The Traveling Sketchbook

Creating Memories from Home + Away

Keeping a sketchbook practice has been one of my best habits as an artist. It helped me explore new ideas that have led to incredible projects, stay disciplined in becoming a better artist, and most importantly, has been a therapeutic part of my day.

 

I often get asked questions about my sketchbooks, so I thought it would be fun to create an online art class to share step-by-step techniques while offering lots of art advice and tips along the way, with a few "whoopsies" in there too!

 

I truly believe that being Creative is our Superpower. And once you tap into that energy, the world is at your fingertips. And all you need is 10-15 minutes a day! 

About This Course:

Instant Access

9 Inspirational Lessons 

Sketchbook Tours

3+ hours of Content

Manageable Bite-Size Videos

Lesson on Drawing Techniques

Bonus: Downloadable Photo Reference

My Favorite Sketching Art Supplies 

Downloadable Videos

Self-Paced

Lifetime Access

All Levels Welcome

$47

Sign me up for some creative time!

Overview of Class Video

On Location: La Selva Beach

You can’t do sketches enough. Sketch everything and keep your curiosity fresh – John Singer Sargent

This beautiful beach is a few minutes from my home, and it's one my favorite spots to breath in the crisp air and smell the Eucalyptus trees all around. Talk about self-care - this place does the trick. I share my technique on how I created this 12 minute sketch using watercolors and neo-crayons (that's less time than a lunch break). And as an added bonus you get to hear the sounds of the waves crashing the whole time!

In the Studio: Random Bits

A drawing is simply a line going for a walk – Paul Klee

Taking a solo nature walk in the neighborhood or park without any devices can be so refreshing. What happens is that you start paying attention to the details – the way the light reflects, how the flowers are growing, whoosh of the birds flying by, and all the different sounds. Pretty soon you'll be picking up random bits (it's why I always have pockets when I walk!) and these make a great still life for a sketch. It's why I call them Random Bits, and I try to always include space to write notes about the date, the walk or activity along the side. In this lesson I'll be sketching some of my favorite items I've collected from the outdoors using some really fun pen techniques.

On Location: Depot Hill in Capitola

Drawing makes you see things clearer, and clearer and clearer still, until your eyes ache – David Hockney

This quaint neighborhood, Depot Hill, overlooks the town of Capitola. This is one of my favorite places to walk around. All the homes are slightly different, with unique gardens that flower throughout the seasons. There are a few benches to sit and rest while taking in the views (perfect for sketching). I'll share some quick sketches around the town while I am on location.

In the Studio: Bellagio, Italy

I begin with an idea, then it becomes something else - Pablo Picasso

There's nothing quite like Italy. It seeps in beauty. I am lucky enough to have traveled there on a few occasions, and one place in particular always takes my breath away, Lake Como. As we can't all go there together, I hope to bring Italy to you through this lesson. I am using one of my photos of a cobbly road winding down through the town toward the lake. This scene has many things going on, and during the lesson, you will see how I focus on certain elements using pen, and in a follow-up video, I'll use a watercolor wash to bring color into the sketch.

Sketchbook Tour!

You can't use up creativity - the more you use, the more you have - Maya Angelo

Capturing the beauty in the everyday can lead to so many things. Sketching teaches you to see things differently, from how the light looks or the hidden details in a landscape to the vast array of colors. It also gives you 20 minutes of peace by turning off the noise of our busy life which ultimately leads to less stress, which is one of the main reasons I turn to these books to doodle away in some quiet time. I will share my different sketchbooks from the years. You will see the messy marks, the doodles, and the illustrations from home and away. As you walk down memory lane with me, I hope you will come away energized to start scribbling in your sketchbook right away!

Love Notes from Students

5 star rating

Wonderful Course on Travel Sketching!

Keeley O'Neill

I really enjoyed this course. It's packed full of information on which supplies are useful to bring with you on location, tips on perspective drawing, sketch...

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I really enjoyed this course. It's packed full of information on which supplies are useful to bring with you on location, tips on perspective drawing, sketching out on location, and adding watercolours to your sketches. Looking forward to using some of the tips and techniques on my upcoming trip across Canada. Thanks Andrea for a wonderful course!

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5 star rating

Love learning from Andrea Garvey!

Mary Fellows

Super fun class, with lots of motivation to take a few minutes a day and sketch. I love adding the watercolor! I have started sketching daily now and feel ...

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Super fun class, with lots of motivation to take a few minutes a day and sketch. I love adding the watercolor! I have started sketching daily now and feel like Andrea really inspired me to make it a habit. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm for teaching!

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5 star rating

Inspiring Teaching!

Lynne Sinnhuber

I really enjoyed "The Traveling Sketchbook" class! Andrea's sharing of ways she has used sketchbooking through travels as well as the everyday really encoura...

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I really enjoyed "The Traveling Sketchbook" class! Andrea's sharing of ways she has used sketchbooking through travels as well as the everyday really encouraged me to hop on board! The main idea of putting in bits of time in a sketchbook a regular basis makes so much sense, and can be anything from doodling, to larger realistic painting on location. I loved all ideas presented, small portable sketchbooks and supplies, with so many wonderful ideas to implement it into your own life. I'm also intrigued with the idea of using this as a memoir of one's life, catching some of our favorite moments in a sketchbook. A wide variety of options are mentioned, with many different mediums optional, all to be personalized to our own likes. I highly recommend to others this fun and motivating class. It is a huge win for me!

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4 star rating

Inspirational

Kellyn Trapp

Andrea’s traveling sketchbook course was simple,yet very inspirational and fun to watch. I would have loved to see the sketching a bit more clearly, visible...

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Andrea’s traveling sketchbook course was simple,yet very inspirational and fun to watch. I would have loved to see the sketching a bit more clearly, visible to my eye as you were on site outdoors. Your hand was in the way for these 5-10 minute sketches. Other than that, watching has given me more inspiration to sketch more with watercolor and ink.

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4 star rating

Small Steps!

Vera Zappala

Enjoyed the way Andrea used small steps to explain how she uses sketchbooks and her process without overwhelming the viewer. The variety of sketch books sh...

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Enjoyed the way Andrea used small steps to explain how she uses sketchbooks and her process without overwhelming the viewer. The variety of sketch books she uses was amazing. I am thankful that I have access to the workshop even after I have finished viewing all the stages. New to the thought of sketching (and doodling) it is a little intimidating. Thank you Andrea for breaking it down into small steps.

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My Sketchbook Practice

Capturing everyday beauty

Keeping a sketchbook practice has been one of my best habits as an artist. It helped me explore new ideas that have led to incredible projects, stay disciplined in becoming a better artist, and most importantly, has been a therapeutic part of my day. I often get asked questions about my sketchbooks, so I thought it would be fun to create an online art class to share step-by-step techniques while offering lots of art advice and tips along the way, with a few "whoopsies" in there too! I truly believe that being Creative is our Superpower. And once you tap into that energy, the world is at your fingertips. And all you need is 10-15 minutes a day!

Sign me up for some creative time!