Joy Filled Flowers:
Mixed Media Sketchbook
Watch this video, A joyful peek inside the class:
One off payment
Make joy your art style.
A mixed media sketchbook class that teaches you to loosen up, trust your instincts and let joy lead your creativity. Led by award-winning artist Helen Wells (author of Expressive Sketchbooks, 2020), who has taught thousands of students how to find joy through thier sketchbook practice.
Throughout the class, I’ll be sharing wisdom, knowledge, and key art principles to help you feel more confident and intentional in your creative choices. I focus on teaching processes and techniques that will help you loosen up and develop your own expressive style. With step-by-step approaches, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to create freely and joyfully.
Make art that feels like you.
Abstract &
semi-abstract
We’ll explore abstract and semi-abstract approaches to capturing a bunch of flowers, mixing materials, layering media and techniques. Finding beauty in our own creations. This is a class which teaches creative freedom, loosening up, trusting your instincts, and playing with color and composition in your sketchbook in exciting ways.
If you collect sketchbooks… but rarely fill them
Playful
possibilities
Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a curious beginner, this course is bursting with playful possibilities to help you develop abstract and semi abstract mixed media art in your sketchbook all inspired by a bunch of flowers.
Do you long to create
with a sense of freedom?
If your sketchbook feels more like pressure than play. You’re not alone. So many creatives crave freedom on the page, but end up second guessing every mark.
Joy Filled Flowers invites you to unlearn perfection, loosen your grip and reconnect with the simple joy of making art that feels like yours.
Student feedback
I have just finished your brilliant course. I loved it, and it really helped me dive into creating. It was such a joy filling pages with experiments and playful ideas. I haven't created art in a free way like this, maybe ever, as I've always been hung up on creating something perfect. The sketch book I have started filling in this course is full of happiness and I'm excited to keep creating in this free manor. I will definitely revisit these videos again as they are so full of information.
Sophie
Student feedback
This has been one of my favorite classes ever! Loved your joyful and exuberant style of teaching along with all the great learnings. I don't often return to workshops but know that I will with yours. Thank you so much!!
Ellen
The 11 instant access videos are over three hours in total, but the processes and techniques shared in this class will fill many more hours and easily a whole sketchbook. This class is designed to be generative to give you lots of ideas, inspiration and techniques to make your own.
Here’s what is included in this class:
In this class you’ll learn how to fill a sketchbook full of beautiful mixed media, semi-abstract art inspired by a vase of flowers.
In the 11 videos, over three hours in total, I will share step-by-step techniques, practical wisdom and actionable theory. English subtitles are available for each video.
I will guide you through a comprehensive and joy filled process of seeking inspiration, developing your own unique approach and mixing materials to create a stunning mixed media sketchbook full of art which feels personal and unique to you.
This course will cover:
How to let go of perfection and enjoy the creative process in your sketchbook
Playful techniques and demonstrations to bring energy and life to your floral still lifes
Mixed media techniques using drawing, watercolor, ink, gouache, and collage
Composition, colour, and key design principles to create dynamic, balanced pages
How to apply the principles of design to your art
Simple colour exercises to tune into your colour preferences
How other artists have been inspired by a vase, jug, or bunch of flowers
Ways to read and reflect on other artists’ work as a way to understand your own artistic wisdom
Ways to interpret your own art to help improve it and make creating more joyful
Ways to explore composition, design and how to generate a stack of ideas quickly
The best types of paint and art supplies to use in a sketchbook
A mixed media sketchbook practice that sparks joy and inspiration every day
Processes, approaches, and techniques to help you loosen up and experiment freely
Step-by-step methods to guide you through each stage of creating expressive, joyful art
Generative and fun drawing exercises and advice
Mixed media art demonstrations using watercolour, ink, gouache, collage, felt tip pens and coloured pencils
How to go about creating a mixed media sketchbook page from start to finish
Lots of sketchbook ideas and ways to generate your own approach and style
The emphasis of this class is on experimentation, discovery and play.
This class is jam packed full of insight,
ideas and inspiration.
This class is for you:
If you want to trust your creative instincts and not question every move.
Crave mixed media freedom, not a copy and paste recipe.
Desire a sketchbook that is joyful, bold and entirely your own
At a glance:
A series of 11 instant access video lessons guiding you step by step. English subtitles are available.
Brief notes with each class to summarise key points
Practical exercises designed to build confidence and flow
Creative prompts to spark ideas and keep you inspired
A fresh, joy-filled perspective on developing your sketchbook practice
Access duration
Students will have two years of access to the course from the date of purchase. This allows plenty of time to revisit lessons, refine techniques, and continue exploring joy-filled sketchbook pages at your own pace.
How this class works
Once you have signed up you will receive a link to our classroom with instant access to the whole course. It is hosted here on my website. You are able to log in at any time from my website.
You decide upon your own password and will have access to all the content immediately.
This means you can work through it at a pace which feels just right to you; you can binge watch it, watch it over a number of days, or come back and dip in to re-visit and re-watch it as you like, when you like.
You will have complete access to all content for TWO YEARS
Student feedback
“Thank you for this class Helen. I watched from start to finish in one sitting and can’t wait to revisit the lessons whilst working on my own creations. I love your teaching style and your lessons and videos make me feel as if I am making art with a supportive friend and buddy.”
Reinete
This class is not for you if:
You want to know exactly how something will turn out before you have started creating it
You want to copy an instructor. I will provide clear instructions, but as we are using our own starting points, this is not the type of class where you just copy exactly what I’m doing and we all make art that looks the same.
If abstract or semi-abstract art is not your thing
If you are looking to create representational flowers or drawings
If a messy or unpredictable outcome puts you off
If experimentation doesn’t appeal
If the idea of experimental drawing and experimental painting sounds too daunting. But do note this class does not require you to be ‘good’ at drawing, this class is designed to help develop your skills in a playful way.
If you want bespoke and personalized feedback on your work
If you want a Facebook Group or community support, this class does not come with a group.
This class may not be right for you:
A sketchbook is not about getting it right. It’s about feeling right as you create.
Suggested materials
This is a mixed media, semi-abstract class. The class has been designed to encourage joy filled experimentation, improvisation and using the supplies you already have. We will be doing lots of drawing, collaging, painting. None of the exercises are prescriptive in terms of using the exact materials and brands that I demonstrate. Most of the exercises are very adaptable and flexible. The hope is that it will encourage you to explore the materials you may already own:
Sketchbook. I use a Fabriano Venezia Book sketchbook 200gsm or 90lbs, size 9 inches x 12 inches and a Stillman & Birn sketchbook from its Zeta range in this class which has 270gsm paper. As we will be using paint and collage a sketchbook that can take some mixed media is needed.
A Ranger Dylusions Art Journal is also a good option as is an Art Creations Sketchbook from Talens (although this sketchbook doesn’t love watercolour).
Loose paper for collage and sticking into your sketchbook
Paper glue and scissors
Coloured drawing materials such as coloured pencils and waterbased felt tip pens or markers
Watercolour paint and brushes
Matte paint such as gouache or acrylic gouache
One or two colours of acrylic ink such as FW ink from Daler Rowney
Student feedback
This was an outstanding class. I like the specific and bite-sized lessons that encourage us to enjoy the process, pay attention to what we like, and play. This class has brought me much joy!
Tacy
If you’re not satisfied with Joy Filled Flowers for whatever reason, you're covered by my no questions asked 14 day 100% money-back guarantee. I want you to feel completely confident in joining this class and if it’s not right for you, you can have a refund.
14 day money-back promise
Payment and currency information
The class costs £58. You can pay via credit card, debit card, or PayPal. The currency of my store is British Pounds (GBP), but the class is available to anyone worldwide.
I have been lucky enough to welcome students to my classes from America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and beyond.
If you are paying in a currency other than GBP, the conversion rate will be handled by your payment provider (i.e., PayPal or your card issuer).
I am an award-winning full-time artist who has taught thousands of students. I am the author of Expressive Sketchbooks: Developing Creative Skills, Courage and Confidence, published by Quarry Books in 2020. I am passionate about helping others develop their creativity and advance their art skills. My greatest hope is that I can help inspire and encourage others to find their own creative voice through experimentation and using a sketchbook.