March Round-up

Open up for a burst of wildflower inspiration and projects that have been happening over the month

Apr 05, 2025

Dear Reader,

Welcome to my monthly catch-up.

This is where I give you an overview of what’s been going on this month and highlight any particular projects that I think will be of interest.

I will also include a favourite sketchbook spread, flowers that I see springing up on the Lizard, a comment on the weather and any thoughts on the season and at the end share with you what’s coming up for April.

March Stats

Wildflowers spotted: An abundance of Wild Primroses, Wood Anemones, Periwinkles, Alexanders, Yellow Archangel, Green Alkanet
Weather: A mix of changeable weather, windy but mostly dry with a few really mild and sunny days
This month I have mostly been: continuing work on my own book project, painting wildflowers, gathering materials for my art retreat, starting on a new client project

366 Book Project

Work continues on my 366 Postcard book project.

I spent a lot of time on it during the first half of March and one of the bigger tasks to complete was inputting all the handwritten titles which thankfully we did! Phew!

We have also accomplished laying out all the postcards and monthly spreads along with the text and I feel like we are around 70% done. Remaining tasks are mostly written copy for the intro, extra articles, contents page and illustrations for end papers, and space fillers. I also will need to have it proofread and checked.

Due to other time pressures this month, I have had to put it on hold the last couple of weeks to focus on other work commitments and also get myself ready for my upcoming art retreat which is running the 22-25th April.

However I am feeling much more positive about completing the book before the end of May and very much intend to launch my crowdfunding page where you’ll be able to pre-order the book in the next month or so.

I will make sure I let you know here on Substack when it’s ready to go and I’m looking forward to sharing more in an extended post. If you’re not subscribed please make sure to, so you can stay in the loop!

A pack of dogs

One of the client projects that I have been working on this month involves illustrating a fun map of a doggy festival which will be happening over the Summer at a number of locations around the UK. The brief includes illustrating a range of dog-themed features and making sure to include a variety of breeds.

As with most illustration projects there is always a large part of research involved in finding out about the subjects you are being expected to draw and this one has been no exception.

I thought I’d share with you some snippets of the rough sketches so you can see part of the initial process. Although the final map will be created entirely on the computer using Adobe Illustrator and look quite different to these pencil sketches I always start in this way and then import the roughs into the program to use as base to draw from.

Next month I hope to share the final illustrated map.

Wildflower Painting and Drawing

During March I definitely felt more inspired and compelled to draw wildflowers especially after our live Draw-along where we explored and drew flowers that were specific to the Lizard and the dunes of Netherlands- which is where my co-host Pauline

La Scarlatte

for the session is based.

I then went on to film a process and play video on painting wildflowers in a more loose and painterly way.

This in turn inspired me to paint more flowers in my sketchbook and particularly as I had been given some lovely fresh flowers.

Above is the painting I did following our swatch and sketch session, which was a lovely hour of being creative and I intend to create some more pieces like this featuring the wildflowers I spot around the area.

In person Sketching sessions

If you want to join me for some in person sketching sessions that will include drawing flowers and landscapes make sure to check out my Spring/Summer sketch workshops post here. Above is one of the many cakes that will be on offer at my Fat Apples Cafe sketch walk!

Where the Wildflowers Grow

Some of you may know about my wildflower course that I published last year and I thought it would be apt to share it with you here in case you are looking to get started sketching wildflowers over Easter particularly as the wildflowers begin to bloom here in the Northern Hemisphere.

I have a special offer running until the end of April with this coupon- WILDEASTER -enter it at checkout to get 25% off- valid until April 30th 2025.

Lizard Art Retreat

This will be my final plug for our Lizard Art Retreat which is running from the 22nd-25th April. I’m excited to meet with everyone and spend the time experimenting with mixed media, and creatively capturing the wild landscape around the Lizard.

There is one remaining room left with space for day guests who would like to join us for the 4 days (everything is included apart from the Bed and Breakfast).

Find out more here and you can watch the video below about the retreat itself.