Course Description

A visual journal is a place to explore creativity and record the world around you.  They have the personality of their creators and can be a therapeutic place where you can do whatever you choose and make your own rules. During the course you will be introduced to the basics of keeping a visual journal: how to pick a book and which materials to use.

There will be a series of exercises through-out the day where you can explore different ways to make a visual journal interesting. Each one will be and activity which you can use as a springboard for your own creative expression.

You will begin by creating a simple pop-up where you can add drawn, written and collage elements to create a record of the event. Instant colour and black and white cameras will be provided to generate additional images.

Next, you will experiment with a pen & nib and dipping ink to make lines and shade. You can also copy some small pen & ink drawings. Resources will be provided or explore your own subject matter.

There will be a session of in-situ drawing using different media. Other elements can be added including decorative headings, notes or photographs.

The final session will be experimenting with typographic effects to make headings and body copy more of a feature. Resources will be provided and examples for inspiration, with an activity to make a word using different materials for each letter.

There will be an opportunity as the workshops draw to a close, to go back over previous pages in your sketchbook and add elements such as headings, collage, stuck in ephemera etc to finish the pages to record information and add even more visual interest. You will go home with a visual journal record of the day.

Suitable For

This course is suitable for beginners or improvers alike.

Requirements List

• Drawing materials and water colour paints are provided but participants are welcome to bring their own materials
• Sketchbook with thick cartridge pages, or a favourite journal if you have one
• Reference drawing or photo to copy

Materials cost

There will be a charge of £10 to cover the cost of all materials listed below. This is payable directly to the tutor.

• Drawing materials: pencil, pencil sharpener, rubber, ruler, scissors and a glue stick will be provided for each participant
• Paper and card for pop ups and ink drawings
• Drawing inks and dip pens
• Paper/ephemera resources for collage
• Paint pens
• Black fine liners
• PVA glue/ spreaders and pots
• 2 instant photographs and a few black and white thermal camera printed images

There will be sketchbooks available to buy on the day if needed. There is an A5 casebound cartridge paper book for £7 or an A5 blank exercise style book for £4,