Learn how to create this cheery spring camping scene. Sketchbooks at the ready
It’s Friday Sketchbook Club time. We’ve teamed up with illustrator Jennie Maizels to bring you a sketchbook project to do every Friday for the next few weeks. We hope you enjoy them. Today we’re drawing this very jolly camping scene.
Jennie started Sketchbook Club because she believes that anyone can draw. Her principle is that if we treat art like any other creative pastime and follow simple instructions, just like a recipe, we would all be drawing as much as we are baking, sewing and knitting.
Each module comes with instructions, a ‘How to’ video, reference material and often, templates which you can ‘transfer’. They have been carefully designed to suit all ages and abilities. A note on materials: the projects were originally designed to introduce a plethora of different paints, collage and methods but all can be altered to use what you have available. Just substitute as you like or need.
Ready to draw the Camping scene? Then we’ll begin. You can watch the Camping video tutorial here and find the river template you’ll need here along with the camping ‘references’. Alternatively, you can just follow the instructions below, using the picture above as inspiration,
You will need
A sheet of A4 green paper or card
Biro
Gluestick
HB pencil
Set of gouache paints
One thin and one larger paintbrush (Jennie used a size 1 and a size 6)Colouring pencils
How to draw your Camping scene
Start by placing the river template over your green card and draw over very firmly with a biro pen, this will leave an indentation of the lines of the river. Next, carefully tear along these lines on the green card. Stick each side down into your sketchbook using a glue stick.
2 .Next, have a good look at the reference and roughly sketch out your first tent, caravan or Teepee. You might like to transfer some of the more difficult items, such as cars and camper-vans.Do this by drawingover the whole of the chosen image with a firm HB pencil. Turn the paper over and position the car/caravan etc.onto your page and scribble over the back with a lead pencil firmly, making sure it doesn’t move around too much.
3. Using Gouache paints and a size one brush, start to add colour. Continue this way until your page is peppered with campers.
4. You can add details with coloured pencils now or later.
5. Add trees as you go, some behind campers and some in front. Really look at the reference and experiment with some of the more stylized shapes, again, adding pencil for detail later if you wish.
6. Finally, add little coloured pencil blue wavy lines in the river.
There are many more modules available on Jennie’s website, Sketchbook Club (only £4 each.), where you can also buy art kits and supplies. For more inspiration, you can follow Jennie on Instagram @jenniemaizels or visit the website jenniemaizels.com. Look out for another Friday Sketchbook Club project with Jennie here next week.
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