Sketchbook Studies in the Gardens: Wet & Dry Media

Spend a peaceful day drawing in the gardens of Spadina Museum in this one-day outdoor sketching workshop. Explore the creative interplay between pencil, ink, and watercolour as you capture the beauty of the apple orchards and floral gardens in full bloom from observation. Perfect for all skill levels, this immersive workshop encourages experimentation, personal expression, and a deep connection with your surroundings.

Spend a day drawing in the peaceful gardens and apple orchards of Spadina Museum, surrounded by colour, texture, and quiet beauty. Led by artist and educator Rose Montgomery-Whicher, this workshop invites you to slow down and really notice the world around you, using a mix of wet and dry media-pencils, inks, watercolours, and more. You’ll have the chance to experiment, layering pencil marks with ink washes or adding watercolour to bring your sketches to life, while enjoying the gentle rhythms of drawing outdoors.

Rose will offer guidance and encouragement as you explore both careful observation and playful mark-making, helping you discover how different materials can work together in unexpected ways. Whether you’re new to drawing or have years of experience, this is a chance to try something new, enjoy the creative process, and connect with the landscape in your own way.

Schedule

11:00 AM: Arrival and Introduction
11:15 AM: Tour of the Gardens, Drawing Warm-Ups from different Vantage Points
11:40 AM: First Drawing Session, with Instruction
12:40 PM: Lunch/Snack Break (Please bring your own refreshments)
1:10 PM: Second Drawing Session, for Independent Work with Individual Feedback
2:40 PM: Group Discussion and Reflection
3:00 PM: Workshop Concludes (and the gardens remain open until 5:00 pm)

Explore drawing with a range of wet and dry media, including pencils, ink, and watercolours.
Try out techniques like layering, blending, and combining different materials.
Practice observing and responding to the natural environment through drawing.
Experiment with both realistic and expressive approaches to capturing a scene.
Develop your own way of mixing media to create lively, personal sketches.
Enjoy the experience of drawing outdoors, connecting with your surroundings and your creativity.

A sketchbook that is easy to hold either standing or seated with mixed media paper that is a substantial weight, ‘90 lbs’ or more. Strathmore makes a series of spiral-bound sketchbooks that are ideal for working outdoors: called ‘Visual Journal’ they come in a variety of sizes and papers. Either a 5 x 8” or 9 x 12” size would be suitable, with ‘Mixed Media’ paper as it is the most versatile.
a pencil (2B or HB), eraser and sharpener
Willow charcoal
a fine black pen with permanent ink (such as Sakura Micron Pigma marker .05 or .03)
Water-soluble coloured materials: either a small (10 or12) set of watercolour pencils or Caran D’Ache ‘Neocolour2’ or Staedtler watercolour crayons (both look like crayons but are artist-quality) or Mungyo watercolour crayons or Mungyo Acquarelle oil pastels.
A ‘water-brush’ is handy for working outdoors, OR a brush with a container for water.
Paper towels or rags.
Although we will focus on drawing rather than painting, you are welcome to bring watercolour or guache paints if you are already familiar with their use.
Things to help you draw in comfort! A way to carry drawing materials that keeps them accessible, especially if you want to stand and draw; a cushion, towel or portable stool/chair to sit on, as there are few benches; a hat and a water bottle.