Artists of all ages are invited to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute on Saturday to learn the art of sketching from Alberto Rey, some of whose paintings are currently on display at the center.
In the workshop, scheduled to be held from 1 to 4 p.m., artists of all skill levels will have the rare opportunity to look at Roger Tory Peterson's sketchbooks. At the same time, they will receive instructions from Rey's guiding hand and inspiration from the scenic grounds of the RTPI.
''Some of our sketchbooks that we have in our collection that Roger Tory Peterson created are usually not on display, so it will be really great for them to get a chance to see some of that,'' said Jane Johnson, RTPI marketing and programs coordinator. ''They are going to study Roger's style, and a staff member will probably be on hand to answer questions about that as well.''
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A young Roger Tory Peterson sketches outdoors. Participants in a workshop at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute on Saturday will receive a similar opportunity on the center’s grounds.
Submitted photo
The Cuban-born Rey, a member of the faculty at the State University at Fredonia, paints forests, animals and landscapes. Using oils both dense and thin as well as watercolors, his exhibit at the RTPI falls into his series of ''Biological Realism'' that he hopes to share with participants in Saturday's workshop.
Those who attend will be provided with a sketchbook and, weather-permitting, be taken on a tour of the Institute along with Rey to look at flora and fauna and work on sketches and notes outdoors. They will then be encouraged to bring items from the tour back to the center to continue their work inside, Ms. Johnson said.
''We do workshops here sometimes in nature journaling, so my take on it is that it will be similar to that,'' she said. ''They'll just kind of be studying the outdoors, like Roger used to do, and also as Alberto has done in many different destinations around the world.''
Rey will be helping each participant toward a final work during the three-hour workshop, Ms. Johnson said - providing each who attends with a great opportunity to see a piece of art from start to finish.
''Because of being able to learn about Roger's work and how he created his pieces, and now working with this distinguished professor, I think it's going to be a really interesting workshop,'' Ms. Johnson said.
While the RTPI has worked with Rey in the past, Ms. Johnson said, this current exhibit - on display through May 9 - is the first time his work has been shown there since 2002. Being able to see nearly 20 of the artist's original works on display while he is helping them with their own art will be a special treat, Ms. Johnson said.
''The participants can study those and learn a little about his style, his background and some of his current work from his studio,'' she said.
Registration in the sketch development workshop ''Roger Tory Peterson, Alberto Rey and You'' at the RTPI on Saturday is $25. For more information, contact the RTPI by calling 665-2473 or visit www.rtpi.org and click on the ''Events & Exhibits'' tab.