Our Next Demo Will Be:​​
Thursday, September 4, 2025
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Featuring Artist
Beverly Choltco-Devlin
"Urban Sketching"
About Beverly Choltco-Devlin
Beverly Choltco-Devlin has been sketching, drawing and painting her whole life. She retired in 2021 as a professional librarian and now devotes her time to art with a special emphasis on urban sketching, nature sketching and journaling and watercolor painting.
She joined Urban Sketchers Tacoma in 2014 after moving here from upstate New York in 2013, and is now co-administrator of the group. Her urban sketches are usually done in pencil, ink and watercolor.
She also loves birding, hiking, and gardening (and reading, of course!). She has conducted workshops on urban sketching, nature journaling and sketching and watercolors at the North Cascades Institute, Tahoma Bird Alliance, The City of Covington, Tacoma Public Libraries and a variety of art groups in the region, as well as Village Artists and Craftsmen, and MADArt, Inc. in Hamilton NY. She is also a certified Nature Journaling Educator through the Wild Wonder Foundation.
Description of Program
Urban Sketching was founded in 2007 by Seattle journalist and illustrator, Gabi Campanario, for all sketchers out there who love to draw the cities where they live and visit, from the windows of their homes, from a cafe, at a park, standing by a street corner...always on location, not from photos or memory." Now, an official non-profit organization, both here and internationally, is comprised of sketchers and artists, have organized to develop a practice, using a wide variety of mediums and expressions, to "show the world, one drawing at a time." Urban Sketchers-Tacoma is an official chapter and was chartered in 2014. There are no dues, just a desire to observe, document and express our environment around us. We have outings in the region 3 times a month and anyone is welcome to join us.
During this session, Beverly will introduce participants to the principles and practice of urban sketching, with a special emphasis on the fact that it is absolutely not necessary to be an accomplished draftsperson or trained in architectural drawing to participate. All mediums are valid in urban "sketching." The most important quality is an interest in the world around us and a desire to document that world "in situ."
She will bring her own travel sketching kits, work from local urban sketchers, teach a variety of approaches to an urban sketch and inform participants how to engage with local formal and informal urban sketching groups. Weather permitting, participants will go outside and sketch in the immediate vicinity of the church. Being a retired librarian, she will also bring examples of resources to learn more about urban sketching.
Materials List
(NOTE: this list is not exhaustive nor prescriptive, bring whatever you have or would like to work with as long as it is portable. Even a simple piece of paper and pencil work just fine!)
Beverly will also bring some sketching paper, pencil and a small clipboard if you'd just like to see what urban sketching is about.)
The KEY here is to have materials be PORTABLE.
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Paper or Sketchbook or medium of choice (i.e., small canvases, panels, etc.)
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Pencils (drawing, watercolor, pastel, charcoal, mechanical)
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Pens, (water-soluble, waterproof, fountain, ball point)
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Markers (water-soluble, waterproof)
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Crayons
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Watercolors (travel palettes are very helpful
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Pastels (portable, oil or dry)
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Acrylic or oils (though keep in mind the length of the actual working session for this demo)
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Collage materials (including adhering mediums)
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Brushes (if painting)
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Water container and water if using water-soluble materials
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Small lapboard, clipboard or easel with clamps
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Portable travel stool or a sit-upon
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Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
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Rain gear if needed
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Backpack or portable bag (depending on size of kit)
For this session bring snacks or a bag lunch.
Demo Location -
* For June Location - See Map Above *
The First Presbyterian Church of Puyallup
412 West Pioneer Puyallup, WA 98371
​We meet on the 1st Thursday of the Month!
Excluding July, August, December & January)
Facebook Group
Our Facebook group is a private group for South Hill Artist members. We should think about using it more to share items that may be of interest to our members. Things to share could be books, artists you have learned about, new project ideas, photos of what you are doing, new art tools or supplies that others might not know about, etc. Think of ways you can contribute to our Facebook group.
Handmade Greeting Cards
SHA is also collecting handmade greeting cards to send to members
who may be going through a difficult time or facing illness.
If you’re able, please consider bringing a few card donations for SHA to have on hand.
SHA Membership Information
Membership to South Hill Artists - SHA offers individuals numerous opportunities to create, learn and gather in a supportive and creative atmosphere. Throughout the year there are scheduled live demos, where one can paint and create alongside an experienced professional artist. Twice per year SHA holds a weeklong art camp workshop in Eatonville, at an affordable cost to its members. Membership also gives artists the opportunity to display and sell their artwork in SHA’s annual art exhibit. Members will receive an email newsletter, announcements, an invitation to join the private SHA Facebook group, and participate in various social events.
A paid SHA Membership entitles you to participate in all these activities, September through August. Payment of dues is required 30 days prior to participation in art exhibits and shows. SHA members are encouraged to volunteer and support SHA activities, events, and chartered objectives.
Membership dues are $50.00 for the 2024-2025 SHA year. When joining SHA, please download and fill in the SHA Membership Form. Send the completed form with your check to the address below.
Membership dues can also be paid at the monthly demo meeting. Also, please update your contact information when joining or renewing your SHA membership.
Guests are welcome to attend and participate in an art demonstration for a $30.00 fee. Invite a friend to join us!
Please send your payment to:​
SHA
PO Box 731762
Puyallup, WA 98373-0019
Please Note:
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need to be received by the 1st day of the month - to be included that month.
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