A seasonal programme of drawing, painting and printmaking days in the Scottish Borders.
What to expect
This Summer our objective is simple: shake off inhibitions to enjoy working outside.
Getting outside with your sketchbook is one of the most rewarding things you can do as an artist and one of the easiest to put off.
This is the your time to try it.
Upcoming Dates
Saturday 9th May 2026Saturday 23rd May 2026- Saturday 20th June 2026- *Just 2 places left*
- Sunday 9th August 2026
- Sunday 23rd August 2026
I’ll guide you through a series of warm-up exercises to encourage looser mark-making, responding directly to the landscape around us. With each drawing we’ll spend a little longer, like Couch to 5K, but for sketching.
Working with Indian ink, charcoal and large format paper, we’ll use our tools to free ourselves up and learn to see every ‘mistake’ as a mark worth making. Breaking for lunch we’ll resume our day choosing something to look longer at or spend time re-visiting different exercises, it’s up to you. I’ll be there to help you work it out.
By the end of the day you’ll have an armful of drawings to take home to inspire and inform. A reminder of a day spent exploring your capabilities in the beautiful Scottish Borders countryside.
Who
No previous experience is necessary simply be willing to have a go.
I’m Verity, a painter based in the Scottish Borders whose work is rooted in this landscape. I want to share this with you.
This Creative Day Workshop is for you if you want to learn confidence in working outside and have fun. I am a practising artist whose work always begins with a walk and sketching before heading back into my studio.
Details
Set in the picturesque Scottish Borders village of Yetholm I’ll provide all the art materials and guidance you need.
Bring a seat pad, kneeler, or camping stool if you’d prefer not to stand. Dress as you would for an outdoor walk — layers, sturdy shoes, a waterproof and a hat. Unless the weather turns truly torrential, we’ll be outside.
Meet on the green outside the Community Shop for 10:30am.
We’ll be moving over uneven ground and riverside terrain during the day. If you have any mobility needs or would find it helpful to discuss the location in advance, please get in touch before booking — I’m happy to talk through what works best for you.
Bring a packed lunch and water bottle, or pick up something from the village shop or deli.
Day ends at 3pm. You are welcome to stay and continue to draw or repair to one of the two local pubs before heading home.
To book or find out more, get in touch by email or phone. A deposit of £25 secures your place, with the balance due on the day.
If you need to cancel, please let me know as soon as possible. Deposits are non-refundable within two weeks of the event date, but I’ll always do my best to offer an alternative date where I can. In the unlikely event I need to cancel, you’ll receive a full refund.
Places are limited to four — £65 per person, all materials provided.
What people say
about my workshops
“Thank you for an interesting and fun day.
It was great to try the different exercises, materials and techniques. It really loosened up my painting, improved my observation and gave me a lot of hints on scale and perspective. They will, I’m sure help me next time I try a landscape drawing or painting.”
Eleanor, Scottish Borders
“Verity’s workshop re-introduced me to an area I know well but had never attempted to draw before. In fact I’ve never attempted landscape before but her guidance helped me loosen up and just enjoy looking and drawing with no pressure.”
S J Ford, Scottish Borders