It's Drawing Near... An ISCAcon Primer

IT’S DRAWING NEAR... It’s that time again to start getting ready for the annual ISCA convention. For those who have never been to one of the conventions, the following are a few things you should know about what to bring and what to expect.

Article Transcript

WHAT TO BRING
Drawing board or small easel. Tables and chairs will be provided by the hotel. But if you are more comfortable working on an upright surface, you will need to bring your own support. A rigid drawing board is good because you can move around the ballroom more easily to draw others as well as use during the speed and likeness competitions, which are usually done in a separate, smaller room.

Art supplies. This is pretty obvious. But maybe bring a few varieties of supplies to draw, paint and sculpt with. You should bring some materials you are already comfortable with. But you could also use this convention as an opportunity to explore new media. Keep in mind there will also be a well-stocked art store set up in the ballroom during the week, where you can purchase supplies (Asel’s Art Supply of San Antonio-see the in this issue for their contact info.). Popular materials that people work with are markers, pastels, colored pencils, acrylic paints, digital paint, airbrush, watercolors, cut paper and sculpting clays that either air-harden or oven-harden. There may be a small toaster oven on site, if other sculptors bring one. Inquire on the ISCA Forum about that.

Paper sizes. The following are the various paper sizes and restrictions for the various competitions:
General Competition: No larger than 18 x 24 inches (45 x 60 cm). You will have a wall space that is roughly 2 feet wide by 8 feet tall (60cm x 240 cm).
Likeness Competition: No larger than 14 x 18 inches (35 x 45 cm) white paper only with black drawing tool. No colors allowed.
Speed Competition: Paper no smaller than 5½ x 8 inches (14 x 20 cm), and bring lots of it if you plan to compete! (8.5 x 11 inches recommended)
Studio Caricature Competition: No larger than 14 x 18 inches (35 x 45 cm). Only one submission per competing artist. No matting or frames. Do not submit original artwork for this category; prints or copies only. The only exception will be for 3-D submissions.
Portfolio Competition: No larger than 16 x 22 inches (40 x 55 cm).
Additional materials. Here are a few extra items you may not have thought to bring but may be helpful: Extension cord and power strip since there are never enough outlets for our devices. Small clip light to illuminate your workspace or models. Layered clothing, because temperatures in the ballroom can vary from too warm or too cold throughout the day. Camera or tablet/laptop computers in case you want to do digital artwork or take photographic reference of your models. It’s best to draw from life, but if you prefer to spend several hours on one piece, a camera is a necessity, because not many people would want to sit for you very long when they have their own work to do. Also, you may want to bring blue painter’s tape in order to attach your artwork to your wall space. ISCA will provide several rolls to use, but you may want to bring your own. The only method of attaching artwork is blue removable painter’s tape. No other kind of tape is allowed. And definitely no push pins or tacks.

WHAT TO EXPECT
The first day of the convention, Sunday Nov. 11, is registration, where you pick up your badges and goodie bags. The icebreaker reception is that evening. There will be a cash bar and light food served from a free buffet. This is the time to socialize and meet your fellow artists. Feel free to bring a sketchbook, as people usually end up drawing each other during the opening-night reception. But do not bring easels to the reception. You may not set up your equipment until the next day.

On Monday, Nov. 12, ISCA will provide breakfast in the morning, where board members will make important announcements that you won’t want to miss. Immediately following breakfast, Chris Galvin will offer an orientation workshop for first-time attendees. If this is your first convention, you should definitely go to that. After a few more seminars, the main ballroom will open up to the artists at 2:30 p.m. Artists are not allowed in the ballroom before that time, so there is usually a rush to find a spot to set up the moment the doors open. But you shouldn’t worry. Every spot is good, and there will be enough tables and chairs for everyone who wants them.

At that point, the general competition has begun and you are free to begin drawing your colleagues. The ballroom will be open and available 24 hours a day for the rest of the week, but there will be a few different organized and timed competitions, like the speed and likeness competitions in the evenings.

Various workshops and seminars will be offered each day by fellow ISCA members as well as John Kascht, our guest of honor. The general competition ends at 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, at which point, no new works may placed on your wall gallery space. Beginning at 4 p.m., you will have to quickly move your easels and supplies away from the walls Then the board will take time check the artwork. Starting at 5 pm everyone will be given a ballot with multiple categories, and three hours will be allotted for voting.

Friday evening will be the final banquet and awards ceremony. Members are encouraged to dress formally or semi-formally. After eating, the various awards are given, based on the artwork you create during the week. There are many categories to cover the wide range of styles from realistic to cartoony and even abstract caricatures. The final top awards are the Bronze, Silver and Golden Nosey. Prepare your speeches ahead of time!

If you are coming from overseas and flying in the U.S., remember that there are many restrictions as to what you may bring on an airplane, both as a carry-on and in your checked luggage. You are never allowed to bring any volatile chemicals or solvents in ANY piece of luggage you bring on a plane. But if you want to bring art supplies like tubes of paint or sharp knives or tools like screwdrivers, be sure to pack them into your checked luggage. You will not be allowed to bring those items in your carry-on luggage. If you are in doubt about what you can bring, be sure to read the guidelines on your airline’s website. Remember that you will be able to buy just about any kind of art supply from the art store set up in the ballroom. If it is a special item, you may be able to contact them before the convention and make a special request. The annual ISCA conventions are always a worthwhile experience. You will meet people that will end up being your friends for years to come. You will gain valuable networking resources and artistic insights. You may be coming to just draw and have a relaxing time, to meet some of your favorite artists in person, or you may be coming with the intent to seriously compete. You will get out of it whatever you put in. Don’t stress out too much about it, though. Make a supply checklist for yourself and don’t wait to pack until the night before your flight and you will be alright.

Court Jones has been a member of ISCA since 2000 and was the winner of the 2005 Golden Nosey. At the 2011 convention, he was named Master Caricaturist of the Year. Currently, he works as a freelance illustrator specializing in caricature and regularly teaches courses in facial anatomy, oil painting, digital illustration and caricature at the Watts Atelier of the Arts in San Diego. www.courtjones.com

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