About the course
This course is aimed at anyone wishing to sketch in pen or pencil and incorporate colour washes with watercolours. Sketching is all about recording what you see in a quick and looser manner. Mistakes are less important as it's all about recording the moment and moving on.
Sketching is good practice for all ages and, surprise, it has nothing to do with the end result. It’s all about the process - a process that improves our general well-being.
A sketch may serve a number of purposes: it might record something that the artist sees, it might record or develop an idea for later use or it might be used as a quick way of graphically demonstrating an image, idea or principle.
Since this hobby requires hand-eye coordination, it improves the connection between your brain's left and right hemispheres. The more you sketch, the more they get connected - as a result, your concentration and coordination should improve.
Of course, being in the open air with plenty of time to work can be very relaxing - many previous course members have remarked how time seems to vanish!
We’ll look at ways to produce quick observational drawings of buildings, landscapes and people and develop those skills using mainly markers and watercolour. You’ll soon find yourself looking at things in new ways and starting to develop a style of your own.
Weather permitting, we'll be working outdoors, in and around the village of Monflanquin. Most weeks there will be a short practical demonstration, followed by plenty of time to work at your own pace with as much help and guidance as you would like.There’s so much of interest hidden round every corner of the ancient streets of Monflanquin, it makes an ideal focus to get to grips with sketching.
Over the previous eight years many people have found my art courses helpful, relaxed and fun.
We'll practice sketching from life using pen then add more life and colour using watercolours.
I'll help you with techniques for getting proportions right, shading, detail and perspective.
You’ll learn to sketch a variety of subjects around the village.
The main language will be English, but if you can forgive my French, I would welcome any French speakers.
Some of Jon's recent sketchbook pages:
Times and dates
The course will run on:
Five Tuesday afternoons from 13:30 to 16:30, starting on Tuesday 1st of September 2026 and finishing on Tuesday 29th September 2026.
OR
Five Wednesday afternoons from 13:30 to 16:30, starting on Wednesday 2nd of September 2026 and finishing on Wednesday 30th of September 2026.
NOTE: The Wednesday course is now full
Materials
If you already have watercolour paints and brushes you wish to use, please feel free to bring those instead
Everything you need is ncluded in the cost:
- A quality A5 size sketchbook
- A waterbrush to keep
- A pigment marker to keep
- A range of pencils, pens etc
- A basic range of watercolour paints available to use each week
- Tables, chairs etc
- Refreshments (tea / coffee / water)
I'll send a list of recommended materials (and suppliers) once your place on the course has been confirmed, should you wish to purchase your own materials.
Venue & cost
The venue will be Galerie JS in the heart of Monflanquin. We'll be using the gallery as a base. There is ample free parking within a short walking distance.
To provide a high level of personal attention, the number of places is limited to 6 people.
The cost of the five week course is 120€ per person, payable at the first session and includes all tuition, materials as mentioned above and refreshments. We accept cash, cheques and most payment cards.
To reserve a place (or request more information)
Please complete the form below (if you have any problems with the form, email:
Please note that sending an email doesn’t guarantee a place. I will reply as soon possible to confirm. Places are allocated on a 'first come, first served" basis. To be viable, the course needs a minimum of 4 people. In the event that there are more requests than places, I’ll keep a waiting list.
All details above are accurate at the time of writing (July 2026), but are subject to change.
Would you like to buy this as a gift for someone? Let me know in the 'Message' field below and I'll send you a payment link and a personalised gift certificate in the recipient's name.
Comments from previous course members
"Thank you Jon for introducing me to watercolours. I'm loving it. And thank you Sue for making us feel so welcome."
~
"Thanks John...you are so patient with us! Really enjoying the course..there's hope for me yet!"
~
"I have always felt like an outsider looking in, but you gave me the confidence to try and paint something for myself and I can see that, with a lot of practice, I might eventually be able to make something that I like."
~
"Jon, it was great! I’ve got my painting stuff out now and I’m trying to keep the buzz going!"
~
"Really enjoyed the class today, I loved painting the trees, and I loved those chocolate biscuits."
~
"Thank you so much for this weeks lesson at the lake. I really enjoyed it and learnt a lot about painting trees and water to make them look a little more realistic."
~
"Loved the friendly class..."
~
"Jon is a great teacher, to be recommended."
~
"...would definitely recommend John and his course. Amazing teacher. And great price."
~
"I really enjoy Jon’s classes and he’s a great teacher . Well worth signing up for his classes."