I have found myself getting frustrated, recently, that I don’t get much time to work in my sketchbook.  I have two small children who are 5 and 2.  We are out and about in the woods, at the allotment, by the river – places I’d really love to be sketching – but I rarely get the chance to sit and draw in those locations.  Life is very full. I know that the small-children part of life is just a season, and one that is passing all too quickly, but it is one I’d really like to record in my sketchbook.  I just absolutely love sketchbooking, it gives me so much comfort and satisfaction.  Sketchbooking grounds me in the landscape around me and in the rhythm of the seasons.

So, instead of feeling frustrated, I realised I needed a mindset-shift. Sketching doesn’t need to be something I do solo, in perfect peace.  I decided to start a Sketchbook Club with the kids.  I got them basic sketchbooks, packed some drawing materials into my backpack, some plastic bags to sit on, and some snacks (most importantly) and off we went.    So far (early days, mind) it has been a lovely success.  Sometimes they both draw, sometimes one of them.  When my 5-year-old settles down to draw, he can concentrate for ages.  He has filled a whole book already!  My 2 year old likes to dole out the crayons, scribble in my book, and bobble about making up stories with pine cones as dolls.  

The most successful drawing material I’ve found so far is watercolour crayons.  I think having good materials is half the battle – the kids get good results, quickly.  I let them use my nice Caran D’ache watercolour crayons and coloured pencils.  I’m trying to teach them to look after them, and I am trying to teach myself to be less precious.  The watercolour crayons can be used dry or wet.  We have dipped them or our paint brushes in the river.

The most successful snacks are the ones that take a while to eat! 

This enthusiasm for Sketchbook Club might be a brief blip, but I’ll take the win while I can!  

Here’s some of my sketchbook pages from our expeditions: