A Lovely Start to Sketchbook Studio

It’s been wonderful to meet the children over the past week and begin to get to know them.

There was such a buzz of energy and enthusiasm from the start — especially when it came to personalising their sketchbooks. Watching them create their own 'spaces and places' within those pages, making them feel unique and personal, was a real highlight.

We began with some drawing exercises to practice observation skills — one of the most important skills an artist can develop, and one that needs constant practice. Learning to draw what you see, rather than what you think you know, takes time, patience and a willingness to look more closely - and to be able to make mistakes!

Over the coming weeks, we’

ll be building on this with gestural drawing — loosening up, becoming more confident with mark making, and allowing the process to feel more playful.

I’ll be bringing in a range of reference materials to spark interest, including portraits, figures, botanicals, cats of all sizes, and some more imaginative prompts like dragons and other mythical creatures for them to delve into their own interests, learn more about making accurate, as well as expressive, drawings and trying out different techniques and media.

Alongside this, the children will begin to think about composition, while continuing to develop their observational skills. This helps children learn how to organise their ideas on the page - deciding what to include, where to place it and what to draw attention to. This builds confidence, critical thinking skills and strengthens their drawing.

We’ll also be working with a variety of media to explore colour theory and texture in different ways through collage and pattern exploration. Exploring colour and texture in this way helps children understand how colours work together and how surfaces can change the feel of their work. It encourages experimentation and builds confidence in making creative choices without the pressure of needing to “get it right.”

This 6-week block isn’t focused on producing polished final pieces, but on giving children the time, tools and guidance to explore how artists actually work. By experimenting with materials, learning new techniques and practising key skills, they begin to build confidence, develop their own ideas and grow in creativity - which ultimately leads to more meaningful and accomplished outcomes over time.

In future blocks, we’ll begin to build towards more resolved final pieces — drawing on the skills, techniques and processes the children have been exploring here. Having had the chance to experiment and develop confidence in their ideas, this creates an exciting opportunity for them to approach their work with greater independence, creativity and intention.

I always encourage the children to use their sketchbooks throughout the week — building a small, regular habit of drawing. It doesn’t have to be every day, but the more they draw, the more confident and capable they become. Don't worry if they fill their sketchbooks quickly! I have plenty more and we can also add papers to their current sketchbooks too.

I’m really looking forward to seeing how their work develops over the coming weeks.