30. Weekly Round Up!
Sketching a journal page, museum adventures, and inspiring finds
Daily Journal Sketching in Action
Watch me sketch a journal page!
There's something oddly satisfying about turning my morning smoothie into a sketch subject. Today I'm sharing a little process video where I illustrate my daily blueberry smoothie recipe in my sketchbook journal - complete with all the messy, real-time decision making that goes into these everyday sketches.
I used my Pentel brush pen for the initial sketching because I didn’t want to get into complicated details (and I love how expressive these are) and added quick and simple watercolour washes in my Seawhite of Brighton watercolour sketchbook. Nothing fancy, just documenting the simple steps: blueberries, banana, yogurt, milk, blend, enjoy!
The process is pretty relaxed - I always remind myself there is no pressure to create masterpieces, just capture a moment and a routine that I do most mornings.
I think food illustration is a great subject for art journaling practice. There's always something to draw in the kitchen, and it's a great way to practice shapes, colours!
Do you sketch everyday moments and things? I'd love to hear what find their way into your art journals.
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery Adventure
Sketching inspiration in the city
Last Bank Holiday, my husband and I planned a child-free day out in Bristol. The agenda: Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, lunch, and soaking up some cultural city vibes. However, after a long slog up a big hill, we arrived to find the museum closed on Mondays! Typical. We still had a lovely day together, but I vowed to return—definitely not on a Monday.
Last week I got my chance when my husband had a morning meeting in Bristol. I'd take the train up, explore the museum, and we'd meet for lunch afterwards. The museum was thankfully open, but the entire city was absolutely rammed with students visiting for university open days (that explained the standing-room-only train journey!).
I'd heard good things about the museum but hadn't researched what was actually there, beyond knowing they had an extensive ceramics collection and a Japanese ceramics exhibition. Since I'm obsessed with Japanese art, this seemed like the perfect excuse for a visit.
I'd hoped to sketch while there, but with limited time and my determination to see everything, I didn't manage it. Next visit, I'm planning to linger longer in specific rooms—especially the natural history sections—and sketch rather than trying to tick off every gallery in one go.
The ancient Egyptian collection was amazing. Seeing the intricate artwork on sarcophagi up close and learning about their beliefs around the afterlife was fascinating. The Japanese ceramics were equally beautiful—I was completely drawn to the delicate linework on the florals and dragons. Plus, spotting a Renoir and other wonderful pieces in the gallery was the perfect cherry on top.
Definitely worth a visit if you're ever in Bristol—just check it's not a Monday first!
This Week's Sketchbook Pages
Daily practice roundup
In this week's comics class with
we explored ink techniques for our comic practice. We had the option to interpret a poem about Rackwick in the Orkneys by poet George Mackay Brown—perfect for me since I love working with wild landscapes!
I'm also trying to maintain my sketching practice during a particularly hectic period. It keeps me sane, so it's non-negotiable, but finding time can be tricky. Quick sketches like this morning one—done before heading out on the school run—are perfect for those squeezed moments. No pressure, just a chance to play with materials. In this case, I was testing out a new Woody colour pencil from a small set I picked up at Cass Art during my Bristol trip!
Links I Loved This Week
100 Days of Diary Comics by
What a brilliant recap of completing a 100-day diary comic challenge! Joanna shares honest insights about the ups and downs of maintaining daily creative practice, plus some really practical tips for anyone considering their own challenge. I love how she breaks down what worked, what didn't, and how the process evolved over time. This has definitely planted a seed in my mind about attempting my own 100-day comic journey—though I'm slightly terrified by the commitment!
Combining Urban Sketching and Comics by Drewscape
This video was a total lightbulb moment for me! Drewscape demonstrates how to use comic-style panels and storytelling techniques to capture scenes and daily life on location. It's such a clever approach that goes beyond traditional urban sketching by adding narrative elements and sequential storytelling. Watching this made me realize how perfectly this technique would work for diary comics—capturing not just what you see, but the story of your day as it unfolds. Definitely bookmarking this for future reference!
And finally…
I always love sitting down to write this newsletter and realising what an amazing week of creativeness I’ve had! From finally getting to Bristol Museum (on the right day this time!) to exploring new ink techniques in comics class, I'm reminded how much inspiration comes from simply showing up and being open to what unfolds. Even those quick morning sketches before the school run feel rewarding when life gets busy—they're little moments of creativity that keep me grounded.
I'm excited to dive deeper into some of the ideas that sparked this week. The lightbulb moment about combining urban sketching with comic storytelling has me itching to try it out, and I'm seriously considering that 100-day diary comic challenge (though I might need to work up the courage first!). There's also a return trip to Bristol Museum on the cards—this time with sketchbook in hand and a plan to linger in those natural history rooms.
Art tip of the week: Don't underestimate the power of micro-sketching sessions. Those 5-minute morning sketches or quick doodles between tasks add up to something meaningful over time. It's not about creating masterpieces—it's about keeping your creative muscles moving.
I'd love to know: what's been inspiring your creative practice lately? Have you tried any challenge-based projects, or do you prefer the freedom of unstructured sketching? Drop me a line—I always enjoy hearing about your artistic adventures!
Keep sketching,
I loved your Rackwick scenes Emma - and you should definitely do the 100 day diary comic challenge!