Nov 15: Nature Sketching - Capturing the Beauty of Everyday Nature

Hosted by Anna Shishkina of The Pine Woods

Date: 15 November 2026, Sunday
Time: 17:00
Location: Always Summer Store, Prins Hendrikstraat 124, 2518HX Den Haag

Nature Sketching: Capturing the Beauty of Everyday Nature

Have you ever stopped to admire a beautiful flower, an interesting leaf, or the way tree branches stretch towards the sky and wished you could capture it on paper? If you've ever wanted to start sketching the natural world around you, this workshop is a lovely place to begin!

Join Anna for a cozy afternoon of nature sketching at Always Summer, where we'll explore how to observe, simplify, and capture the little details that make nature so fascinating.

About the workshop

Nature is full of beautiful shapes, textures, and patterns, from delicate flower petals and winding branches to the intricate veins of a leaf. But how do you translate all this complexity onto a piece of paper without getting lost in the details?

During this workshop, we'll learn how to approach nature sketching using a brush pen, a versatile and expressive drawing tool that allows you to create everything from delicate lines to bold shapes. We'll explore how to observe natural forms, simplify complex details, and build a sketch that captures the character of your subject without trying to reproduce every little thing perfectly.

We'll start with simple elements, such as leaves, flowers, and branches, gradually exploring different ways to represent their shapes and textures. Through a series of guided exercises, you'll learn how to look more closely at your surroundings, identify the essential features of a subject, and translate what you see into a sketch.

The workshop will focus on capturing the essence of nature rather than creating perfectly detailed botanical illustrations. We'll experiment with different levels of detail, playful lines, and expressive marks, discovering how a few simple strokes can bring a natural subject to life.

The class is suitable for all levels, from complete beginners to experienced sketchers looking to explore a different subject or approach. Anna will guide you through the process step by step, giving you the confidence to start sketching nature in your own way.

All the necessary materials will be provided, including a brush pen and a sketchbook that you can take home and continue using after the workshop.

What's included?

• All the materials needed for the workshop
• A brush pen to experiment with and use for your sketches
• A sketchbook to collect your drawings and continue your nature sketching journey
• A selection of natural objects and visual references to work from during the class
• Step-by-step guidance and practical tips for observing and sketching natural forms

Everything is provided, so you can simply arrive, get comfortable, and enjoy an afternoon of drawing.

Why join?

If you've ever wanted to slow down, look a little closer at the natural world, and learn how to capture its beauty on paper, this workshop is for you!

Nature sketching is a wonderful way to become more attentive to your surroundings. It encourages you to notice the shapes, patterns, and small details you might otherwise overlook, whether you're walking through a park, exploring a garden, or simply admiring a flower at home.

You'll learn practical techniques that you can use long after the workshop, giving you a starting point for your own sketching practice. The goal isn't to create a perfect drawing, but to develop the confidence to pick up a pen, observe what's in front of you, and enjoy the process of translating it onto paper.

By the end of the afternoon, you'll have a collection of nature sketches, a better understanding of how to approach natural subjects, and the tools to continue exploring on your own.

Workshop programme

• Getting to know each other: Introduction to the workshop, the materials, and the basics of nature sketching.
• Getting to know your materials: Discover the versatility of a brush pen and experiment with different lines, marks, and levels of detail.
• Looking closely at nature: Learn how to observe natural forms and identify their essential shapes and features.
• Exploring textures and details: Experiment with different marks to suggest veins, petals, branches, and other natural textures.
• From details to a complete sketch: Learn how to bring individual elements together into a simple, balanced composition.
• Your final nature sketch: Put your new skills into practice and create a sketch of a natural subject of your choice.

The programme will be adapted to the group's pace and experience, with plenty of time to practise, experiment, and ask questions.

About your host

I have been sketching for 10 years already, capturing buildings, parks, sceneries, and simple everyday scenes. First developed as a necessary skill for my studies, sketching quickly transformed into more than a hobby - a passion. For years in Architecture School, I was experimenting with different styles, taking workshops and courses, sketching outdoors that move (but mainly that doesn't move). Now I work across different mediums and use sketching as a tool to capture my memories and illustrate emotions - mine and those of others.

Learn more about Anna's work at The Pine Woods.

Cancellation policy

Full refund for cancellations made at least 7 days before the event.

If you can’t make it, you’re welcome to transfer your spot to a friend. Just let us know their name so we can welcome them.

The workshop will go ahead with a minimum of 4 participants and is limited to a maximum of 12 participants.

Any questions? Send them to adshishkina.ru@gmail.com.