A Spring Sketchbook Retreat - A 30 day project

Celebrate that beauty is found within small things. Connect with the season and with the awakening of spring. Notice the wonder around you as nature stretches and stirs from its winter slumber. With tasks, creative projects, journalling and rituals to take you through noticing and rejoicing in the small details as the landscape refreshes itself.

A new sketchbook project for a new spring to help you unfurl and take a creative path through the emerging springtime. Tap into the same feeling we have within us of coming through darkness; of finding our way through the cracks. Take your cue from nature, as I show you ways to create and become more energised, moving towards growth and towards blooming int the summer.

There is something euphoric about the lighter days. Everything feels like it's coming back to life after the cold. I bask in the warmth of the sun breaking through softly at this time of year. I practice yoga, I walk more as the air starts to feel fresher, lighter like it’s full of promise.

This course brings together the strands of creating a spring inspired sketchbook whilst also acknowledging our primal need to renew and grow. Take in the vivid colours and magical natural happenings that fill us with ideas, creativity and hope. Video lessons will introduce you to techniques and ideas to take you through the stages of filling a mixed media sketchbook whilst tasks in writing, observing and gathering will support the process of gently noticing the peacefulness, simplicity and promise of small beautiful moments around us.

Join me so I can share my spring connection with creativity and guide you through the season. The course is designed across 30 days but as it is a self-paced online course, you can complete the tasks as and when you feel the urge. 

This course is for you if:

• You want a supported creative connection to the season that is gentle and encouraging

• You believe making and art are good for the soul

• You want a regular practice to help you lift your spirit and to grow

• You like working with shape, line and pattern

• You want to look for the beauty in small things

• You like to mix words with images and the drawn with the made.

• You want a gift for your creative soul

How do you stay motivated? How do you rest and reflect and stay in creative flow? Creativity isn't a superpower - it is a skill that needs nurturing with all your senses engaged and by heightening your connection to the world. This course combines, drawing, making and writing as well as encouragement to get out into the world, to touch, feel and record what is out there. Having structured tasks will create a routine for you to develop your skills and express yourself.

Ultimately the course is structured for enjoyment, with gentle encouragement and to set boundaries and a time for you to engage in creativity. Most of the tasks are designed to be done at home - with some tasks to encourage you to go out and enjoy what is around you. The course assumes no previous experience. Those with more experience can still get so much from the structure and encouragement of the course and working with a new approach. This course would very much suit those who journal and want to integrate an art element.

You will finish the course with:

• a calm and soulful mixed-media sketchbook

• a range of ideas and techniques that you can revisit again

• the motivation to carry on drawing and collaging

• a closer connection to nature and yourself

• confidence to get past creative block

• a sketchbook of ideas that you can develop into art or textile work

• a sense of wellbeing and connection to the changing seasons.

This online course offers you:

10 Video tutorials - From the blank page to simple drawing techniques, to embellishing with print and collage - I will walk you through my processes. You can watch these whenever is convenient for you and stop and start them as you follow along. 

30 daily tasks delivered in blocks of 7 tasks - one to do each day.  These are themed and mix creative tasks with well being and journalling tasks.

A 'Welcome' session plus sections with additional resources so you can lean-in to the wisdom of nature and get support for your creativity. 

A 'Goodbye' session with a summary of what you've learnt and where you can take your creativity next.

Access to an online group forum for feedback from me and other students - mutual support and motivation! (forum opens on March 20th 2025)

I try to use basic art equipment that most will have already. Mostly I encourage you to use what you have. :)

Suggested kit list:

For drawing, art making:

• Cartridge paper approx 150gsm

• Brown Kraft

• A4 sketchbook if you want to work in one

• Carbon paper (from a stationery supplier)

• cardboard or mountboard offcuts

• Craft foam sheets

• Black ink /Green ink / yellow ink/ blue ink

• Watercolour brushes

• Watercolours or gouache or acrylics

• Black pen

• Charcoal pencil/pencil

• Sheets coloured or repurposed papers - old book pages/maps/envelopes/letters

• Long blade scissors

• glass jars and bottles or similar

For self-care rituals:

• Essential oils

• Notebook and pen

What you will need to have:

• The materials on the materials list (see above)

• Access via a PC or laptop to my website where you can access the password protected pages

• Broadband wifi with sufficient speed to watch video content

• You will also need a willingness to have a go and try new ways of working - not focussed on the outcomes, but on developing a creative flow and adapting new techniques

• Time - regular slots that you can set aside for yourself

• Commitment to fulfil the tasks and share with others in the group so that we can nurture each other.

What to expect:

• After signing up you will get email confirmation of your booking and can start immediately.

• Delivery is via video tutorials that you can start, stop and repeat as you wish. 

• There are tasks set for you to try what you have been shown in the videos as well as step by step photos of how I created the sketchbook pages in the course

• You are encouraged to take photos of what you create and upload them to the course Facebook Group.

• You can ask questions in the group, or by email.

Content filmed in 2025