Our Programmes

Sketchbooking

25th May 2025

Facilitator: Emma Leyfield

A day dedicated to the art of looking, you’ll take in the beautiful grounds at Hawkwood and spend the day painting. Students will start off sketching under birdsong, in the kitchen-gardens, before some detailed experiments in mixing colours in watercolour and a spectacular two course lunch. One-one guidance will take away fear of the blank page; this class is the perfect launch to start a regular journal or sketchbook practice.

Event time: 25th May 2025 9:30am - 4:00pm

Interested in spreading the cost of this course? Select Clearpay at checkout.

What Is Included

For the majority of our courses, both residential and non-residential rates are available. Residential options are fully inclusive with all meals provided. Non-residential options include suppers, lunches and all refreshments and exclude B&B. Some of our short day courses, events and talks do not include meals and refreshments. For more details about this course, please see the Practical Information section below.

Additional Activities

Mindful walking through our woodland trails
Meditate in our Woodland Sanctuary
Go on a hike and explore the Cotswolds AONB
Discover surrounding charming market towns

At a Glance

On location drawing
Tution on mixing colours in Watercolour
Start your sketchbook and keep it going at home
Delicious two-course lunch and refreshment breaks included

What You Will Gain

The confidence to keep painting
Tricks and tips for drawing
An introduction to watercolours

Booking Options

DayDay delegate rate

£120.00

Interested in spreading the cost of this course? Select Clearpay at checkout.

Sketchbooking Tutors

Emma Leyfield

More about Sketchbooking

Many of us aspire to keep a regular sketchbook, journal or diary but it's deceptively hard to get started, let alone stick to. This workshop is a day where you can put your inhibitions, distractions and procrastination aside to start your sketchbook. We will spend the day drawing and painting onsite, experimenting with materials and creating a response to the breathtaking space at Hawkwood.

Guidance and tuition on drawing will be available for those who want it, while advanced students will have the opportunity to explore their own ideas. All will start their own sketchbook and come away with the confidence and inspiration needed to establish a lasting habit.

Practical Information

All materials are included in this class. Provided for use on the day are: Watercolours
Brushes
Pens
Pencils
Charcoal
You're welcome to bring any other materials with you that you'd like to experiment with, provided that they're suitable for small scale sketchbook work (oil paints would not be suitable, for example). You'll each be provided with an A5 sketchbook to take home.

Please bring shoes and clothing suitable for walking/sitting/drawing outside. A bit of drizzle won’t put us off but in case of torrential rain you may like to bring some photographs of your own environment - home, garden, landscapes or holidays - to draw from with guidance from Emma. These can be on a phone/tablet or print out.

This class is suitable for complete beginners looking for an introduction to drawing/painting techniques and some direction. To get the most out of this class, students will be open to the challenges involved with learning a new skill while inspired to draw and record the world around them.

Arrivals from 9:15am for a 9:30am start

Emma is a gifted teacher - as well as being a very pleasant person who made the sessions so enjoyable as well as productive.

Previous Participant

About Hawkwood

Hawkwood is a stunning Grade Il listed 19th Century country house, surrounded by 42 acres of sustainably managed woodland, farmland, and gardens. Set in the heart of the Cotswolds - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - it is a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. With a diverse selection of nearly 150 courses, there's plenty to choose from, including courses in transformative leadership, future thinking, inner life, music and the arts.

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