Blog posts and creative musings
For 2023 I have donated a second watercolour design to the national charity Cancer Support France. Volunteers for this association do amazing work helping English speaking people and their families affected by cancer. This year my design is titled ‘Our … Read More
In July I was contacted by a writer for ‘La Dépêche’ who was compiling an article listing art courses and workshops available across the region. A few phone calls later and we found ourselves chatting by the Canal du Midi … Read More
Have you been naughty or nice?! I hope that you enjoy a wonderful week of celebration and 2023 brings you much happiness, good health and many many things that you wish for. This festive face was the subject of our … Read More
I’m super excited to be working with Etchr Studio on a second series of Urban Sketching workshops. This free 30 minute class on YouTube is a preview for the longer mini workshop “Dynamic Colour Choices”.… Read More
New for 2021 I have partnered with Etchr Studio to give some new online urban sketching workshops – check out the free YouTube preview here! … Read More
During this pandemic one of the things I have missed a great deal is sketching with friends. It’s not just fun to spend time with like-minded people but it’s inspiring too. Sharing time talking about our ‘watercolour woes’ and ‘drawing … Read More
A new public group for sharing sketches/paintings/drawings of (or from) France, which can include photos of work sketched from photo reference.… Read More
I’m very excited to let you know I’m doing some new ‘online’ travel sketching sessions via Zoom! This is a great way to stay connected, whether you are in lock-down, self-isolating, just want to chat with like-minded people or of … Read More
People love seeing ‘real’ art in their newsfeeds – especially during difficult times like these. Contributing a photo to #GivingTuesday will help spread a little bit of sketchy joy this November, and every sketch entered is a winner !… Read More
Unfortunately, like many other holidays this year, Sketching for Foodies could not go ahead this month – so this online workshop is the next best thing! Food sketching is one of the most fun, and it’s increasingly popular because of … Read More
In a disastrous year for travel, let’s create a beautiful travel sketch, based on where you are right now.… Read More
A fun and fabulous weekend sketching in Collioure, August 2020… Read More
A day out sketching Vire Vire de Caractère, Plage de Paulilles with Urban Sketchers Languedoc and Vincent Desplanche… Read More
What or where would you like to sketch this winter? In France? Online? I’d really appreciate your feedback and suggestions.… Read More
If you like my artistic style and would like a unique piece of work for yourself, or someone special, please do get in touch. I’d be truly delighted to hear from you… Read More
Sketchtember 2020 is here to help you fill several pages in your sketchbook and try some new techniques, but perhaps not every day. It’s up to you. Sign-up for the free modules and give it a try!… Read More
Sketching workshop with Urban Sketcher Santi Sallés in Béziers – April 2021! … Read More
When the world is traveling again (let’s imagine it is a ‘when’ not an ‘if’), Ian Fennelly will come back to France! Ian’s quirky whimsical sketches and unique style of drawing have won him thousands of followers, clients and sketching … Read More
In light of the recent lockdown I hesitated about printing these brochures, but they are now available and if you’d like to receive a copy for yourself or a friend, please just email me your address and I’ll gladly post … Read More
I think it is fair to say that this is the year when nothing is going according to plan – for anyone. My list of events for spring included an exhibition at the tourist office for the Canal du Midi … Read More
The Sketch Languedoc! Summer Programme restarts 22 June! The summer sketch diary has been in place for a while, and after many weeks of confinement and caution, I’m delighted to confirm it can now go ahead. Please check the calendar … Read More
The Urban Sketchers manifesto is strictly about drawing on location, sketching what you see in context, but for various reasons that’s not always possible – either because of working hours, travel restrictions, or you simply don’t feel comfortable drawing in … Read More
In France we have been ‘deconfined’ for just over a week and this area has been designated a ‘green zone’. This suggests that the number of Covid cases are falling, restrictions can be eased and we can resume some pre-pandemic … Read More
I live in the small French village of Quarante. Sitting high on a hill surrounded by vineyards it has a medieval centre with narrow cobbled streets and an impressive church. It has all the charm a French village should … Read More
Well this is a turn up for the books! Two of my great pleasures are to a) sketch outside and b) spend time with people. One thing I never expected to be doing in Spring 2020 is recording online classes. … Read More
I am planning a series of online workshops to draw and paint animal ‘portraits’ in different styles! If you would like your pet (cat, dog, fish, horse, llama, chicken, hamster, rabbit … ) to be the star of the show, … Read More
For the second year running, Sketching for Foodies and other Sketch Languedoc holidays have been included in the annual guide to Painting Holidays in Provence… Read More
What’s the difference? Relax and draw with these different techniques and see how to draw a Mandala without a compass… Read More
We are conditioned not to make mistakes, to err, to be on the wrong side of ‘right’. As a creative, this conditioning spells big trouble with a capital T. What makes a line bad, or a paint colour the wrong … Read More
EDiF returns this month with a host of new daily prompts to help you keep up your sketching practice.… Read More
I’m thrilled to announce a new exhibition of work taking place at Inspiré Boutique in Azille from 1 April through to 25 April.… Read More
If you are taking photos to use at home, or for a commission that you have asked me for, here are a few tips… Read More
I recently participated in the Salon d’Arts in Marcorignan. This 2 day event gives local artists and creators an opportunity to share their work for sale or by commission.… Read More
From November through to March, some new 2hour Croquis Café workshops are available on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings in Béziers, Capestang, Narbonne and Carcassonne.… Read More
Sparkles, Chateau, Vineyards, Sketching and a quick trip on a boat – all on a very hot day in June !… Read More
If you’re unable to take part in a local event then please join me in Sketchtember and sketch from home! … Read More
The doors have recently opened at a ‘new’ art gallery in Azille, and as part of the new programme of events I am holding sketching workshops there too.… Read More
The Every Day in May group started in May 2011 on Flickr. The Flickr group later migrated across to Facebook and sparked an annual initiative to provide a list of sketching prompts for people to follow. There are now worldwide Facebook groups for every month of the year.… Read More
In the creative arena, there’s a huge amount to be gained from joining an art group. The Daily Sketchers is a small and friendly private Facebook group, and if you would like to join you will be very welcome.… Read More
UK readers – if you subscribe to Crafts Beautiful magazine – you’ll find Sketch Languedoc in the March issue 😊… Read More
Attending this event was a very last minute decision! I have crossed business paths with Jackie, the organiser, on several occasions. She writes articles for the local newspaper amongst other things. Jackie was quite insistent that I should take some … Read More
My sketch of ‘Beryl’ on the front cover of the Autumn 2018 edition of LE SUN – Languedoc & Provence Sun magazine.… Read More
Timelapse of the sketch of Beryl in the vineyard, for Languedoc & Provence Sun magazine… Read More
UK readers – find Sketch Languedoc workshops and holidays in the September edition of Prima Magazine!… Read More
If you would like a memorable, and extremely relaxing sketch day, this really is it! Contact me and we can arrange a workshop cruise on a date and at a location to suit you.… Read More
