Sketching in the Cotswolds

Ah, another splendid weekend of sketching, creation, and friendly chatter!

Colin and I, as usual, had a comedy of errors with our travel plans. Colin’s adventure started at 6am in a car par, 9am on a plane, followed by a six-hour jaunt around Cheltenham, culminating in a posh tea at McDonald's.

I finally arrived to rescue him, and we zoomed off to meet the rest of the crew. Friday night kicked off with a relaxing drink, sketches, and Colin’s first of many ‘artsy’ photos. It was a chance to connect with both new and familiar faces, and to discover that 'The Willow' in Bourton is 'just OK'.

After a quick drive back to our base camp, a supermarket dash, and a nap, we were up at the crack of dawn. Our mission? Setting up the charming Lower Slaughter village hall for an epic weekend of sketching.

Coffee was our top priority, so we got that brewing straight away. Colin was busy capturing more ‘artsy’ shots while Toby tried (and failed) to look nonchalant.

And then, the magic began! We kicked things off with creative ice-breakers—a happy giraffe, an evil duck, and Colin’s amusing struggle with a kitchen timer. These warm-ups loosened everyone up and set a playful tone for the weekend.

Colin and Toby swapped painting styles, and everyone jumped in to try their hand at both. The morning flew by in a flurry of creativity.

Lunch was quick, and then we hit the Cotswolds for some en plein air action. The beauty of the landscape was inspiring, even a bit overwhelming. But soon, everyone was deeply immersed in finding and framing their perfect scene.

Evening brought us to the pub for a pint (Guinness Zero, of course) and some tasty grub (the Old New Inn is fantastic!). After another drive and quick nap, it was back to the grind at 6am.

Day two started with coffee and brioche, and we dove into outdoor sketching. Each session began with a challenge—quirky landscapes, perspective-rich village squares, and lively coffee stalls. Creativity was in full swing as everyone embraced the challenges and found their own artistic voice.

Lunch came and went unnoticed, as everyone was too absorbed in their work. Before we knew it, it was time to wrap up. Hugs, tears, and shared excitement filled the room as we admired each other’s artwork.

We said our goodbyes with a promise to meet again soon. Until next time, keep those pens filled, pans ready and water brushes in hand!

If you want to join us on future weekends then just check out THIS LINK where all the in person courses are listed!