Dive and Draw in Cozumel, Mexico
April 6th – 10th, 2022
You will dive, draw, paint, and help restore a coral reef!
Draw under water then transform your underwater drawings into stunning works of art!
This Dive and Draw workshop will be held in beautiful Cozumel, Mexico and will be facilitated by three renowned artists:
Mark Hagan, inventor of aquaSketch® and Marine Artist.
Patti Mollica, contemporary artist, author, and instructor.
Colleen Flanigan, artist and founder of Living Sea Sculpture®.
Requirements: Basic dive certification.
Prior drawing experience is not necessary.
Snorkelers and non-divers can participate if interested in painting the marine environment.
🐠 A portion of the proceeds go towards coral restoration, research, and projects.
Dive and Draw 2022 Details
Diving and art go hand in hand. Both connect us with flowing moments of feeling fully alive. If you love the ocean and want to learn how to sketch and capture underwater impressions quickly, like figure drawing, to take back into the studio to translate into personally expressive artwork, this workshop is for you. We invite you to slow down to really see and immerse yourself in the aquatic environment in a relaxed atmosphere.
You will dive from the shore to explore a mix of colorful Caribbean marine life amidst human-made coral restoration objects and sculptures. Species of Caribbean fish, corals, sponges, crabs, octopuses, snails, and anemones are just a few of the regulars in this clear turquoise paradise. Large mammals are not abundant in this zone, yet the quality of the light and arrays of seascape are an ideal site to practice with the aquaSketch®️ palette.
You will also learn about coral restoration efforts in the area and be given an opportunity to participate in this ecological work if you choose to add the Zoe Excursion to your workshop experience. We are excited to provide you with an experience custom-made for sensory artists and divers who seek to make artwork of and for the sea.
April 6th
Arrival Meet & Greet
There will be a meet and greet from 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Sunset Restaurant and Bar
April 7th
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Preparation for underwater drawing
- Basic drawing skills for beginner through advanced students.
- How to use the aquaSketch® to draw under water.
- Diving techniques when drawing.
- Use of photography for reference.
- Use of other reference materials.
- Intro to Zoe – A Living Sea Sculpture, a coral restoration project.
There will be a 2-3 hour class in the provided workshop space covering how to use the aquaSketch® Palette and materials underwater, safe dive procedures when drawing underwater, various drawing techniques for underwater drawing, respect for the environment, and the use of color media underwater amongst other topics along with a question and answer period.
During this first class participants will need to have a sketchbook and something to draw with as we will be doing a number of drawing exercises as a “warm-up” for the following day underwater. A supply list will be sent out to the participants in advance.
Afternoon Dive
Get to know the surroundings. If snorkeling rather than diving during the workshop, this can be an exploratory snorkel. The area is easily accessible from shore. Excellent visibility and average depths are 12′ – 25′. Our dive guides will be there if you need a refresher and to run through buoyancy exercises.
April 8th
9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Ocean underwater drawing
Prerequisite: Open water dive certification; bring your dive card.
- Instructors and divemasters are present.
- The aquaSketch® and all other materials are provided.
- Diving and drawing underwater at the site.
There will be both morning and late afternoon/early evening dives so you can get in as much underwater diving & drawing as you can while experiencing multiple shore entries and shifts in lighting and animal behavior. Opportunities for Q&A and debriefing after the 1st dive before our lunch break.
April 9th
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Painting Workshop
We’ll start the day with another dive and drawing excursion before focusing in the painting studio.
- All underwater student artwork is scanned into a computer.
- Participants receive printouts of their drawings on heavy cotton rag watercolor paper.
- Instruction in the use of reworking the underwater drawing with various art media, i.e. watercolor, acrylic paint, pastel techniques and ceramic, provided.
- All art supplies, computer hardware, scanning, and printing services are provided.
- Pat and Mark will look over each participant’s aquaSketch® drawings and, if necessary, recompose them by scanning them into Photoshop®.
- The final composition will then be printed out on watercolor paper where the students can continue working on their underwater drawings using the materials of their choice.
- At the end of the day, the best work of each participant will be selected for the aquaSketch® Workshop Gallery Show
Each participant will receive an individual private consultation with Mark and Patti throughout the day while others are working on their paintings.
April 10th
Options for the Day
The Zoe Excursion 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Participants have the option to add this course to their workshop experience. In this course, participants will dive with Colleen to learn more about Zoe – A Living Sea Sculpture®and engage with the coral restoration project as an optional, additional workshop activity.
The Zoe Excursion includes a basic introduction about the restoration method, the corals, the research, and the story behind this living memorial art, science, and technology project. Participants will learn to assist with hands-on caring for the habitat. This is another opportunity to enjoy a scheduled dive during the workshop.
Painting in the Studio
For those students who wish to continue working on their paintings in the studio, that is another option in preparation for the exhibit and reception later in the evening.
Venture Out On Your Own
Enjoy the island at your leisure and meet us back at Casa Del Mar Hotel in the evening for the reception.
*Due to the nature of nature, some activities may need to be shuffled if the weather dictates it to be so. Safety first!
April 10th Evening
The aquaSketch® Workshop culminates with an informal gallery style wine and cheese reception featuring your framed pieces at the Casa Del Mar hotel. This celebration closes the event.
Workshop Price
2022 Dive & Draw Workshop
Transportation Not Included in Workshop Pricing
Tanks for dives are included. Additional gear can be rented on location. If you have questions about gear and transportation, contact us at livingseasculpture@gmail.com
Price Per Person
$690 USD Dive & Draw Workshop + Zoe Excursion.
Hotel Accommodations
Casa Del Mar (optional)
The Casa Del Mar is a short walking distance to the dive location (approximately 5-10 min.) and where some of the workshop will take place. Prices shown below are for you information only. You will pay the hotel directly.
What’s Included
Standard room, taxes, hotel fee, DSA, food starting with lunch or dinner on the day of arrival and ending with breakfast on the day of your departure, non-alcoholic drinks.
Participants will make reservations directly with the Hotel and will receive a special code for our group’s discount package rates.
Single Occupancy
5 Nights
Double Occupancy
5 Nights (Per Person)
1 or 2 beds as requested and are subject to availability
SPACE IS LIMITED ENROLL NOW FOR DIVE & DRAW COZUMEL 2022
About The Instructors
Mark Hagan
Instructor | Owner & Inventor of aquaSketch®
In 1983 while working as a musician on the T.S.S. Carnivale, Mark began to sketch regularly and soon was appointed ship’s artist. Upon returning to Boston he was awarded a scholarship to study painting at The School of The Museum of Fine Arts.
After moving to New York, he studied anatomy, drawing, and painting at the Art Students League in NYC. Masters there instilled in Mark the importance of working directly from life.
An avid scuba diver and environmentalist, he has studied underwater photography with Cathy Church at Sunset House in Grand Cayman, BWI, and Jim Church off the coast of Belize aboard the Aggressor III. He has also studied animal and marine anatomy with Stephen Quinn at the Museum of Natural History in NYC.
Years of experimenting to make drawing possible underwater, Mark developed the aquaSketch® system and founded aquaSketch®, Inc. the world’s foremost writing, drawing, and reference for all extreme environments. aquaSketch® products are now available worldwide and in constant use by the US Military, NASA, and NOAA as well as Sea Shepherd, Greenpeace, and other environmental organizations.
Mark’s marine paintings are derived from observations, sketches, and hundreds of photos taken on the many dives he has made throughout the world in locations ranging from the China Sea off Okinawa, Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, and the Caribbean off the coasts of Cozumel Mexico, the Florida Keys, Grand Cayman, and Belize.
Colleen Flanigan
Socio-Ecological Artist | Founder of Living Sea Sculpture®
Through visual, performing, and biological arts, she investigates contemporary issues of species endangerment and ecosystem regeneration, specifically coral reefs.
Her work encompasses Living Sea Sculptures, conversation-catalyzing alter egos, participatory multimedia exhibitions, and more.
Colleen works at the intersection of art, science, technology, and the environment.
She is the first visual artist to be certified in electrolytic mineral accretion, a method for coral reef restoration that shares many metallurgical, electrical and chemical principles with her early jewelry and sculpture, which encompassed electroforming, casting, welding, surface patinas, and mixed media fabrication.
The first of its kind in Cozumel, Mexico, Colleen and an international, interdisciplinary team have created and maintain a DNA-inspired artificial reef sculpture.
Zoe – A Living Sea Sculpture® has become an artistic coral refuge, scientific study, and unique attraction in the MUSUBO underwater museum in Cozumel, Mexico.
Divers, scientists, filmmakers, universities, government, tourism, and others are involved in regenerating the endangered ecosystem and biodiversity in this easily accessible location.
Patti Mollica
Artist, Author, Instructor | Owner of Mollica Studio, NY
Patti delights in painting the world around her in a bold, confident style, with hues that are vibrant, energetic and contemporary. Her work is known for its fearless use of color and expressive brushwork, while still blending a delicate balance between impressionism, abstraction and realism.
Patti has been commissioned by, and is included in the private collections of American Express, Sheraton Hotels, CBS & RCA Records, Penguin Press and many others.
She is a Certified Teacher for Golden Paints and conducts workshops throughout the U.S., covering topics such as “Innovative Acrylic Techniques using Golden Paints”, as well as “How to Paint Fast, Loose and Bold”.
Patti’s original artwork is represented in several galleries throughout the US.
Published prints and posters can be found in retail chains worldwide. She is the author of 4 Books, “How to Paint Fast, Loose and Bold”, “Modern Acrylics “, “Color Theory”, and “Acrylics – Getting Started”, as well as 3 instructional painting DVD’s, “Value, Brushwork, and Color Techniques”
Casa Del Mar Hotel & Dive Resort - Cozumel, Mexico
Workshop Affiliates
Contact Us About This Workshop
Drop us a line! 🎣
Are you looking for more information?
If you’d like to know more or you’re interested in creating a private event at Zoe – A Living Sea Sculpture® in Cozumel, please drop us a line. We love creative ideas!
Living Sea Sculpture®
Zoe – A Living Sea Sculpture, Av. Rafael E. Melgar, 77600 San Miguel de Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Where this event will be held
Dive and Draw 2022 | Cozumel, Mexico | Living Sea Sculpture
Join us for a unique diving experience in Cozumel, Mexico! Dive and Draw 2022 April 6-10. You'll dive, draw, paint and learn about coral restoration
Event Type: VisualArtsEvent
Event Attendance Mode: OfflineEventAttendanceMode
Event Status: EventScheduled
Performer: Organization
Performer Name: Living Sea Sculpture and aquaSketch
Performer URL: https://LivingSeaSculpture.com
Start Date: 2022-03-23 17:57
End Date: 2022-03-27 22:58
Ticket URL: https://innovations.livingseasculpture.com/dive-and-draw-2022/
Entry Price: 650
Currency: USD
Availability: InStock
Availability Starts: 2022-03-23T17:57:00
Stock Inventory: 8
5
Dive and Draw 2022 | Cozumel, Mexico | Living Sea Sculpture
Join us for a unique diving experience in Cozumel, Mexico! Dive and Draw 2022 April 6-10. You'll dive, draw, paint and learn about coral restoration
Event Type: VisualArtsEvent
Event Attendance Mode: OfflineEventAttendanceMode
Event Status: EventScheduled
Performer: Organization
Performer Name: Living Sea Sculpture and aquaSketch
Performer URL: https://LivingSeaSculpture.com
Start Date: 2022-03-23 17:57
End Date: 2022-03-27 22:58
Ticket URL: https://innovations.livingseasculpture.com/dive-and-draw-2022/
Entry Price: 650
Currency: USD
Availability: InStock
Availability Starts: 2022-03-23T17:57:00
Stock Inventory: 8
5