Hello friend,
I hope you’re doing well and feeling inspired as we kick off the new year—happy 2025!
Last month, I’ve been thinking about something simple yet magical: a square. I know it might sound a little cliché, but there’s something special about working within such a basic shape that has made me look at it in a new way.
A Shape, a Moment, and a Drawing
I usually make detailed art, adding layer after layer of little things. But sometimes, the overall composition can get a bit lost, and I’ve realized I could work on that. One way to improve your composition is by limiting the shape you work with. For example, you could fill a rectangle, but you can also try other shapes, like a circle or triangle.
Since nature is full of round shapes and not many straight edges, I decided to challenge myself by making everything fit into a square in my sketchbook. Just simple, quick ideas to jot down. At first, I found that a small square was hard to fill with details, so I switched to a bigger rectangular sketchbook and tried all sorts of things. It was still tricky, but fun!
You can see me working in my sketchbook in the vlog video.
What was unrecorded in this vlog was me getting soaked through by rain 12 times and a stomach flu hitting our family around the 30th of December, but I thought it was best to leave that out ;)
Upcoming Drawing Session: Boxed Botanicals
So, for our next drawing session, I invite you to join me in the challenge to stretch our creativity and try something new: incorporating beautiful botanical elements into geometric shapes! Whether you choose a square, triangle, or circle, we’ll explore how to blend nature with clean, geometric lines. This session will focus on experimenting, learning, and having fun with art. There’s no pressure—just an opportunity to try something different and find inspiration! I will share tips on how to bend your mind and pencil around different shapes, as well as how to feel less intimidated by altering a reference image.
If you’re a paid member, be on the lookout for the reference photos soon. And if you’re not yet subscribed, now is the perfect time to join us 😉
Our live sessions in January are:
🌸🟩🌹🟧 Boxed botanicals - Thursday 16th of December at 20:00 (8PM) CEST A drawing session where we challenge ourselves to fit botanical elements into a geometrical shape.
SIGN UP HERE
🎨✂️🖼️👩🏻🦰 Petal and Paint : Sketch, Bloom, Create - Thursday 23rd of January at 20:00 (8PM) CEST Let’s paint together! A relaxed co-sketching session. I will show my work overhead. To celebrate the new year, this drawing session is for all members 🥰
SIGN UP HERE
Please use this time zone converter to find the times in your area: www.worldtimebuddy.com
Missed our meetings or videos?
No worries, paid members can catch up with the videos below.
We enjoyed a relaxed and cozy drawing session focusing on winter textures. I love what
created during the session, using a fan brush for texture. And that sparrow 😍
Mini Drawing Challenge: Botanical Circle
Pick a circle and fit one botanical element (like a leaf, flower, or vine) inside. Try to fill the circle with the plant, by making it fill the entire space or by adding details that make the plant feel balanced within the shape.
Keep it simple—focus on how the plant fits into the circle, and let the geometry guide your design!
Art Retreat in Eifel region, Germany!
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be hosting a 3-day art retreat in the beautiful Eifel region of Germany this September! 🌿
During this immersive retreat, we’ll explore the art of drawing and painting plants and flowers. Surrounded by the stunning native flora of the Eifel, I’ll guide you through techniques to capture their true essence while helping you develop your own unique drawing style. Whether you're a beginner or experienced artist, this retreat will be a chance to deepen your connection with nature and your craft in a peaceful and inspiring setting.
All the details will be shared with my paid members first, and a few days later, I’ll send the information to everyone else. I can’t wait to share this creative experience with you!
Lovelies
Making Christmas ornaments with my kid
Blankets and tea
YouTube: Making Ink From Leaves
Book: Life Impossible by Matt Haig
Sneak peek
Sinterklaas ( Dutch Santa, he brings gifts on the 5th of Dec) spoiled me with an art toolkit palette and beautiful paints! My plan is to make the ultimate botanical paint palette, and will make a video about it.
I’ve also gifted myself some pencils because I’m always looking for the best pencils for detailed drawings, and I’ll make a video comparing all brands I have. I made a swatch page for you. Who will be the winner for best detailed drawing abilities you think? And do you have a tip for a brand? I’d love to hear it!
Until next time,
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