) or “place of Clams” by the Mi’kmaw people.

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Date & Time Details

Program begins: May 7, 2027 6:30pm
Program ends: May 12, 2027 1:30pm
View a sample program schedule.

Package Pricing

Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive pricing. Learn more about our accommodation types.

Scholarships

Scholarships are currently unavailable for 2027 Early Release programs. Please visit our scholarship page for more information.

Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel more than 30 days before the start of the program, you'll be refunded the balance minus the 20% non-refundable deposit. No refunds or credits within 30 days of arrival. Please see Full Terms and Conditions for more information.