Member Event
Gesture and Contour Drawing with Jen Burgess
Gesture and Contour Drawing with Jen Burgess
Jen will review and demonstrate two enjoyable and essential drawing exercises: gesture sketching and contour drawing. These exercises are beneficial for everyone, from casually curious beginners to advanced professionals. Remarkably, they will enhance your observational drawing accuracy while reducing perfectionism!
Both exercises are quick studies that promote mindfulness and encourage a loose, playful approach, regardless of the subject matter. We will discuss how to incorporate these techniques into your ongoing art practice, and you’ll have hands-on time to practice them—so please have a pen and paper ready, as you’ll be invited to participate!
Additionally, Jen will demonstrate how gesture and contour drawing can be combined in the early stages of a more refined drawing or painting. She will also show how these techniques can work alongside other methods, such as adding shading and colour. You’ll leave feeling inspired to sketch regularly, anywhere and everywhere!
Materials
Caran d'Ache 888 Infinite Ballpoint Pen
Pentel RSVP Ballpoint Pen: Black
Winsor & Newton Fineliner Pens - Black
Faber-Castell Polychromos Coloured Pencils
Opus Artist Mixed Media Sketchbooks
Art Toolkit Pocket Palette and Art Toolkit Pocket Palette Pack of Ten Mini Pans
Opus Virtual Demo Common Q&A - Click HERE
This event is for Opus Members — thank you for being part of the creative community!
Hosted by Opus Art Supplies & our Experience leader
Jen Burgess is an interdisciplinary artist based in Victoria, BC, with formal training in scientific illustration. Jen is most passionate about connecting nature with the creative process & art-making as an important part of maintaining mental health, wellness, and resilience through life's ups and downs. Always inspired by the nature of the West Coast and our city of gardens, she is well-versed in depicting nature through drawing, watercolour, gouache, digital, and acrylics, and in the last two years, she has taken up cyanotype and oils. Jen has been part of Victoria's arts scene since 2018, where she taught for the Bateman Foundation until 2021 and worked at Opus from 2022 to 2025. She currently teaches art both in-person and online.Website: www.isolinestudios.ca
Instagram: @isolinestudios
Facebook: @isolinestudios
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Opus Member Events
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to register in advance?
Yes—most events require registration to reserve your spot. Free demos with limited space can fill up quickly, so we recommend signing up early.
What’s included in a paid vs free event?
Paid events may include hands-on instruction, materials, and exclusive product offers. The details will be listed on the event page.
Free events may include a short, informative session led by an artist—perfect for picking up techniques, learning about materials, and sparking inspiration. You’re welcome to paint along, but it’s not required.
Will I get a recording if I miss an online event?
No. These demos are live-only. If recorded, the footage is gifted to the artist and not shared publicly.
Can I attend an online event if I don’t live in BC?
Yes! Our online events are open to artists across Canada and beyond.
Where are events held?
We host events both in-store at select Opus locations and online via Zoom or other platforms. The location and format will always be clearly stated.
I registered but didn’t receive a confirmation email. What should I do?
Check your junk or spam folders first. If you’re still unsure, email Pamela Mark at pmark@opusartsupplies.com to confirm your registration.
What’s the difference between free and paid events?
Free events are short, demo-based sessions led by professional artists—great for inspiration and learning.
Paid events offer deeper, hands-on instruction with more time, materials, or exclusive access. They’re ideal for artists looking to grow their skills.
Some paid events are free or discounted for Artist and Creative Tier Members.
Is it okay to ask questions during the demo?
Absolutely. Use the community chat to ask demo-related questions. Our host will relay them to the artist as time allows.
When will I be let in from the Zoom waiting room?
We open the room right at the start time. Arrive a couple of minutes early to avoid delays.
How can I apply to be a demo artist?
We love connecting with artists who teach and inspire. Apply here to share your skills in an upcoming demo.