| Payment Option | Full weekend – £150, Saturday only – How to Draw a Tree – £80, Sunday only – How to Draw a River – £80 |
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Umborne bridge studio | 2nd and 3rd august 2025
how to draw a
tree/river
weekend workshop
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.
Limited to 8 places
What will you learn?
SATURDAY 2ND AUGUST: HOW TO DRAW A TREE
Morning session: How to draw trees. After a short introduction, Alex will introduce you to the ‘stick tree’ method of drawing trees. In graphite, we will examine what gives trees their character and how to capture this convincingly. We will then walk through Colyton to a wooded and pasture area alongside River Coly and practice this method of drawing trees in the field. During this walk, we will also gather materials for the afternoon session. In the event of poor weather, magnificent tree photographs will be provided for your use instead.
Lunch: Please bring a packed lunch. Finn Coffee is also available next door.
Afternoon session: Understanding trees in coloured pencil. We will develop on the skills from the morning using our gathered materials to create sketchbook pages that illustrate your chosen tree from the morning. This will include elements of nature journaling, identification and also a detailed workshop in using coloured pencil effectively. The day will conclude with a discussion of how to use the book to document a tree of your choosing and explore artistically in a range of ways including collage, different papers and drawing techniques, and nature journaling.
A signed copy of “How to Draw a Tree” is included in the price for this day.
SUNDAY 3RD AUGUST: HOW TO DRAW A RIVER
Morning session: Water in stillness and motion. After a short introduction, we will begin graphite and linework exercises to practice drawing water effectively. In graphite, we will look at how to create convincing reflections and ripples on water. We will then walk a short distance to the River Coly and practice drawing moving water using fineliners. All techniques will be demonstrated by Alex before you have a go yourselves.
Lunch: Please bring a packed lunch. Finn Coffee is also available next door.
Afternoon session: Drawing a river in coloured pencil. We will develop on the skills from the morning using a batch of beautiful waterfall photos taken in the Welsh hills. Now we will look at how to create convincing tumbling water in coloured pencil and fineliner. The afternoon will conclude with a discussion of how to explore a river through art and nature journaling, as described in the books, to motivate you to give this idea a try.
A signed copy of “How to Draw a River” is included in the price for this day.
Your questions answered
Do I need to have any experience?
No, this workshop is suitable for complete beginners or those with an existing artistic practice. Every process will be demonstrated first before you give it a try yourself, so you can see what is required. Individual guidance will be provided when needed throughout.
What will I need?
Bring comfortable outdoor clothing suited to the weather forecast and suitable footwear for the walk part of the day. An indoor alternative will be provided if the weather forecast is looking particularly poor. The walk is quite short, no more than a mile and there is plenty of drawing time. Bring something to sit on outdoors if you prefer not to stand or sit on the grass. Please bring a packed lunch or money to buy from Finn’s next door or the shops in town. All art materials are provided.
Any other questions? Email me via alex@alexboonart.com and I will do my best to help you.
About the tutor
Alex Boon
Alex Boon is an artist and nature journaling educator from East Devon, UK. He achieved a PhD in environmental science before working in postdoctoral research and scientific communication roles. Alex left academia, moved to the rural West Country, and started his first nature journal in 2016.
He now teaches both online and in person workshops and courses and is active on YouTube and Instagram. His focus is making nature journaling encouraging and welcoming for anybody who wants to try it, an ethos he maintains in his Nature Journaling Circle online school and community.
‘How to Draw a Tree’ and ‘How to Draw a River’ are his first books, due to be published with David & Charles on July 22nd 2025.
Book your place now
Looking forward to seeing you this summer. You have the option of paying for one day (one book) or for the full weekend (both books). Please select your choice from the drop-down menu below.
Please note: Payment is non-refundable. if there is a major reason you cannot join us, email me and payment will be offered as credit for a future course or retreat. in the event of cancellation our side, a full refund will be offered or transfer to a future event. thank you!