In-person Nature Journaling and Art Workshops
£30.00 – £65.00
Field Art: Painting in Holyford Woods. Friday 26th April, 10-4pm – Holyford Woods and/or Umborne Bridge Studio, Colyton – £65. Working outdoors is a fantastic skill that has a different set of requirements to painting in the comfort of a studio. In this class, I will show you my outdoor painting techniques in Derwent Inktense pencils, focusing on capturing the beautiful Holyford Woods, right in the middle of bluebell season! You will learn the materials you need for effective plein air painting in a sketchbook or nature journal (less than you think) and how to negotiate overwhelm when there is so much to see. The morning will be spent exploring and making “thumbnail sketches” in colour. There will be a lunch break outdoors (please bring a packed lunch, a shop is available at Tower Services). The afternoon will then be spent finishing one (or more) painting(s) at your favourite spot in the woods. Tuition will be provided throughout (group tuition in the morning, then one-to-one through the afternoon as I play “hunt the artist” round your chosen painting spots!) Suitable for any artistic ability level, including complete beginners, all materials provided. PLEASE NOTE: This is an outdoor workshop, there are some steep slopes in Holyford Woods – I recommend you scope the area first, good mobility will be required. The nearest parking is the layby picnic area at the top of Seaton Down Hill, where we will meet. In the event of bad weather, we will spend some of the day at Umborne Bridge Studio.
Introduction to Garden Journaling. Saturday 22nd June, 10-4pm – School of Art & Wellbeing, Honiton – £65. Learn techniques for documenting the changes in the garden and the nature that frequents your patch. In this class, I will show you how to keep a beautiful, illustrated record of the garden; the plants that grow in it, the nature that frequents it, and the things that still need doing! Based on the stunning walled vegetable garden of the School of Art & Wellbeing, you will learn fundamental drawing, writing, and observation skills based on elements of botanical illustration and nature journaling. Techniques from bullet journaling will also be used to help you construct illustrated pages for your gardening to-do lists. To keep track of the seasons, you will also try out ideas such as plant calendars and phenology wheels. All materials and light refreshments are provided. Please bring a packed lunch.
Bird sketching workshop. Thursday 4th July, 2–4.30pm – Umborne Bridge Studio, Colyton – £30. Learn to draw birds in this fun interactive workshop. Using photos and video, practice getting the “jist” of a bird in as few lines as possible – perfect for improving your sketching skills. After this class, you’ll be ready to try sketching live birds at a bird feeder. The trick is in the mindset, letting go of perfection and getting into the observation of the shapes birds make. This is a beginner friendly and fully indoor class. Suitable for any ability. Tea, biscuits and all materials provided!
Botanical ink making workshop. Saturday 20th July, 10–4 – Umborne Bridge Studio, Colyton – £65. Learn the techniques to make natural inks from plant and tree materials in this full-day workshop and make a batch of botanical ink to take home with you. Think bubbling cauldrons and fun with different pigments. Lots of plant materials, vials to take your creations home, test paper and all other equipment provided. Beginner-friendly. Bring a watercolour-friendly sketchbook if you’d like to swatch your inks in the class. Tea and biscuits provided, please bring a packed lunch.