Nature Sketch Walks

My nature sketch walks are particularly suitable for festivals and community gatherings because it works so well across all ages.  I’m interested in ways that the different generations can play together and find ways to learn from one another. With drawing, no particular age group is ‘better than’ another one and we can all encourage and inspire each other (…ok yes the 3 year olds are always best but the rest of us are still good!). Everyone brings their own sketchbook and art materials (something handy like colouring pencils are great for on the go!) and we take a walk and tune into nature. I move around the group to encourage people and make sure everyone is getting into the flow of looking and drawing. It becomes a really relaxing time together and sometimes I get a chance to show off my wildflower/tree/bird identification knowledge…at some point we all get over-excited about a tiny insect or an extra nice flower…  It’s a fun and gentle to bring people together and connect to nature.

National Heritage Week in Meath 2024

Trim in County Meath is a beautiful medieval heritage town with a stunning castle built in 1172. I was invited by the Heritage and Biodiversity section of Meath County Council to lead a wildflower sketch walk there as part of Heritage Week. Our walk started in the library and wandered along the beautiful river Boyne with the Castle in the background. Beside us was the one remaining gate ruins – one of five entry points to the walled medieval town. And next to that was the Yellow Steeple – the tallest medieval building still standing in Ireland. And that was before we even got to the wildflowers! We got an hour and twenty-five minutes of sun for our hour and a half workshop – yes there was heavy rain for the last five minutes but we all sheltered under trees. There was a lovely group of children and adults and we were surrounded by lots of interesting flowers and structures to examine and draw. Here are some photos from the day by Barry Cronin.

Leitrim Organic Centre Sketch Walk May 2024

I hosted a super-chilled nature drawing workshop in the beautiful surroundings of The Organic Centre in Rossinver, North Leitrim on May 18th 2024 as part of the National Biodiversity Week. It was so nice for everyone to come together and draw – I started with some simple drawing exercises to warm up then we had a little wander and drew whatever took our fancy – we let the kids show us the way in terms of free flowing creativity :). This one was extra special as I was back in my home county – some of my family and friends were in attendance and I made new friends too that I’ll hopefully meet again at my next workshops.