Watch this video first!
Take a look inside the class ...
Class Overview
I have a challenge for you!
The challenge is to create and complete a sketchbook in a short time frame.
This could be a day, a weekend, or perhaps a week.
You will be amazed at how much momentum this builds and how freeing it is to work in a handmade sketchbook.
It's such a liberating and accessible process. Are you up for it? I hope so.
A sketchbook isn't meant to be precious! It's the ultimate place to let go, be yourself, and discover new ideas for your art.
If you have struggled to fill a sketchbook in the past, this simple approach makes it easy and enjoyable.
You don't need many supplies or much time.
In the videos, I will take you through preparing your pages, painting with total abandon, binding your book together, noticing what is coming through and adding details with collage, spray paint, pens, and more.
At the end of this class, you will feel the satisfaction of completing a sketchbook, plus you will have a handy resource to refer back to!
What is the Creative Blend Art Program?
This class is part of the Creative Blend Art Program. The CB Program is designed to help you establish a consistent art practice while digging in deep with what lights you up and makes your work unique.
The program is running from April 2022 through until March 2023.
A new class is released each month exploring a theme. From developing your style to building confidence with colour, rest assured, this is a jam-packed program!
Each class includes a rich combination of; painting videos, Q&As, art supply deep dives, guest artist interviews and so much more. All in a cosy, relatable and easy-to-digest format. You also get LIFETIME ACCESS!
Let's take a closer look at ...
Mixed Media Sketchbooks
Q & A Session
There are many sketchbooks out there and countless ways to use them!
Join me for a cosy session where I answer your sketchbook questions and talk through my approach.
This includes tips for choosing sketchbooks, examples of the different ways that sketchbooks can be used, and ideas on how to transition from your sketchbook to another substrate.
Art Supply Deep Dive
Have you ever felt frustrated by sketchbook pages curling and sticking together?
There are a few simple tips and tricks that make a big difference. In the art supply deep dive, I take you through how to strengthen, protect and seal your pages.
Painting Videos
The main painting project involves making your own sketchbook and filling it up with art ideas.
I will take you through all the steps from gathering your pages right through to binding the book together.
Inside the book we'll explore a wide range of abstract painting techniques. These techniques are wonderful for loosening up and finding creative flow.
Studio Vlog
Ready to go deeper? In the vlog, you'll see me reflecting on my sketchbook, adding notes and final details.
This is a wonderful part of the process as there are so many treasures within those pages. At the end of the video, I share a flip-through of the finished sketchbook.
As soon as I finished this one, I wanted to start another. I hope you feel the same way!
Colour Inspiration Is Everywhere!
One of my favourite ways to find colour is to create a collage using magazine snippets. In this class, I'm using one of my collages to inspire the colour palette of my sketchbook.
I encourage you to take a look around you to see if there is a colour palette that you could bring into your sketchbook. Using the same colour palette throughout your handmade book will unify the pages and reduce decision overwhelm.
If you are on a roll, you could create multiple books and explore a different colour palette in each one!
Meet Our Guest Speaker
THIS INTERVIEW WILL BOOST YOUR SKETCHBOOK CONFIDENCE!
What a treat it was to chat with Helen Wells after admiring her vibrant sketchbook work for years! In our conversation, Helen chats about the rocky start she had with sketchbooks and how she overcame this. It's very inspiring and includes practical tips for getting started, staying open, and allowing one page to lead you to the next.
Click Helen's image to learn more about her.
Grab your seat today, and elevate your life and art practice
The course is priced in USD. If you use another currency, the USD amount will be converted at the checkout by Stripe (if you are using a credit card) or by Paypal. You can get an approximation by checking the conversion rate using xe.com.
Refund Policy: Because you're giving immediate access to the class, I am unable to offer a refund. I encourage you to contact me with any questions prior to purchasing. There is a contact form in the footer of this page.
Love from past students……
Bree Edge
I don't think it is too bold of me to say that my art improved immediately. I now have people regularly asking to purchase my work, which is incredibly rewarding. These classes have helped to feed my creativity immeasurably, and I am forever hanging out for the next one!
Xueling Lee
Laura presents incredibly useful tips in a structured way, while still providing space and encouragement for students to pursue their own creative instincts. I used to think abstracts were beyond me, and thanks to Laura, I now only paint abstracts! I’ve watched all her classes literally countless times, and yet each time, I still find something new.
Gunjan Bhargava
Laura Horn is a brilliant teacher. I have taken all of her classes. They are like meditation to me and have given me skills in mixed media, abstracts, botanicals and so much more. I am waiting eagerly for her new course to begin.
I've had the joy and privilege of teaching over 25,000 students across the globe through my online classes.
Meet Laura, your teacher
Hello, I'm Laura
I'm a mixed media artist from Adelaide, South Australia. Ten years ago, I picked up a paintbrush. I had two young children, and like many mothers, I felt a little lost among all the nappies.
As soon as I reconnected with my creativity, I felt a spark. I quickly fell in love with all things art. The yummy supplies, the supportive community, and the sense of purpose and satisfaction that came from doing something I truly loved.
I followed my passion and built a beautiful, messy life around it. Things rarely went to plan, but I amazed myself with the things that I could do. From selling my work at markets and cafes to running a retreat in Bali, right through to hosting a top-rated art podcast.
Tapping into my creativity gave me clarity and confidence, and it can do this for you too.
Class Curriculum
- Introduction to Mixed Media Sketchbooks (6:05)
- Q&A: How Do You Use Sketchbooks? (30:58)
- Preventing Pages From Sticking & Buckling (14:23)
- Making Your Own Sketchbook (17:21)
- Expression Through Abstraction (24:03)
- Spray Paint, Collage & Bookbinding (19:17)
- Vlog: Finding Your Why + Finished Sketchbook Tour (10:21)
- Helen Wells Interview - Building Sketchbook Confidence (47:22)
Frequently Asked Questions...
Do I have to buy all the Creative Blend classes?
No, each class can be enjoyed as a stand-alone class. I will be releasing a class on the first day of each month for a year, beginning April 1. Each class is $37. I will be leaving the classes up on my website as instant access classes for the duration of the program. You will be able to pick and choose classes based on your creative interests.
Do I have a limited amount of time to access this program?
The course comes with lifetime access. There is no time limit so you don't need to worry about missing out. You can log into the Teachable classroom at any time to view the videos or you can download the content onto your device.
What is included and how long are the videos?
See section above to view the curriculum and video duration for this specific class.
What level is the course suitable for?
This course is suitable for anyone that has an interest in mixed media painting. The program caters for complete beginners through to more experienced artists. If you are a beginner the Art Supply Deep Dive is going to be very helpful. If you are more experienced, you might be familiar with the supplies but there will be plenty of fresh perspectives shared through the Cosy Studio Chat/Q&A, Studio Vlog and Painting Sessions.
Do I need to have all the art supplies? I'm just getting started and have a limited budget.
In the videos, you will see me using a wide variety of mixed media art supplies. I don't hold back because I want to share as many ideas and techniques as I can but I can't stress enough that you do not need everything!!
The Creative Blend Art Program is very flexible. You can substitute supplies for almost all of the lessons and I am happy to suggest alternative options.
With this in mind, there isn't a specific supply list. Instead, I have created a page on my website with all the supplies I routinely use.
My suggestion would be to watch the module first and then decide on your supply choices.
Will there be an online community for this course?
Yes, you will be invited to join the private Creative Blend Art Program Facebook Group. The Facebook Group is optional as all course content will be posted in Teachable, but if you want to share your work and ask questions, Facebook will be the main platform for participant interaction.
