Drawing Realistically with Umulkheir Abdi

Teen Art Lab

A detailed pencil drawing of a seated couple, partially obscured by gold shapes over their faces. The man is wearing a suit and the woman is dressed in a flowing garment, decorated with floral patterns. They are positioned against a backdrop of draped fabric. Surrounding the couple are sketches of plants and scattered art materials, including pencils and erasers, on a work surface.

A work-in-progress by Umulkheir Abdi.

Umulkheir Abdi

May 18, 2026, 1:30 PM to 5 PM (Victoria Day)
Open to all youth aged 13–19. No prior experience needed.
Free with registration. Limited space. All materials provided.
Registration closes May 11.

Learn to show others what you see, how you see it!

This workshop is about drawing realistically. It focuses on looking carefully to analyse shape and shadow and making marks on paper to translate what you see onto a flat two-dimensional surface, and the possibilities for storytelling that this gives you.

Through hands-on exercises and experiments with graphite, charcoal and other drawing media, you’ll learn how to tune-in to what your eyes and brain see, and how to share what you see with others through your drawings.

This workshop will be of interest to any kind of illustrator. Whether you are an experienced drawer or just starting out, this workshop is for you!

Please note: Upon registering, a parent or guardian will need to sign a consent form on behalf of their teen.

This workshop is generously supported by the Tuey Charitable Foundation, the Deux Mille Foundation, and Friends of the Gibson.

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Artists

Umulkheir Abdi

Umulkheir Abdi is a Vancouver-based freelance artist of Somali-Kenyan heritage with an international practice spanning three continents. She is a self-taught illustrator working with both digital and traditional paper media. Holding a BA in Art History with minors in Curatorial Studies and African Studies from the University of Toronto, her practice is grounded in both critical research and visual storytelling. Her work centres underrepresented communities, particularly Black and Muslim identities, addressing their historical absence in traditional art spaces. Through intimate, tonal portraiture, she explores everyday expressions of dignity and presence, while engaging questions of visibility, authorship, and the politics of representation. Informed by her African and Islamic heritage, her practice reflects an ongoing interest in diasporic identity and the construction of cultural narratives.