Makings and Musings Community

Recording in the Library

Last night in my community art class we spent the evening drawing a sweet little otter in coloured pencils, inspired by the feeling of signs of spring. It was such a gentle and joyful session, and I loved seeing everyone slowly bring their otters to life on the page.

In this class I guide you step by step through my coloured pencil process. I work a little differently than many people expect. I do not start with a graphite sketch or use an eraser. Instead, I begin with very light coloured pencil lines and slowly build the drawing through layers. By the end, the original sketch lines become part of the finished artwork.

I show you how to start with simple shapes to find the form of the otter. Rather than trying to draw a perfect outline, we search for the shapes first — soft spirals…

In this class we paint a soft and joyful spring scene using the wet-on-wet watercolour technique.

Remember you can watch this recording and Loads and Loads of other class recordings in the Library Here

Together we create a glowing background and then slowly build up the painting in layers, finishing with delicate cherry blossoms and the suggestion of a tower in the distance.

I start by showing you how to prepare your paper with water so the colours can move and blend naturally across the page. Using gentle washes of colour, we create a loose background where yellows, pinks and touches of green softly merge together. This is the magic of wet-on-wet painting: letting the water and pigment do some of the work for you.

Last night we painted the wild primrose, that delicate little spring flower that appears quietly in hedgerows and along woodland paths. If you are watching the recording now, I am so pleased you are here. Take your time and enjoy moving through the process at your own pace.

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I began by talking about what mixed media really means. It is simply the layering and combining of different materials to build richness and texture. With our wild primrose, we first took time to understand its structure. I showed you how to begin with the small star shape in the centre, then gently build the soft, pale petals around it. We kept our sketch light at first, refining the lines once we felt comfortable. The rounded leaves helped anchor the flower and gave balance to the composition.

From there, we moved into paint. I started with a loose watercolour background…

You are in for such a lovely, playful session with this one.

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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

Would you be able to explain how to download the reference photos on the lessons please ?

Thank you so much xxx 🥰

In this class, we paint a frog together using loose and relaxed watercolour techniques.

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I guide you step by step, starting with very simple shapes and then building up layers of colour, so you can follow along at your own pace without feeling overwhelmed. You do not need any previous experience, and you are very welcome to make it your own and explore in a way that feels comfortable for you.

Along the way, I share lots of practical tips, such as how to use different brush sizes, how to create soft and hard edges, and how to add details without overthinking it. I also show you how I use water to create gentle blends and textures, and how working more loosely can help your painting feel more alive and expressive.

This class is all about enjoying the process rather than aiming for a perfect result. We focus…

In this session, we are drawing puppy in coloured pencils. We focused on working with colour right from the start, instead of doing a graphite sketch first.

What I loved about this session was seeing how different everyone’s drawings turned out, even though we were all working from the same reference. Some stayed very soft and gentle, others went bolder with their colours, and all of them felt completely right. It is such a good reminder that there is no one ‘correct’ way of drawing, and that your own way of working is always enough.

This class is a lovely one if you want to feel more confident with coloured pencils, especially if you enjoy drawing animals and adding texture. It is calm, relaxed, and very much about enjoying the process rather than worrying about getting things perfect.

Next week we will be drawing a frog in a much more…

In this video, I am sharing a gentle introduction to acrylic paint markers and how I like to use them in my own art practice.

I am using a mix of Ohuhu Nahuku acrylic paint markers and Posca paint markers, and I am drawing a simple little avocado illustration to show how they work.

I talk through what acrylic paint markers are, why I love them so much, and how they differ from other types of pens and markers.

One of my favourite things about them is the opacity – the colours are so vibrant, they do not bleed through the paper, and you can easily layer colours on top of each other once they are dry. I also share a bit about the different types of nibs, like soft brush tips and bullet tips, and why I personally prefer a brush tip for drawing and sketching. That said, you…

In this class, I guide you through an artist study inspired by Erin Henson, an American painter known for her bold, colourful landscape paintings. I introduce you to Erin’s work and talk a little about her style, which she calls open expressionism, where the focus is on feeling, movement and expressive brushstrokes rather than realism.

https://www.erinhanson.com/portfolio

Watch here:

We work from one of her paintings, Ruby Beach, and I show you step by step how I build up my own version. I start with a simple sketch and then move into blocking in colours, layering paint, and adding texture using different brush strokes. I demonstrate how I use both watercolour and gouache, and I explain the difference between them, especially how gouache allows for more opacity and easier layering.

This session is very practical and hands-on. You can paint along with me in real time, or pause and rewind as…

In this class I take you through a relaxed and colourful still life drawing.

I work from a winter themed reference photo and I show you how I break it down into simple shapes and playful lines. I focus on enjoying the process rather than getting things perfect, so you can feel free to be a bit wobbly and expressive in your own work.

The artists I showed you art the start are:

Susanne Rose: https://www.instagram.com/susannerose_sketchbook/

Sandi Hester: https://www.instagram.com/sandihesterart/

In this class I invite you to slow down and paint a quiet winter scene with me. We focus on a calm night landscape with the northern lights and a small house glowing in the snow.

January’s theme is winter quiet, and that feeling runs through the whole session. I show you how I build a painting in gentle layers.

We start light and soft.

Then we slowly add darker colours and details. I use watercolour as a base and combine it with crayons, coloured pencils, markers and brush pens. I explain why I choose each material and how they work together.

If things feel messy at first, that is part of learning. I guide you through it with care.

In this January session, I invite you to slow down with me and draw a little cardinal bird, tucked into the quiet of winter.

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We work from a snowy reference photo and take the drawing step by step, building it gently in coloured pencil. I show you how I layer colour, follow the direction of the feathers, and use light pressure to create depth and softness. You create your own version as we go, and there is plenty of space to make it your own.

This class is part of our Winter Quiet theme. It is calm, focused, and perfect if you enjoy taking your time and really getting to know your materials. You can pause the recording whenever you need and work along at your own pace.

Materials used in this class

In this class, I invited you to slow down and explore a loose watercolour background technique.

We began by letting go of detail and control. I showed you how I start with simple blobs of colour using a large round brush, allowing the paint to move and mix naturally on the paper. By letting colours touch, beautiful textures appeared without any effort.

I talked you through how water changes everything in watercolour. I demonstrated how more water creates soft, pale washes and how less water gives stronger, more intense colour. I also showed you how to lift paint back out using clean water and kitchen paper to create lighter areas.

These abstract layers became the base for our winter forest scene. Once the background was dry, we moved on to adding details with pencils and pens. I showed you how I use a white pencil on darker areas to create…

Hi everyone,

I have just added all current members to my new course, Wintery Watercolours. You should have received an email a moment ago with the steps to sign in.

You now have full access to the course. When you click the link in your email, you can sign in with your email address and create a new password. Once you have done that, you will be able to reach the course any time.

A new painting will open each day for seven days. You will keep access to the whole course for as long as you like.

If you have any trouble logging in, please tell me. I am here to help today. You do need to set a new password, so please look out for that step.

Here is the login link once more (to use after you set a password by clicking the email you received) :…

I loved painting with you tonight. In this session we worked together on a gentle and festive project. We painted a reindeer in watercolour, with a calm wintry background and a few mixed media touches at the end. I guided you through each step so you could follow at your own pace.

We started with a simple sketch. I showed you how to place your reindeer on the page so there was enough space for those wonderful antlers. I talked you through light searching lines, looking at shapes, and using negative space to help you see the form more clearly.

Once our sketches were ready, we moved on to the watercolours. I showed you how to wake up the paints, how to work from large to small brushes, and how to build soft layers. We created a cool blue base to give the painting a winter feel, added shadows, and…

In this session, I guided you through a cosy autumn and winter still life using gouache. I wanted to show you how calm and enjoyable it can feel to paint with slower, layered strokes, and how lovely it is to build a picture step by step. If you are new to gouache, this class is a gentle way to try it. If you prefer watercolours or mixed media, you can join in just as well.

Watch Here:

We explored how gouache behaves, how it differs from watercolour, and why its soft matte finish is so charming. I showed you how to mix your colours, how to block in large shapes first, and how to add your finer details at the end. You could follow the reference photo closely, or simply use it as inspiration. The warm browns, reds, and soft golden tones made it a perfect subject for our November…

In this session we drew a hare in coloured pencils together. I took you through the process step by step and showed you how I build a drawing slowly, with gentle layers, soft shading and small marks to suggest the texture of fur. You explored how light layers can grow into rich colours, how contrast brings a drawing to life, and why I like to save the very darkest tones until the end.

Along the way I talked a little about hares in stories. They appear in many cultures as magical and clever creatures, often linked with the moon. It was lovely to bring some of that atmosphere into our drawings.

You only need a few materials to join this session:

• Drawing paper

• Coloured pencils

In this session we created a cosy little village in line and wash. I guided you through the process from the very first ink lines to the final touches of snow and glow. We worked from a simple seasonal display photo, and I showed you how you can turn an ordinary scene into a magical winter moment.

I walked you through the waterproof pens I love to use and how you can get lovely results without needing anything fancy. We talked about choosing the right paper, how to keep your ink safe once you add water, and how to build your picture in simple steps. You started with gentle shapes, then added more depth, texture, bricks, cracks and little surprises. I shared some inspiration from the German illustrator Gabrielle Carasusan and we had a look at her charming villages and her circular backgrounds. https://www.carasusan.art/pages/watercolor-illustration

You then added colour with watercolours.…

In this class, we painted a calm and misty forest scene in watercolour.

Watch here:

I used mostly watercolours from tubes, but if you prefer pans, that works just as well. It’s all about enjoying the process. I showed you a few simple techniques, including one where I used a broken bank card to apply the paint – a lovely way to add texture and those soft, uneven edges you find in nature.

We built our forest up slowly, layer by layer, using five or six gentle washes to create that misty depth. Once the soft blues and greys were dry, I added a few deep black silhouette trees in the foreground. And of course, the finishing touch – a tiny red fox painted in gouache to bring a little warmth and story to the piece.

This class was recorded on Zoom, so the video quality is a little lower…

Let's talk about one of my favourite art materials — watercolour pencils! In the video, I explain what they are, how to recognise them, and how you can use them both dry and with water.

To show you how they work, I do a little sketch of a Highland cow in my sketchbook. It’s a loose, colourful and slightly messy drawing — just the kind of playful sketch I love when I don’t have much time but still want to make something creative.

I know quite a few of you already use watercolour pencils, so I hope you’ll enjoy this short tutorial for some extra inspiration and fun. And if you’ve not tried them yet, this might be the perfect reason to give them a go!

I’d love to see what you create — feel free to share your own watercolour pencil sketches in the group!

In this Floral Still Life Mixed Media class, I’ll guide you through creating your own beautiful floral arrangement using a playful mix of materials.

Watch Here:

We’ll start with a simple reference photo, but you’ll have plenty of freedom to make it your own. I’ll show you how to build layers, mix colours, and use line and texture to bring your flowers to life.

This session is all about looseness and joy—no need to worry about perfect petals or exact shapes. I’ll demonstrate different ways to combine materials and encourage you to explore what feels right for you.

You can use whatever you have at home, but here’s what I’ll be working with:

This week, I led an art session exploring sunset-inspired drawings using oil pastels, coloured pencils, and other media.

We focused on blending, layering, and creating gradients, with a relaxed pace so everyone could experiment and share their work. I demonstrated techniques for texture and colour harmony, and we discussed how different materials—like baby oil or Vaseline—can help with blending.

We also spoke about the history of oil pastels, and I shared tips for adding silhouettes and reflections to create depth.

In this relaxed zoom class, we explore how to sketch beautiful landscapes together. I’ll guide you step by step as we create a drawing inspired by a reference photo. We’ll start by breaking the scene into simple shapes — looking at the foreground, middle ground, and background — and I’ll show you how to build up your composition with confidence.

Watch Here:

We’ll talk about perspective and how things appear smaller and lighter in colour as they move into the distance. I’ll demonstrate how to use fineliners to add detail and texture, and we’ll play with mixed media techniques — combining ink, watercolour, and coloured pencils to bring your autumn scene to life. I’ll encourage you to make your drawing your own, perhaps by adding a few personal touches or a different kind of house or tree.

This class is all about enjoying the process, experimenting with your materials, and…

In this class we will paint glowing candles in watercolour. I will guide you step by step and you do not need any previous experience to join. This session is beginner-friendly and all about learning and playing.

We will practise both wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques. I will show you how to create soft glowing light with gentle washes, and how to use darker layers to bring out the candle’s warmth. You will have time to explore, experiment, and enjoy the calm process of painting.

You will need:

• Watercolour paper (preferably 300gsm)

• A few brushes (a larger round brush and a smaller detail brush)

Join me for a relaxed and playful Watercolour and Ink Drawing Class, where I’ll guide you through the line and wash technique.

Watch here: Apologies, the video is a little blurry

I’ll guide you through the line and wash technique. Together, we’ll explore drawing with ink first, then adding layers of watercolour to bring your artwork to life. In this session, we’ll focus on a Harvest-themed tractor drawing, adding charming details like birds, flowers, and even a goose to make your piece whimsical and full of character.

I’ll show you how to use different pen sizes, experiment with wobbly and straight lines, and layer watercolour in a way that is both precise and free-spirited. We’ll also cover tips for creating depth, adding shadows, and leaving white space to enhance your painting. Most importantly, I’ll encourage you to make the drawing your own, adding personal touches and playful details along the…

For September I looked at another art material to show you. This time it’s Conté Sticks.

They are a bit of a mix between charcoal and pastel sticks but harder (and therefore more precise).

Watch here:

I’m curious to hear if you know these and if you ever tried them.

Xxx irene

In this class we drew little mice with colour pencils. I guided you step by step, starting with a simple sketch and then slowly building up the colours and textures. We focused on getting the shapes right first—the body, the head, the tail—and then added all the lovely details that bring a mouse to life, like its ears, nose and tiny feet.

Watch Here:

I showed you how to work with light, gentle lines in the beginning and how to layer colours gradually. We used purples and browns for shadows, pinks and reds for noses and cheeks, and saved black for the very last touches. I also shared how to create soft fur texture, how to make eyes sparkle, and how to add little footprints and shadows to give your mouse character and depth.

This is a calm and gentle drawing session, perfect whether you are completely new to drawing…

I am so happy to share my newest sketchbook tour with you. This Strathmore 400 watercolour sketchbook (A4 size) has been my companion from February 2024 to July 2025, and many of the pages inside were painted during our sessions together.

As you watch, you may recognise some of the pieces we worked on side by side. This sketchbook has been a true labour of love, and I feel very grateful that so many of the pages hold the memories of our creative time together.

✨ You can watch the full video here:

I hope you enjoy seeing the finished book, and perhaps it will inspire you to look back through your own sketchbooks with fresh eyes.

With love,Irene

In this session, I will guide you step by step as we create a mixed media autumn landscape together. We will begin with a soft and colourful watercolor background, using bold washes for the sky and land. From there, we will gradually build up our scene with layers of pencils, pens, and other materials to bring texture, detail, and depth.

Watch Here:

✨ Materials you will need ✨

• Watercolour paints (a basic set is fine – include yellows, browns, greens, and blues)

• Watercolour paper (hot-pressed or cold-pressed, whichever you prefer)

Hello lovely creatives,

In this session we celebrated the start of September together and explored the beautiful colours of autumn. I showed you some of my favourite watercolour techniques for painting harvest vegetables – from bright tomatoes and courgettes to vibrant carrots and beetroots. We practised both wet-on-dry and wet-on-wet methods, looked at colour mixing, and experimented with creating texture.

Watch Here:

remember it is perfectly fine to make mistakes and to paint a subject several times – every attempt teaches you something new. Sometimes less is more, and often the most vibrant results happen when we loosen up and allow the colours to flow freely.

I also mentioned my love for carrot top pesto: This is the base recipe I use. I use whatever nuts and seeds I have available and I also use my cheese leftovers (parmesan but also cheddar or other hard cheese works well).

In this class we painted a big, bold sunflower together. I guided you step by step through the sketching and painting process, starting with simple shapes and building up the petals, leaves and seeds.

Watch here:

We explored how to bring a sunflower to life using different materials and I encouraged you to experiment, to play with texture, and to enjoy the process rather than worrying about perfection.

Along the way, I shared tips for layering colours, creating contrast between foreground and background, and adding those little details that make the flower glow. We also looked at how to use mixed media to our advantage—blending watercolours, adding depth with pencils, and finishing with highlights from oil pastels or markers.

This is a relaxed and mindful session, so feel free to pause, rewind, and take it at your own pace.

This workshop aims to provide tools for participants to create their own travel records beyond just photos.

Watch here:

Writing down and preserving our thoughts has always been a very human thing to do. Just as with drawing, writing is a way of creating images and symbols that carry meaning. It helps us make sense of the world and leaves behind traces of who we are.

Think for a moment about your own handwriting. The size of your letters, the space you use on the page, the tools you prefer – all of these little choices tell a story about you. In this workshop, we will take time to reconnect with the practice of writing and reflecting, this time through the lens of travel.

You may have seen travel journals that come with pre-made pages for notes, expenses, or itineraries. They can be useful, but today I want to invite…

In this workshop I share one of my favourite mediums with you – watercolour pencils. They are such a joy because they combine the precision of a coloured pencil with the softness and flow of watercolour paint.

Watch Here:

I begin by showing you different ways to use them: sketching dry, adding water afterwards, and even dipping the pencil straight into water for stronger marks. I explain why these pencils are wonderful for travel sketching and why I prefer starting with colour instead of graphite.

Together we explore a peaceful countryside landscape. I guide you through placing the horizon, hills and a lake, and we add a little sheep in the foreground using very simple shapes. You will see how I block in colours, layer greens and blues to create depth, and keep the sheep light so we can return with details later.

I show you how adding water brings…

Painting Koi Carp in Watercolour

Watch Here:

In this session, we painted graceful koi carp, and I took you through my process step-by-step.

We began with sketching – searching for the right shape and being flexible enough to adjust or erase lines when needed. I showed you how to make the top line of the fish stronger, tilt the tail for a dynamic composition, and even let your drawing spill off the edge of the paper for energy and movement.

We painted some koi last year too: This is the video is that class

BLOB Technique: Mixed Media Swallow

In this special class, I will take you step-by-step through the full BLOB technique to create a little mixed media swallow. I know we have explored this method before, but this time we are slowing down and giving ourselves the time to enjoy the full process—without rushing to finish in just one session.

We begin with a playful layer of watercolour, using the BLOB method to lay down loose shapes that suggest our swallow's form. Once dry, we move on to coloured pencils to bring in finer details and tidy things up. Finally, I use water-soluble oil pastels to cover little imperfections and add that extra character and richness to the piece.

You can use any art supplies you have at home. The focus is on layering, experimenting, and taking our time. It is a relaxing and joyful process, and I cannot wait to see…

Oil Pastel Blending & Lavender Field Drawing Workshop

In this joyful and colourful session, I shared lots of oil pastel techniques with you—from how to blend colours smoothly, to creating vibrant skies and dreamy lavender fields.

Watch Here:

We explored ways to mix and layer colour to build depth and atmosphere, using both oil pastels and wax crayons.

You saw me demonstrate how to use cotton buds, tissue paper, and even the back of a pencil to blend, shape, and highlight. We talked about layering light colours first, how to approach tricky tones like purple, and how to play with texture to bring your scene to life.

In this video, I’m creating a playful abstract painting using my cold colour palette—think blues, greens, silvers, and a touch of purple.

Watch Here:

I’m making loose, uneven squares across the page, just exploring how the water and paint interact and what kinds of textures appear.

You’re very welcome to join in, and of course you can use any colours you like. Once everything was dry, I added a few details with silver ink and fineliner pens—this part feels a bit like doodling, calm and mindful.

It is a simple and relaxing exercise, perfect for unwinding and getting creative without pressure. I hope you give it a go, and I’d love to see what you come up with!

In this class, I will guide you in drawing your own personal map. Together, we explore how to turn your experiences, memories, and dreams into a beautiful and imaginative artwork. You will learn simple drawing techniques that help you shape islands, forests, mountains, and other landmarks—each one representing something meaningful in your life.

Watch Here:

You can follow along with me, or you can make the map truly your own by adding symbols and stories that matter to you.

I created five themes to help get you started:

• A meaningful journey

In last night’s art class, we created a mixed media landscape of the colourful castle in Sintra, Portugal. It was a slightly more challenging piece than usual—but such fun to explore! We started with big, loose blobs of watercolour and slowly built up the painting with layers of detail using mixed media.

Watch the recording here:

You can add whatever you have—coloured pencils, pens, markers, crayons, or fineliners.

After the live session, I looked at my painting and felt it needed a little more work, so I finished it this morning and filmed that part too. I’ve added that second video here for you.

I finished the painting this morning in another 45 minutes:

Ladybug and Raindrops – Colour Pencil Drawing Class (Replay)

In this session, I showed you how to create a beautiful ladybug illustration with raindrops and leafy details using colour pencils. I guided you step by step through the drawing process, starting with a simple sketch and building up layers of colour to add depth, texture and light.

Watch Here:

Reference photo:

https://unsplash.com/photos/close-up-photo-of-ladybird-perching-on-stem-covered-with-water-droplet-igQx3ETkKZY

Thank you so much to everyone who joined me for last night’s art session. I have just uploaded the recording, so if you missed it or want to revisit that calming, creative flow – it’s ready for you now.

Watch Here:

I really want to say thank you for the lovely feedback you shared at the end. So many of you said how meditative the class felt. Some of you told me you completely zoned out and forgot about the world around you, which honestly made me smile. That peaceful feeling is exactly what I hope to bring into your homes with these sessions.

We focused on soft, abstract shapes and slow, repetitive patterns – a bit like painting your own dreamscape. I used a mix of watercolours, fineliners and my trusty gold pen, but you’re welcome to use whatever materials you have. The joy of this class is that…