This is the ‘Salty one’ – join Dorset artist, Shaun Forward and sketch-walk the coastal path from Swanage Pier – over Ballard Down and Old Harry along Shell Bay to the Sandbanks Chain Ferry – sketching all the way. This tutored workshop will be one of the best days of your life!
NEXT WORKSHOP: Tuesday 1st July 2025 – Swanage
On this 7 mile stretch of the ‘Salt Path’ Coastal Path, we’ll challenge ourselves to make quick 15 minute sketches at a dozen picturesque intervals along our route. Although this workshop might seem more suitable for improvers, beginners are welcome and will benefit from the the whole tutored experience.
Using the 38-page concertina sketchbook included within your booking fee, we can choose just how many faces we use for each scene. Taking minimal kit, we might work in pencil, charcoal, pen & ink, pastels or watercolour. The sketching objective will be to sharpen our observational and recording skills. By forcing ourselves to make quick, accurate observations, we will start to drop the habit of fussing over too much detail, thus capturing the spirit of each scene quickly.
Bring a small packed lunch, water a hat and stout footwear. Suitable for beginners to improvers – be prepared for one of the best days of your life! I’ve done it before and the views and the experiences are out of this world…
The format
Rendezvous 9:30am Swanage Pier Head ticket box. But everyone is invited to join me on the Purbeck Breezer 50 bus, I’ll be boarding at 8.23am at Canford Cliffs (as parking on side roads is free all day). Arrival at Swanage bus/train station 9.08am, then walking to the rendezvous point.
The object of today’s Sketch walk is to sharpen our observational and recording skills. By forcing ourselves to make quick, accurate observations, we will start to drop the habit of fussing over too much detail, thus capturing the spirit of each scene quickly. We’ll also enjoy a fantastic walk in great scenery with likeminded people.
The route of our Sketchbooking walk will take us around the fringes of Swanage town, along the beach front before joining the salty South West Coastal Path. Ascending Ballard Down with Swanage Bay curving away behind us, we’ll witness unrivalled 360* views at the summit. Descending then to Old Harry Rocks, where we might choose to enjoy our picnic lunch. Moving on along the cliff top and taking the new woodland path down to Studland’s South Beach. If the tide is low enough, we’ll tip-toe around Redhead Point to Middle and Knoll Beaches. Plenty of beach huts, gnarled trees and grassy dunes to sketch – not to mention three coffee shop opportunities at the studland beaches. Shell Bay and its headland will be the final leg, with views of the grassy dunes to one side and the approaching sandbanks and Bournemouth just beyond the harbour entrance.
We’ll be aiming to reach the chain ferry for circa 3:30pm and to catch the next Breezer back to Canford Cliffs – or wherever home takes you. And hopefully, with a Sketchbook full of spontaneously sketched memories…
Complete details will be issued upon enquiry, and specific questions will be answered upon request – but please see foot of page for an outline of more general information, which answers a number of frequently asked questions.
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General outline information
All-abilities welcome. Tutoring matched to each personal level within the group. A positive and friendly attitude is encouraged. Own transport needed to join given location(s). Always sketching outdoors from life, unless very wet, when an indoor public venue will be switched to. Bring own equipment, but occasionally some materials supplied or available to try for experiment with. Basic typical equipment; cartridge or watercolour paper/pad, pencil, eraser, fineliner pen(s) or fountain/ dip pen & ink, watercolours or coloured pencils/pastels, or charcoal. Lightweight carryable seat.
NB: Choice advice on all materials will be given upon booking, as well as in the workshop.
Cancellation: To avoid 50% non-returnable cancellation fee, notice is required at least five days prior to the event day.
A wide choice of refreshments, drinks, cakes, snacks, soft and alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase at our base venue.
There is no on-site parking at the venue – but plenty of car parks in easy walking distance. Venue is also mere minutes away from main bus stops.
All participants are responsible for their own belongings, safety and wellbeing.
