Makings and Musings Community

Hi lovely creatives,

I have just uploaded a new video into the community library that I think some of you might really enjoy. I have already shared it in the Courses and Sketchbook group, but I wanted to pop it in here as well in case you missed it.

In this video, I chat through a few different brush techniques for watercolour painting and demonstrate ways of keeping your paintings feeling open, loose, and full of air and movement. I talk a little about leaving white space in your artwork and allowing the paper to breathe rather than filling every corner. I also show how you can use your brush in different ways to create texture, expressive marks, and softer, more flowing paintings.

It is quite a relaxed and chatty little lesson, and I hope it feels encouraging if you sometimes struggle with overworking your paintings or making them feel…

This was such a joyful, colourful class, and I am really glad I can still share it with you, even if the recording is a little different this time.

Just a quick note before you begin: this session was recorded through Zoom rather than my usual setup, as I ran into a rather classic “full hard drive” moment. So the quality is slightly lower than you might be used to from me. That said, the heart of the class, the teaching, and the atmosphere are all very much there, and I truly think it is worth watching.

You can find the recording in the library - its the first video in the Pastel and Crayon folder: Here.

In this session, I guide you through creating loose, vibrant floral pages inspired by spring flowers. We explore a range of materials, including soft pastels, oil pastels, and wax crayons, and I show…

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.

Watch Here:

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.

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

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 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:

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…

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.

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

Grab a material to draw blobs with, and something for details.

I used a marker for the large shapes and a pencil for the lines.

and don't forget to share your drawings in the homework group- I love o see your creations!

Homework group

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 #florals #illustration #drawing #watercolours #sketchbook #mixedmedia #Crayons #Inktense #flower #draw

The materials I am using are:

• gouache

• watercolour paper

• a sketch pencil

• water, a cloth, brushes and palette

Burnishing is a colour pencil drawing technique that creates soft blends and smooth textures. In this session I show you how I use it to create this drawing of a balloon puppy.

Watch yesterdays live session back now and sketch along!

This is the pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/makingsandmusings/pins/

Hi my creatives,

I have created another step by step tutorial for you.

I love snow drops as they have a special meaning for me. The first ones are just starting to pop up in my garden and I really wanted to include them in a drawing this week.

I did not add any text to the tutorial this week as I think it speaks for itself.

Start with light lines and slowly add more details.

We are painting a tree landscape today!

Grab your watercolour paint of gouache, a brush, palette and cloth and join in!

Today, I invite you to get creative with spring florals.

I created a video tutorial that shows step by step how I create these spring florals in watercolour markers.

This design makes a great postcard!

I am super curious to hear what you think of this drawing exercise and I would love to see your creations. Make sure to upload some pictures of your drawings in the creative community gallery.