Small and Close - Mixed Media Panel Sketchbook Spread of a garden with a hedgehog
You are in for such a lovely, playful session with this one.
Watch Here:
In this class recording, I guide you step by step through creating a mixed media panel drawing made up of three interconnected scenes. We work with a simple but powerful idea of “zooming in” – beginning with a wider view, moving closer, and then finishing with a detailed close-up. In my demonstration, I use a house, some pots and plants, and finally a hedgehog, but you can absolutely adapt this to your own references.
We begin by lightly sketching the layout and planning how the three panels will sit together. I show you how to create rounded corners for a softer, more playful feel, and how to think about visual connections between each scene so the whole composition feels cohesive rather than separate pictures stuck next to one another.
Materials I use
Watercolours for loose base layers
Coloured pencils for definition and depth
Fine liners for small details
Water-soluble crayons for texture and richness
An opaque pen, such as an acrylic paint pen, to cover little mistakes
A pencil and eraser for the initial sketch
I keep the colour palette limited, mainly greens and oranges, and I explain how that instantly brings harmony to the piece. You will see me mix a mossy green by softening it with orange or yellow, and I apply the watercolour quite loosely. I let the colours mingle slightly. That gentle unpredictability is part of the charm.
Once the base layers are dry, I show you how to build details gradually with coloured pencils and fine liners. We keep the style illustrative and playful rather than aiming for hyper-realism. I talk quite openly about simplifying shapes, experimenting when something is not quite working, and allowing so-called “mistakes” to lead you somewhere interesting. Some of my favourite discoveries have come from moments that did not go to plan.
At the end, I demonstrate how to frame each panel with outlines, how to choose softer outline colours instead of stark black, and how to let a few elements gently escape the frame for a bit of extra life and movement.
If you enjoy combining materials, working intuitively, and creating something that feels cohesive yet full of character, this class will suit you beautifully. Set aside a little time, gather your materials, and join me. I would love for you to draw along and see where your own three panels take you.
