Drawing at Summer Festivals and Markets
Let serendipity guide you this summer
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With summer officially starting in the northern hemisphere on Sunday we are in the season of festivals, markets and parades. In the Pacific Northwest, you could probably go to a festival, market or happening almost every weekend until Labor Day if you wanted to. These can range from the small, like local farmers’ markets, to the massive, like the Oregon Country Fair or Bumbershoot. Along with provide opportunities to celebrate an area or culture you appreciate, these festivals are also great places to find fascinating views for drawing.
Take Your Time and Explore
Markets, parades and festivals are intentionally filled with interesting sights and experiences. When you want to go out and see something new, these events are great places. Don’t get caught in the first thing you see though. Take your time to wander and see what and who is present in the space. Sometimes the most interesting view or experiences is tucked off the standard path. And if you worry about missing something a snapshot sketchbook is great for quickly capturing sights as you walk around.
Look for a Scene that Resonates
As you walk around the market bring awareness to what excites you. What brings a smile to your face? Ignites a fond memory? Causes you to stop and say ‘wow’? Drawing what activates fun, happiness and passion for us is way easier than a mundane scene. Recording these feelings, memories and other sensations is a great way to bring awareness to them and can enhance a quick sketch in a snapshot sketchbook. For the more technically minded, you could write down how excited you are to draw a scene on a 1 (not interested) to 10 (draw now!) scale if recording feelings is not your thing.
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Find a Place to Draw From
When you find that scene that really jumps out at you, it is time to settling in for a longer drawing. At this point it is worth considering some more practical considerations like where you can sit without being in the way of traffic. Sitting in the middle of a path will probably not make you many friends. Likewise, it is good to consider your own comfort. I overheat and burn easily, so I usually need to find a shady spot or one that is close to shade.
Settle in For a While
Settling in to draw for an extended period at a market or festival allows you to produce a more detailed drawing and also allows you to observe the space. People watching is great feature of events and settling in lets you begin to see the unique and similar ways people move through the grounds. As you draw, you can add in regular passing features, like the height of an object compared to people’s heads, and unique features that come into the scene, like an unusual dog breed or hat. Finally, settling in allows you to begin hearing the sights, sounds and smells of the event and potentially meeting people interested in what you are doing like vendors or passersby.
What event are you excited to attend this summer?Flaneur Corner
CAW Meetup
June 26, 2026, 5pm-7pm
Corvallis Foundry (257 SW Madison Ave, Suite 210) (stairs and elevator next to Precision Martial Arts)
Come meet the amazing artists and craftspeople on the Corvallis Arts Walk (CAW) all in one place. Find your next creative partnership and connect with the amazing work of local artists and craftspeople.
Summer 2026 On Site Drawing Workshop
July 2026 – October 2026
$15 per session
In the Corvallis area and want to jump start or refresh your onsite drawing practice? I’m planning an onsite drawing workshop series this summer starting in July and running through October. We will meet up around the Corvallis area for an hour-long lesson every two weeks with an email series introducing techniques and tools prior to the class. Let me know if you would like to receive updates on the class and I will add you to the class email list.
Pacific Northwest Festival Ideas
If you are looking for festival ideas here are a couple of suggestions in the Pacific Northwest:
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