Hello friends!
How’s your week been? I hope you’re well and the sun has come out a little where you are.
Here we’re seeing magnolias blossoming and the days are getting lighter, doesn’t it make everything a tiny bit more manageable?
In the studio, I’m finalising details on my springtime still-life collection and I’ve got a title for it: Bright Hope! More on this very soon! My friend Marianne came to shoot it which was a real joy, especially since she’s witnessed its development since its conception. I LOVED watching her reaction to being in the room filled of this body of work. And, we got to hang out, sketch more tulips and eat cake!
Things I’ve loved this week:
seeing the pale pink magnolias blossoming on our neighbourhood trees
a family cycle on Saturday (first time little legs are big enough for us all to have a bike each and go at the same speed - grateful for this new chapter)
my new red cardigan from Sézane (I got a special tote bag with it and I was really impressed by the wrapping) - it matches some of the tulips I painted last week
sketching bright pink nectarine blossoms inside the glasshouse at Clumber Park (see images below)
banoffee pie (recipe coming in April gazette, with extra easter eggs)
playing monopoly on a 1972 board with such cool typography
re-watching Far From The Madding Crowd (2015)
rugby success for Ireland and Scotland in the 6 Nations matches
having Marianne over for lunch and cake and a whimsical photoshoot
Matisse book inspiration and booking my train to go see this expo in Paris
Materials Used in Today’s Spread
A variety of Caran D’Ache Neocolor 1 and 2 pastels
A variety of Prismacolor pencils
A variety of watercolour paints
Caran D’Ache FLUO 491090 (pink)
A Kaweco fountain pen for journaling
London Vlog and Sketchbook Tour
This week I also posted 2 videos, this one is free for all to watch. It’s a travel vlog from my time in London and I’ve included a sketchbook tour of all the sketches and visual journaling I did there.
Grab a coffee, this video is over 25mins long and is free for all of you!
If you missed it, Emma Carpendale and I joined up LIVE to sketch while celebrating international Women’s Day. I drew on the cover of my London sketchbook and filled up some of the gaps in the sketchbook also so that I was ready to film this travel sketchbook tour.
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As always, thanks for reading! If you’re new around here, welcome! These visual journals exist because of paid subscribers. Your support and encouragement mean so much!
The Time Foragers’ Club is an opportunity to meet, grow, celebrate the seasons and create together. This is mostly a free post for subscribers but by becoming a Time Foragers’ Club paid subscriber, you can meet up from the comfort of your home 3 times a month as we draw, create and journal together, receive a monthly video from my studio, PLUS share your artwork with our blossoming creative community in our exclusive club threads.
🍋 Carve out time to be creative with us in the club!
🍊 Catch more behind-the-scenes peeks over @helen.c.stark!
📮 Read the March Gazette, which came out on Sunday 1st March!
Don’t miss our StPatrick’s drawing session on Zoom with guest illustrator TJ Marston on Tuesday! Wear something green for a chance to win a prize!! (details in the club gazette).
See you soon! xx
