Craving low-pressure, joyful art-making? Maybe it’s time to open up a sketchbook.
Many of us struggle to start or stay consistent with our art. Life gets busy. Perfection creeps in. And before you know it, months have passed without creating. A sketchbook changes that. It’s a safe, forgiving space where you can explore freely — no rules, no pressure.
This course is about rediscovering your love of art through playful sketchbook exploration — painting, drawing and layering your way back into creative flow.
Watch the Trailer to Get A Feel for the Course
A glimpse into the projects and peaceful process that will inspire your own sketchbook practice.
Join today for $50 USD (regularly $75 — save $25 with code STUDIO25).
Get instant lifetime access to all lessons when you sign up.
Please note: All courses are priced in USD.
What We’ll Explore Together
A gentle beginning: choose your sketchbook, gather colour inspiration, and create loose backgrounds using leftover paint and simple mark-making.
Simple setup: create a small, portable art kit and your own collage materials using texture, stitching, and found papers.
Creative approaches for any day: move between drawing, painting, and collage — working intuitively with whatever you have on hand.
Six complete sketchbook spreads: each inspired by nature — golden wattle, cherry blossoms, pansies, layered leaves, and more — exploring different themes and techniques.
Guidance for building a lasting habit: practical ideas to keep your sketchbook practice consistent, calm, and enjoyable even when time or energy is low.
What's Included When You Sign Up Today:
Approximately 3 hours of comprehensive content, including six full sketchbook spreads and bonus videos with extra techniques, tips, and behind-the-scenes insights. Everything is professionally edited for clarity and ease.
Lifetime access to all downloadable videos, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace.
Access to a private, password-protected classroom where you can ask questions, share your discoveries, and receive personalised feedback.
An invitation to join the Laura Horn Art Facebook Group, where you'll connect with artists from around the world, join discussions, and pick up extra tips and insights.
Why Take This Course?
Whether you’re:
- Feeling stuck or creatively drained,
- Wanting to reconnect with art after a break, or
- Craving a quiet, personal practice away from screens and expectations…
Sketchbook Sanctuary will help you rediscover your creative voice in the most gentle way possible. You’ll learn to let go of perfectionism, make friends with imperfection, and enjoy the process of simply showing up — one page, one mark, one moment at a time.
The truth is, there’s never a perfect time to start. Life will always be busy, but even a few minutes in your sketchbook can shift everything — helping you feel grounded, inspired, and reconnected with the part of you that loves to create.
If you’ve been longing to start or revive a sketchbook practice, this is your gentle invitation to begin.
What Makes This Course Special?
“I’m new to this. Will I be able to follow along?”
Yes — absolutely! In fact, a sketchbook is the perfect place to start a creative practice. It’s small, forgiving, and encourages play, making it easier to experiment without pressure. The process I share is designed to lower the stakes and help you feel comfortable making art again. Each lesson is relaxed and easy to follow, with plenty of encouragement along the way. You’ll find a full supply list inside the classroom, but you can also start with what you already have and build from there.
“How is the course structured, and is it worth the investment?”
Sketchbook Sanctuary includes approximately three hours of beautifully filmed lessons. You’ll begin by creating a variety of “entry points” throughout your sketchbook — a collage here, a botanical drawing there, a splash of colour to return to later. I’ll then show you how to take these small beginnings and nurture them into fully realised, layered sketchbook spreads.
This blend of complete demonstrations and spontaneous play will help you build a creative rhythm that lasts. You’ll be encouraged to revisit pages, layer ideas, and follow your curiosity wherever it takes you.
“I’ve taken your other classes. Is this different?”
Yes. Sketchbook Sanctuary has a slower, more reflective pace than my other courses. It’s about nurturing a kind, consistent sketchbook practice — one that supports you long after the lessons end. While peaceful in nature, it's packed with tips and techniques. You’ll explore mark-making, layering, botanical drawing, collage, and stitching, but always with a focus on process over perfection.
I've had the joy and privilege of teaching over 45,000 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. Over 10 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, licensing my art to top brands, and hosting a top-rated art podcast.
Tapping into my creativity gave me clarity, confidence, and a sense of calm—and it can do the same for you.
Let Me Guide You Step by Step
With gentle instruction, a welcoming community, and plenty of room to grow, Sketchbook Sanctuary is here to support your creative journey.
Currency: While I'm based in Australia, all courses are priced in USD—the most widely recognised currency for a global audience. If you're purchasing in another currency, the amount will be converted at checkout by Stripe (for credit card payments) or PayPal. You can check an approximate conversion rate at xe.com.
Refund Policy: I'm unable to offer refunds, as all lessons are available immediately and the videos are downloadable. However, I understand that life happens. If something unexpected comes up, please reach out—I’m always happy to consider individual situations with care. You can email me at [email protected].
Materials & Supplies
In Sketchbook Sanctuary, we’ll be using a variety of mixed media materials — from acrylic inks and pencils to collage papers and paint pens — all within the pages of a sketchbook. My main paint medium is acrylic ink, but you can easily substitute it with watercolour, fluid acrylics, or any paints you already enjoy using.
You’ll find a full supply list below, but please don’t feel you need everything. Start with what you have and build slowly. The aim is to keep things playful and flexible, allowing you to explore freely and discover your own creative flow.
Intuitive Colour Play
Learning about colour doesn’t have to be boring. We’ll explore free-flowing ways to discover new colour palettes and marks. These scrappy swatches are not only fun to make but will also bring endless inspiration and variety to your sketchbook pages.
Your Simple Art Kit
You don’t need a fancy studio to get started. I’ll show you how to set up a small, inviting art station at your dining table — a space where your supplies are close at hand, making it easier to dip into creativity whenever the mood strikes.
Acrylic Inks & Layering
Acrylic inks are a fantastic way to add bold, fluid colour to your sketchbooks. They layer beautifully with other supplies and bring vibrancy to your pages. I’ll show you how I use them, but you can easily substitute other paints if you prefer.
Move Through the Lessons at Your Own Pace
There’s no set order to follow — you can move through the lessons one by one or skip ahead to whatever sparks your curiosity. You’ll have lifetime access, so you can revisit anytime you need a creative reset.
Throughout the course, I’ll guide you through six complete sketchbook spreads — from golden wattle and cherry blossoms to layered leaves and cloudy-day palettes — along with several smaller exercises to fill your pages with intuitive flow.
Love from past students……
Jeanne Maxon
Learning from Laura is like sitting and making art with a talented friend. Her style is friendly and relaxed, helping me surprise myself with the art I am able to create.
Donna Hardy
I love the neutral colors and how Laura incorporates nature elements into her lessons. She has a calming, welcoming presence that encourages you to find your own style and overcome creative blocks.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions...
When does the course start and finish?
Sketchbook Sanctuary is an instant access course. All lessons will be available as soon as you sign up, so you can dive in right away or take your time. There's no rush; you'll have ongoing access to the content and can work through it at your own pace.
How long do I have access to the course?
The course comes with lifetime access. After enrolling, you will have unlimited access to this course for the lifetime of the product. You can also download the videos.
What level is the course suitable for?
This course is suitable for anyone interested in creating mixed media sketchbook pages—from complete beginners to more experienced artists. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to loosen up your style, you’ll find guidance, inspiration, and plenty to explore.
Do I need all the supplies listed?
No, not at all. I encourage you to adapt the supply list to suit your experience, budget, and what you have on hand.
You’ll see me using acrylic ink as my main paint medium, but this could be substituted for watercolour or fluid acrylic.
My teaching style is very open. It’s not about having the exact same tools—it’s about exploring, experimenting, and making the process your own.
You might find it helpful to watch the lessons first, then decide which supplies and techniques you’d like to focus on.
You’ll find the full supply list inside the classroom, or you can download it here.
Do I need high speed internet for the course?
Yes, you will need a good internet connection to view and/or download the video content for this course.
Will there be an online community for this course?
Yes, I will provide details of how to submit a request to join the Laura Horn Art Facebook community. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with others and share your creations. There is also a hashtag, #laurahornartclasses, that can be used on Instagram and other social media platforms.
What is the refund policy?
Because you're given immediate access to the class, I am unable to offer a refund.
That said, I understand that life can be unpredictable. If something comes up, whether it’s a personal situation or the course isn’t quite what you expected, please feel free to reach out.
While I have a no-refund policy in place, I’m always happy to consider individual circumstances with care and kindness.
You can contact me at [email protected].
Ready to Begin?
Ready to begin? Enjoy lifetime access and start your creative journey today.
Use code STUDIO25 at checkout to save $25 USD