Demo for #uskoslo10yrs2027

 

I am excited to do a gouache demo in Oslo in May 2027!

The event will offer 350 Sketch Passes and 21 Workshops with in total 357 WS spots! One Demo is included in the ticket «Sketch Pass». You choose one Demo from our list of Demo presenters. You add workshops of your choice as they are all bought separately. Tickets go on sale September 5, 2026 at 12:00 CET. Come join us in Oslo May 28-30, 2027!

https://event.checkin.no/225082/usk-oslo-10-yrs-2027

On the Spot

Gabi Campanario, the founder of Urban Sketchers, has started his own publishing company called Sketcher Press which includes a wonderful storytelling magazine called On the Spot.

I pitched a story last year about my and Cincinnati's toy history and this article is the result.

The Bionic Hair Salon I played with as a kid. Turns out that having well-styled hair is as important as taking care of one's bionic components. I did the illustrations in marker in honor of all the marker renderings I did as a coop student at Kenner.

This ashtray illustration makes me laugh. When I first started dating Troy, I remember he and many other employees using the Easy Bake Oven pans as ashtrays.

It is a great trip down memory lane in some ways, and a sad loss of a Cincinnati institution in others. It was so interesting to research the story and write it. Gabi is a good editor.

Animals in Gouache Workshop

 It has been INCREDIBLY busy. I have been in another deadline vortex but I am squeezing this in.

As usual, Patrons can join online free, $10 for anyone else. DM me. I have 4 spots open if you want to paint in my Cincinnati studio.❤✍️

May 23rd at 11AM EST!

What animal should I draw?

www.patreon.com/christinawald

Next Online Workshop: Composition in Urban Sketches

 

Next online workshop!

Composition in Urban Sketches. We will talk about laying out an adventure on a spread with text.
If you are a paying Patron, it is part of your membership.

It is $10 if you want to join and are not a Patron. I will send the handout and zoom link Friday.

Email me for the class or

Join my Patreon for unlimited access!

https://www.patreon.com/c/christinawald/

If you are local, I will let 6 people attend IRL at my house!

Solo Show at Eva G. Farris Gallery: WHERE SKETCHBOOKS MEET STORYBOOKS

 

Join me Thursday for the Gallery talk! 

The show is a mix of sketches and final art from 9 books. Most are paintings with a few giclees sprinkled in.

Image from Black Beauty

Me at the Gallery Door

Screen outside the gallery

The gallery after an 8 hour install!

Gallery Opening

Gallery Talk

Sketch Sicily with me!

 

I will be taking a group of sketchers and adventure lovers to Sicily in Spring 2027!

I loved working with Lisa in Tuscany and was stunned by how beautiful Sicily was. The Flower festival as so wonderful. It is a perfect place for a road trip.

Siracusa is possibly one of my favorite places to sketch last year and I look forward to sketching Taormina.

There is a link below to get all the details and pay your deposit. 

I hope you can join me!

This is the itinerary so far:

Day 1 Catania Pick Up

Day 2 Messina 

Day 3 Taormina Day 

Day 4 Etna Day 

Day 5 Winery Tour Day 

Day 6 Head to Siracusa  

Day 7 Siracusa 

Day 8 Noto Flower Fest 

Day 9 Modica and Ragusa 

Day 10 Agrigento 

Day 11 Early Departure for Catania

Get more info and register here. 

Sketching Here & Everywhere

 

My book about sketching cam out in 2023. I am so happy about how it turned out and how it continues to sell.

Recently, it was added to Sketcher Press' bookstore!

Inside images:

Of course, you can also get it at Snapdragon Books and from my Website!

I am currently working on my next Travelogue, so stay tuned!

Happy New Year!

 

What a year!

Lots planned already for 2026. Stay tuned!

Story Art Show at Art Academy of Cincinnati

 

I am so excited to be a part of this show!

Works by Regional Book Illustrators

November 14—December 12, 2025

Pearlman and McClure Galleries

Public Reception: Friday, November 14, 2025, 5—8pm

The Art Academy of Cincinnati is pleased to present Story Art, a group exhibition featuring picture book illustrators from Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.

About the exhibition: This exhibition celebrates the breadth and variety of talented book illustrators in our region, featuring illustrations made with traditional painting, digitally produced art, photography, and sculptures, as well as a display of the printed books that the illustrations are from. There will also be examples of process material, such as sketches, studies and storyboards.

Every year, Cincinnati hosts the Books by the Banks festival, bringing hundreds of accomplished regional and national authors and illustrators to the Main branch of the Cincinnati Library. Story Art will open the same weekend as the festival, and will include many authors participating in Books by the Banks. This exhibition offers students of the Art Academy and the wider community the opportunity to view the artistry and process of bringing story books to life.

Artists included in the exhibition: Erin Barker, Keturah Bobo, Tim Bowers, Jane Dippold, Jeffrey Ebbeler, David FitzSimmons, Barry Gott, Jacob Grant, Fern Haught, Will Hillenbrand, Tara Calahan King, Terri Libenson, Loren Long, Tammy Lyon, Katie Mazeika, T.L. McBeth, Wes Molebash, Debbie Palen, C.F. Payne, Merrill Rainey, Rafael Rosado, Blyth Russo, Chris Sickles, Joe Sutphin, Christina Wald, Lindsay Ward, Deann Wiley

About the curator: Jeffrey Ebbeler is a New York Times best-selling illustrator. He has illustrated and occasionally written over 60 books for young readers. His published work includes picture books, middle grade and chapter books, and graphic novels. He teaches illustration at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, and is also an AAC alum.

More info: https://www.artacademy.edu/exhibitions/story-art/

New Book! Der kleine Doktor

 

My latest book is out from Weber Verlag!

Description from the website: Why does our heart beat? How does blood flow through our body? And why do we sometimes get sick? This book provides answers to these and many other fascinating questions. The renowned physician Dr. Adel Abdel-Latif takes his readers on a journey of discovery through the human body. He explains how our bodies work in a playful and easy-to-understand manner, supplemented by many vivid illustrations, infographics, and memory questions. The book is aimed at children ages eight to twelve and their parents—and anyone who would like to learn more about the miracle of the body.

You can order a copy here although I am not sure if they deliver to the USA.

This was such an interesting book and I learned a few things from illustrating it!

New Book! CELEBRATION AT KEW PALACE IN KEW GARDENS

 Bridgerton fans will recognize this palace😊

Book 2, CELEBRATION AT KEW PALACE IN KEW GARDENS, by Marsha Varrow and illustrated by me, is now in the Kew Gardens, London shop!



I hope to get copies in my hands soon and stay tuned for book 3!

Sketch

Mozart guest stars

It is now available on the Kew Gardens website!

New Book! DENNY-JO AND PINTO AT THE RODEO

 

Just out!

The latest book in the Denni-jo series is out!  DENNY-JO AND PINTO AT THE RODEO is an action-packed story. I learned a great deal about the various competitions at a rodeo. That is the fun of being an illustrator. We learn so much about different things.

Get a copy here!

Join me in Morocco!

 

I had been recently thinking I wanted to go to Morocco and the universe responded!

I will be exploring Essauira on the gorgeous coast of Morocco, September 20-27th in 2026.

Experience an inspiring painting retreat in Essaouira

Make the Most of your Travel Sketchbook

We will have a small classroom each day to go over the lesson modules.

Day 1: Quick Captures and Story Telling - Monochromatic palettes

Day 2: Capturing Complex Scenes - Color Palettes

Day 3: Sketching People - Ink and Watercolor

Day 4: Introduction to Gouache

Day 5: Landscapes in Gouache

Day 6: People and Animals In Gouache

Materials:

Half-inch flat brush

Round brush with pointed tip

Ink Pen of your choice, I prefer something permanent

Fine White Posca Pen

Basic Watercolor Kit

Basic Gouache Tubes

Paper Towels

Tape

Sketchbook with good mixed media paper

I will provide some paper for exercises.

The Itinerary is amazing!

You can read the itinerary details and register here. The limit is 12 people.

Price is in Euros:

Sketcher Fest!

 

All the instructors and volunteers after Sketcher Fest

July 17th-Ice Cream Boat Cruise

This was an amazing event, like sketch heaven.

The Ice Cream Boat

We started with an Ice Cream Cruise on an very interesting boat with hand-painted tables and chairs and stained glass. I drove over with James and Patti Richards. Even though I had my own rental, we were in the same hotel and carpooling is good!

We went to Figurehead, a brewery in walking distance of the terminal, after the ride for sketching. I had a really interesting White Stout on nitro and we sketched each other.

July 18th-Gas Works with Urban Sketchers Seattle

I forgot to get a good photo,
 but fortunately, Jim did!

The next morning, Urban Sketchers Seattle sketched at Gas Works Park. It was such a cool place! I mean literally, it was in the 60s, pleasant after the heat in Ohio.

I met a kindred spirit in Shawne, a sketcher from NYC who is hosting a sketch trip to Italy in October. We went to Rays Boathouse after the event for fresh oysters and, in my case, ceviche. When I am on a coast, I try to eat as much seafood as I can.

I met my friends John and Cheryl from Portland Friday night for beer and hot dogs, including their dogs Vinko and Pogo.

DAY 1 OF SKETCHER FEST

On day one, my workshop was not until 1:30, so I had a little time to sketch with Urban Sketchers Seattle again at the market.

It was such a hive of activity. I am still kicking myself for not getting a free cloth shopping bag. It was the perfect way to warm up for my workshop. I had several stops planned and we ended up at a gelato shop. 

The workshop participants were so engaged and motivated. It was a pleasure to work with them. My friend Polina Gortman surprised me by showing up to my workshop!

We talked about adding narrative to your sketchbook and overhearing conversations. We had three stops and ended up at a gelato shop which seemed to please everyone. I am very inspired by Dan Archer's reportage comics and suggest everyone check them out.

Images from the Edmonds Market and the cute dogs

Workshop Photo by Jim Beckley

Workshop Photo by Jim Beckley

Final throwdown at the gelato shop. Workshop Photo by Jim Beckley

That evening, they had a nice taco dinner for guest artists, guests, and volunteers at Graphite, the central hub of activity.

We went to a bar called Church Key after and sketched. 

My table in the sketch expo. Photo by Kat Klockow

DAY 2 OF SKETCHER FEST

The Sketchbook Show started at 10am and my talk was at noon. I sneaked and bought a bag from Roam to take to Poland.

My friends Kat, Blayne, and Marisa visited for my talk and we had luch at a really good Thai restaurant after.

There was a good crowd for the talk and two people sketched it. I had worked hard to make sure it stayed on time. I can talk a long time if unchecked. There were a lot of good questions asked.

My lecture! Photo by Kat Klockow

I love this sketch. I am still trying to find out who this is so I can credit the artist.

 

Blayne Fox's sketch. She added color later!

There was a nice after-party at the Waterfront Center followed by a sunset photo. After a quick sunset sketch, we ended up at Church Key again to unpack the day. 

The lunch crew!

    

The timeline is all over the place on this one from the 19th till the 21st.

Monday morning, the Seattle sketchers planned a trip to Port Gamble and Port Townsend.

I was at first going to drive the car to the ferry, but our friend Tracy had a huge Toyota and took 5 of us. That made the ferry ride really fun. The ferry loading process is so smooth, and the ride is delightful but short.

We sketched at Port Gamble and had lunch in Port Townsend at Sirens, a mermaid-themed restaurant/bar. I had an oyster shooter with vodka and fish and chips. Weirdly, they did not allow anyone in the restaurant in under 21, a bit of a surprise. Ohio, like most Midwest states, has some odd liquor laws, but that is not one of them. Leftovers from Prohibition? Although Carrie Nation said even she could not smash all the bars in Cincinnati because there were so many.

We (Matt, Bill, Aiden, Jenny, and Eleanor sketched each other.

I worked on a gouache sketch after lunch and everyone thought Bill Russell was in the picture. He wasn't but it does kind of look like him.

Port Townsend and the sunset from the night before.

After a transcendent day, I went back to the hotel to pick up my stickers(a whole other adventure), which arrived the day after Sketcher Fest, and went to a hotel by the airport, a Best Western a bit less fancy than the one in Edmonds. 

They had one last outing planned the next day for the famous Pike Place Market, but I needed to get home. I have a lot of art to finish before I go to Poland in two weeks.

Thanks again Gabi Campanario for organizing this wonderful gathering celebrating sketching and sketchbooks!

Gabi had us do nametag sketches