Walk and Draw: Saltdean

Join me for a fun day of walking and sketching on the coastal undercliff path, just outside Brighton.

We will be starting our walk in Saltdean at the Saltdean Lido before making our way along the undercliff coastal pathway to Ovingdean. Soaking up the last of summer with your sketchbook in hand. Whether you're an experienced artist or just enjoy doodling, this event is for everyone! Meet fellow sketchbook enthusiasts, get inspired and learn how to draw characterful people from life. I'll be sharing what materials I use and recommend, how to fill a sketchbook and tips for observational drawing specifically drawing people. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to combine light exercise and creativity in the late summer.

How to get there:

From Old Steine or Sea Life Center in Brighton, you can take the 12/12A/14/27 to Saltdean Lido, and then walk across the road to our meeting spot, the Saltdean Lido.

Where to meet:

We'll gather outside the Saltdean Lido where we will have a small informal chat before we head along the coastal path to Greenways. We will stop and draw along the way, and finish our walk at the Undercliff cafe, just below the Greenway's bus stop.

There is a bus available at Greenways back to Saltdean and or back into the Brighton.

What to bring with:

• Water/ Drink, snacks and sun protection ( Hat, sun cream etc. )
• Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
• Sketchbook - Any size, I would recommend an A5 size.
• Drawing Materials - can be a pencil, watercolours, paints or ballpoint pen! Anything goes!

Recommended Materials:

Sketchbooks:

• Daler Rowney Sketchbooks from Cass Art
• Royal Talens ( A bit pricey, but lovely paper!)
• Cass Art collection sketchbooks ( Great quality - perfect for beginners)
• Moleskin Sketchbooks ( Pricey, but lovely to draw and easy to use out and about)

Pencils & Paints

Like I've said - anything goes! So it's quite hard to say what materials are best, therefore I've just recommended a few if you're keen to get going with sketching from life.

• Faber Castell coloured pencils ( You can start by buying some of your favourite colours separately and build up your range in this way)
• Derwent Inktense Pencils ( Lovely saturated colours, great to play around with for watersoluable colours.)
• Watercolour set ( Windsor & Newton are great if you're invested in your art but if you're just starting out, a more cost effective water colour set will do the trick!)
• Tombow Brush pens - they are great for blocking out big areas of colour and to get a paintly effect)
• Reuseable brush pens ( These are great for filling with water, makes it super easy to paint on the go!)

Meet your Me - your guide and sketchbook friend!

Ulrike Mieke

Hi there! My name is Ulrike Mieke, everyone calls me Mieke - I’m a Children's Book Illustrator from South Africa currently living in Ovingdean, Brighton with my husband. I love filling up sketchbooks drawing people and places, capturing moments! When I'm not drawing - you can find me working on picturebook projects or lecturing part-time at BIMM University, or just having a dig in my garden (village life!) Follow my work @ulrike_mieke