In-person Nature Journaling and Art Workshops

Introducing botanical sketching and painting. Thursday 1st February, 10-12.30pm – Umborne Bridge Studio, Colyton – £30. Get the basics of the botanical sketching and painting style in this half-day workshop. We will be working on winter twigs. Learn the fundamentals of identifying different hedgerow twigs and find out how this detailed noticing translates into a rigorous drawing. In botanical illustration, the emphasis is on observation and accuracy. I’ll show you a few examples of this from published literature and my own nature journals and then we will have a go. Twigs are simple botanical forms, and tuition will be provided to make this introduction suitable for anybody with an interest in nature (you do NOT need to be “good at art”). You will learn how to start a sketch in pencil, how to use fineliners to create a “framework” for your paint, and then how to paint with colour accuracy. Also the sorts of notes that you will want to keep to continue sketching in this style in your own sketchbooks.  Suitable for any ability. Tea and biscuits and all materials provided.

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.