October Round-up

Exhibiting on a farm, publishing a new course and new framed original art

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 November.

October Stats

Wildflowers spotted: lots of berries and seeds- Cuckoo Pint, Stinking Iris, Rose hips, Bittersweet, Deadly Nightshade, Rowan, Honeysuckle

Weather: Sunshine and showers with very heavy downpours, but mild temperatures

This month I have mostly been: Exhibiting work, advertising my new course, sending out orders, meeting up with visitors and sketching on zoom.

Out and About

After such a busy few months my husband and I spent some intentional time out and about at a number of places around Cornwall to enjoy the Autumn season. We spent time at Trengwainton Garden to visit the apple orchard, squash patch and admire the changing colours of the leaves, Guy’s Butterfly House to be mesmerised by the beautiful butterflies, Roskilly’s Farm and Godrevy Cove to walk, sketch, meet friends and find mushrooms, Lower Trewern Farm to choose a couple of pumpkins for cooking some hearty meals, and Cape Cornwall, St Just and the Jackson’s Art Foundation to see the spectacular scenery, artwork and impressive exhibition space with breathtaking views. It’s been good to take an afternoon off each week and explore a bit further afield.

Swatching, sketching and drawing

I really enjoyed our October drawing sessions this month. It was our second time meeting for our Swatch and Sketch session and this time I swatched these nature coloured Stabilo highlighters inspired by Hessa sharing them in September.

The finished Calmtober prompts

During the hour I also sketched some of the Calmtober prompts which were part of an October art challenge set by

Kriksis

and enjoyed chatting with those who joined us live. If you’d like to watch the replay you can do so here:

https://melaniechadwick.substack.com/p/swatch-and-sketch-session-hang-out

We will be meeting again this month on the 7th November 6-7pm, so do join us if you’re free. I’m looking forward to swatching some new Derwent pencils that I’ve yet to try.

In the month we also met for an Autumnal draw along where we drew a range of leaves, berries, seeds. It was a mix of fast and slow paced exercises and it’s been encouraging to see the range of sketches that were produced from that session.

Sketches from Jo, Miriam, Wendi, Anne and Marie-Claire who joined live in October's draw-along

If you’d like to watch the replay you can below

Draw Autumn REPLAY

Winter Woodland Concertina Card

Coming up for our November draw-along we will be joining again with our friend

Helen C Stark

and the Time Forager’s Club and this time creating a Winter Woodland Concertina Card. We’ll be sharing a range of photo references to inspire you to create a fun woodland scene.

Details will be posted nearer the time but the date for your diary is November 15th 1-2.30pm and the link will be shared in our Subscriber chat. It will happen on zoom but will be organised through LUMA which we’ve used to schedule the event. It’s an app that allows you to see the time more easily in your timezone and you can also register if you are coming along.

All our meetings are recorded and the replays are here to view if you would like to watch or catch up at any time.

Wild Woodland Online Course

Talking of Woodland some of you may have read my post about the Wild Woodland Advent Calendar Course being ready to join so if you missed it you can find all the details here:

I share the entire process looking at the layout, theme, colour palette and illustration style. There will also be opportunity to work together on it with 2 work a-long zoom calls scheduled during November.

For a limited time the course is available as part of this year’s Art Bundles for Good. You can purchase the bundle for $99 and get access to over 90 Art courses. The offer ends on the 4th November so if you’re interested be sure to click this link to find out more. These art bundles would also make a great gift for the artist in your life.

Our Nature Inspired Exhibition Recap

At the beginning of the month my friend Kriksis and I exhibited at the Coast Colour Canvas gallery at Roskilly Farm on the Lizard peninsula. We filled the gallery with a range of artworks.

If you’d like to see more pictures and read more about it you can do so here:

I have also made a video about creating these newer pieces along with a gallery tour which you can watch here:

I was delighted to share some new framed pieces some of which are now available to purchase in the shop. If you see anything you like and would like it shipped overseas just get in touch.

A few of my new framed pieces

Open Studio Christmas Shopping Event + Gift Ideas

If you’re local and want to experience a cosy buying event then come and visit me on the 22nd of November at Lowenek Art Studio near St Martin on Trewince Farm. I’ll be selling my wares alongside Pippa’s pots and Rosenwyn Silver’s jewellery. The event will be happening from 3pm until 7.30pm.

This may be the only selling event I do this season so do pop by if you’re keen to pick up a calendar, zine or original piece of art.

There will also be opportunity to paint a decoration or design a Christmas tea-towel.

My 2025 calendar has been included in Louise Levine’s Sea and Nature inspired Gift Guide. If you’re looking for inspirational gifts for the season and to support makers and artists then this may be just the inspiration you’re looking for.

October Favourite Sketchbook Pages

This was sketched on an overcast morning walking down to my local beach. At the bottom of the lane I decided that this would be where I would set up and sketch. The sun came out for a few moments highlighting all the gorgeous ochres and browns and so guided me in the colours that I used.

Coming up for November on Substack

Here’s what I’ll be writing / sharing with you on Substack this month (P for paid and F for free)

• Process and Play video-cliffs P In this month's process and play I'll be sharing about how I sketch cliffs and we’ll look at creating textures with a range of media. The post is due to go live mid November.

• Sketchbook pages for October P

• Explore and Draw podcast Ep.19 P

• Gift ideas for Artists F

• November Roundup F

Upcoming Zoom dates

• Swatch and Sketch Session Thursday 7th November 6-7pm GMT

• Drawing Date Friday 15th November 1-2.30pm GMT

If you want to join just upgrade to paid for the month and you’ll be sent the zoom link the day before and also shared in our private chat. You’ll also be able to access all the unlocked content for the month.

You can upgrade to paid to support my work at anytime and access the growing library of posts.

And that’s all for this month! Thanks so much for reading, your support is really much appreciated.

Hope you’re staying well,