In-person learning

Alex Boon, Anna Brewster, Mike Ilsley, Bryony Lamb and Anne Townsend have teamed up to create a beautifully curated exhibition celebrating the light, nature and the coastline and countryside of Devon, Dorset and beyond. We’re delighted to be working together for the first time as a collective, and we’ve got so much work to share with you. Come along and say hello!

Learn plein-air sketchbook painting techniques at the height of bluebell season in the beautiful Holyford Woods, East Devon. Learn to paint bluebells and their environment using Derwent Inktense, all outdoors (with the potential of return to the cosy studio if needed). Great for outdoor painting beginners, all materials included.

Derwent Inktense is a fantastic medium for creating artwork both indoors and outdoors. Bright and vibrant, Derwent Inktense pencils are similar to watercolour pencils, except they dry permanent like ink. This 4-week, in-person course continues from the popular “Painting Nature in Derwent Inktense” and you will need to have done this course first, either at Umborne Bridge Studio or online here.

Are you someone with a passion for nature and creativity? Looking to learn a few artistic techniques and/or how to identify species?
Want to slow down and settle into a deeper state of observation in nature? How about an weekend away nature journaling a rural site in Devon, UK, together with a supportive group? Tuition by nature journaling educator and artist Alex Boon with mindfulness sessions led by meditation teacher Rachel Mann. Located at the beautiful School of Art & Wellbeing in East Devon, UK, with an old cricket pavilion converted into a large, bright art studio, forest garden, walled vegetable garden, wildflower meadow, yurts, and polytunnel creative space. Accomodation available onsite (to be booked separately).

Nature journaling immersion retreat for those with some experience. Have you been nature journaling a little while but looking to broaden and deepen your skills? Come together in a small group to nature journal at a beautiful rural location in East Devon, UK and learn new skills with nature journaling educator and artist Alex Boon. Find calm with mindfulness sessions led by meditation teacher Rachel Mann. Hosted by the beautiful School of Art & Wellbeing, a peaceful location with an old cricket pavilion converted into a large, bright art studio, forest garden, walled vegetable garden, wildflower meadow, yurts, and polytunnel creative space. Accommodation available onsite (to be booked separately).

A special weekend workshop in celebration of the publication of Alex Boon’s two books “How to Draw a Tree” and “How to Draw a River” with David & Charles. This weekend is suitable for beginners to art or to drawing nature. All materials are provided, along with a signed copy of each book for the relevant day Saturday: “How to Draw a Tree”, Sunday: “How to Draw a River”. £80 for one day, £150 for both days.

This is my fifth year taking part at Umborne Bridge Studio, Colyton, where I am joined by fellow artists Anna Brewster, Jane Llewellyn, Zee Jones, Bud Hodson, Bryony Lamb, and Naomi Brookes. Come in to see work from my trees and rivers book project and to buy signed copies of the books. Also, as usual, my nature journals will be available to view, including the microseasons journal for this year. Maps and prints from the Undercliffs project will also be available for sale. I have two free demonstrations on offer too, details below.

In this one-day introduction to nature journaling, Alex will show you some fundamentals of nature journaling with fun prompts and exercises that are suitable for level. We will begin with a simple sketchbook and pencil with a full morning of sketching by the riverside in Colyton (weather dependent). After lunch, we will return to the studio to work the morning’s observations into a page (or more!) of paintings and writing. Materials included, bring a packed lunch!

This course focuses on fundamental drawing skills to improve your nature-focused artwork or nature journaling. We will focus our attention on drawing accurately using graphite, confidence with line using ink, and colour and texture with coloured pencil. This course is best suited to those with some previous art experience (a previous class/course or two will be fine) although relative beginners will be welcomed. The first 20 minutes of each class will be a demonstration of that week’s skill with discussion of common pitfalls. All art materials are provided.