Oil study of cup, jug and vase One morning recently I was sitting browsing through an issue of artists and illustrators magazine and I just got the urge to get out my oil paints which I hadn’t used for quite some time. Still life set up After a bit of a search about I found …
In this life drawing session I experimented with a looser, more gestural style of drawing using compressed charcoal. I enjoyed letting go of perfectionism and creating more messy, expressive work. This style of drawing really lends itself to quick 1-5 minute poses- it forced me to focus on the movement of the figure to create …
Continue reading Gestural life drawings in compressed charcoal
Aimee- negative space In my sketchbook I have been enjoying reworking old and new life drawings into new compositions using collage and mixed media techniques. I used old paintings that I no longer liked or needed and cut them up to create new pieces in my sketchbook using them as backgrounds or parts of the …
Continue reading Life drawing mixed media sketchbook: playing with figures
Natasha 20mins 4x 5 minutes poses 15 minutes 20 minutes 10 minute pose For this life drawing session I concentrated on drawing with a sanguine conte crayon. Sanguine has been used throughout history to draw the human body. Artists such as Leonardo DaVinci, Michelangelo and Raphael used it to create detailed anatomical drawings. Rembrandt also …
Continue reading Life drawings: sanguine drawings of Natasha
Gil- sad fairy Sketch book collage composition I had a great time drawing the model Gil in a recent life drawing session at Whalley Life drawing group. In this session I enjoyed exploring different mediums including collage, graphite pencil, soft pastels, charcoal and conte crayons. I had pre- prepared a collaged background made from hand …
Continue reading Life drawing- and the start of a mixed media sketchbook
In this Sketchbook Revival session Janine Vangool “explores the creative possibilities of turning your sketchbook into a “text” book, while spending time with your thoughts to create personal messages (and more) using tactile, pre-digital lettering methods.” During this session we watch Janine utilise a myriad of printing tools and techniques to add text and fonts …
Continue reading Publisher & designer of UPPERCASE, Janine Vangool’s sketchbook revival class
As part of Sketchbook Revival 2026 I participated in the class run by mixed media and collage artist Drew Steinbrecher. In this class we were encouraged to go out into our environment whether that be an urban environment or a natural one, and take notice of the shapes, textures, colours and contrasts that interested us. …
Continue reading Drew Steinbrecher sketchbook revival class: making work from your environment
This April I took part in the Sketchbook revival challenge. This is an 11 day sketchbook challenge organised by Karen Abend. The sketchbook revival is in its 9th year and consists of 11 days of free courses provided by lots of talented artists on various subjects, materials and techniques to get you using your sketchbook …
“Here we go a Maying” oil painting on linen board, May 2026, Rachel Crawshaw
A watercolour painting of beetles from a series of artworks capturing the artist’s recent trip to Florence
Mushroom Moon Designs 