Creative Sketchbook (Autumn)

Dates: 

Creative Sketchbook 

6 weeks from 15th September 2026 

15, 22, 29 Sept

6, 13, 20 Oct

October Half Term: 27th October 2026

Creative Sketchbook – Memories and Identity

6 weeks from 2nd November 2026

2, 10, 17, 24 Nov

1, 8 Dec

Course Outline

Creative Sketchbook is a drawing and mixed media course using a sketchbook and would appeal to those who enjoy experimenting with a range of media and approaches.

1st Term – Creative Sketchbook – Starting a Sketchbook

Creative Sketchbook is a drawing course with an experimental mixed media approach. You’ll discover how sketchbooks are used by art students and artists alike as an essential tool for developing creativity and improving drawing skills. Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to use a sketchbook effectively and develop approaches to record your own art activities.

You’ll explore a variety of creative techniques to build the necessary core skills. This course is ideal if you’re interested in drawing and enjoy experimenting creatively with different materials and ways of looking.

Course Content

• Explore drawing by experimenting with different media, gestural methods, mark-making techniques, tonal contrasts, shapes, spaces and proportion.
• Experiment with colour by developing your knowledge of colour theory using watercolours, pastels, coloured pencils or felt pens.
• Create texture and detail through a range of mark-making techniques.
• Develop your sketchbook practice by learning how to research, record and develop creative visual ideas for specific art projects.

Materials List

Please bring:

• An A4 or A3 cartridge hardback sketchbook
• A collection of drawing pencils (HB, 2B, 6B)
• An eraser
• Willow charcoal
• A ruler
• Glue
• Scissors
• Masking tape
• White gouache paint
• Waterproof black ink
• Watercolour paints
• Brushes suitable for watercolour
• A selection of coloured media, which could include water-soluble pencils or crayons, pastels, watercolours or felt pens

Optional but recommended:

• Household sponge
• Scraps of bubble wrap
• Small scraps of card from recycling
• Citrus fruit net
• Toothbrush
• White candle

Optional:

• Any other materials you enjoy using, such as inks, pens, other types of paint or conte
• A craft knife/scalpel
• Recycled papers

Materials will be discussed during your first session, and you may already have art materials that can be used.

Please bring the following to the first session:

• Your sketchbook
• Pencils
• An eraser
• Paints
• Brushes
• A palette
• A small selection of coloured drawing media
• Masking tape
• Scissors
• Glue

Please also bring one or two objects to draw from.

Suggestions include (but are not limited to):

• Natural objects, such as shells, stones, fruit, vegetables (possibly cut in half) or plants
• Shoes
• Hats
• Travel souvenirs
• Tools
• Toys

Other materials can be discussed during your first session. You’ll also receive a syllabus outlining which materials to bring each week.

2nd Term – Memories and Identity  (Nov – Dec)

The theme for this six-week course is Memories and Identity and covers portraits, design skills, and working from treasured objects and memories. Amongst other projects you’ll make a simple artist’s book based on an experience or memory and create images using simple, accessible printmaking techniques. You’ll use the sketchbook as a place to explore, develop and build on ideas.

Level

• Beginner (some basic knowledge of the subject)
• Intermediate (some knowledge & experience)

Course Content

• Tonal drawing of a head using charcoal and erasers
• Playful collage of a head, matching colour to tone
• Trying out a wide range of materials and a variety of approaches to drawing
• Design skills: learning how to make dynamic page layouts
• Creating a very simple book based on an experience or memory
• Using very simple printmaking techniques to create the images for the book

Materials Required

• A4 or A3 cartridge hardback sketchbook
• Pencils
• Pencil sharpener
• Eraser
• Masking tape
• Ruler
• Glue
• Scissors
• Approx. 3 sheets of A4 tracing paper
• A selection of coloured media which could include water-soluble pencils or crayons, pastels or felt pens
• A set of watercolour paints
• 1 or 2 watercolour brushes
• Palette
• Box of mixed size willow charcoal
• Monozero pencil eraser
• A cheap set of gouache or acrylic paints

Optional:

• Any other personally preferred materials, e.g. inks, pens, paints or conte
• Craft knife/scalpel
• Recycled papers

For the selection of coloured media, shops such as Tiger, Søstrene Grene or The Works often sell inexpensive pastels, crayons etc. which would be of adequate quality for this course. For brushes, pens, paints and watercolour paper, specialist art suppliers or a good stationer would be a better option if finances allow.

Please bring the following to the first class:

• Sketchbook
• Pencils
• Ruler
• Eraser
• Willow charcoal
• Monozero pencil eraser

Other materials can be discussed during the first session. You’ll also receive a syllabus outlining which materials to bring each week.

What to Wear

Something you don’t mind getting a bit messy, or an apron.

Tutor Bio:

Emily Burton holds a BA in Graphic Design, specialising in illustration, and an MA in Drawing. With nearly twenty years’ experience teaching a wide range of art courses, she brings both expertise and enthusiasm to her classes.

Emily enjoys working with adults of all levels, valuing the humour, life experience and curiosity they bring. Her teaching is clear and structured, yet responsive to the needs and individuality of each student. She aims to create a supportive environment that nurtures confidence while also challenging those with more experience.

In both her teaching and personal practice, Emily encourages rigorous observation and creative experimentation.

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