Expand Your Sketchbook is a 2 week course experimenting in a fun format of sketchbook with wax, watercolour and ink. Using an ‘octopus’ book, a long narrow format with 8 sheets of paper, we will make marks using wax, watercolour and ink, learning to enjoy the random effects the wax gives, making us less worried about the end results.

The course is taught by Gillian Cooper and Samantha Townsend, giving you the benefit of two different approaches to the same techniques and ideas.

It is delivered online, via a series of videos and pdfs released over the two weeks plus a Zoom call on the final afternoon. All the videos and pdfs are available to download, so you can watch as many times as you like, even after the course is finished.

Content

Week One
Exploring mark making with wax, paint and pen and ink

Drawing from photos

Drawing landscapes

Week Two
Layering wax and wash

Blocks of paint and continuous line

Facebook Group

There is a private Facebook group where you can post your work and any queries. We will be active in the group for the two weeks giving feedback, advice and adding extra ideas. The group will be there as long as it is being used, but we can’t guarantee to be as responsive after the course ends.

Zoom Calls

There will be a live Zoom call at the end of the course at 4pm to discuss progress and ideas on how to explore these materials further.

The call is recorded and a link to the recordings will be sent to all participants. If you are unable to attend in person, you can always send your questions in advance so they are covered during the calls.

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for all levels of drawing ability.

Can’t draw? Learn some techniques to make some great pages in your sketchbook. Learn how to be freer in your approach, relax and appreciate the results rather than worrying about recreating something exactly.

If you are already confident at drawing, this course will give you some new techniques to work with to expand your drawing and sketchbooks further.

It is a great follow up to the Create a Sketchbook course.

Although this course is not fabric based, the work you create could be translated into wall hangings afterwards. The principles of layering, colour and line translate really well into quilts.

What do I need?

A few days before Expand a Sketchbook begins, we will send you an introductory video. It explains the supplies and ideas we will be covering. You will also receive a full supplies list.

A kit of everything you need is available for £27.00 extra. It contains an A5 octopus expanding sketchbook, black ink, a fineline pen, Koh-i-noor set of 24 watercolours, 2 different styles of paintbrush and a wax block.

You can also buy the course with the sketchbook for an extra £9 if you already have the paints etc.

This course would be the equivalent of 3 days teaching in person with two tutors.