Visual Memory Keeping & Creative Exploration in Your Sketchbook
Led by Samantha Dion Baker
About This Workshop
This workshop begins with a series of simple, practical drawing exercises designed to loosen your hand and quiet your inner critic. We will warm up with line work, shape studies, and quick observational sketches that help you see more clearly and draw with more confidence. The focus is not perfection. It is momentum, curiosity, and learning to trust your marks.
All levels are welcome. Even if you do not draw often, you can capture the essence of a moment with a few thoughtful lines, a small vignette, or by playing with your handwriting and lettering to emphasize meaningful words.
Inspired by ideas from Samantha's books, specifically Draw Your Adventures, we will explore how small details such as a receipt tucked into your bag, a simple street sign, shoes by the door, or the view from your seat can anchor a memory and tell a layered story. You will learn what to look for beyond the obvious subject and how to combine simple drawings, objects, and words to create pages that feel personal and specific.
Whether you keep a dedicated sketchbook, a travel journal, or draw in your planner, you will leave with practical tools for turning everyday moments into visual stories.
Workshop Details
Duration
2.5 Hours
Skill Level
All Levels Welcome
Class Size
To Be Announced
Location
To Be Announced
Materials Provided
- Custom booklet with tips and prompts, made just for Stationery Festival 2026
- Blackwing pencil
- Micron pen
- Caran d'Ache colored pencils (shared among all attendees)
What to Bring
- Reference photos of at least three interesting things you see, eat, or experience in the 24 hours before the workshop
- Any related ephemera: food packaging, coffee sleeves, ticket stubs, receipts, labels, wrappers, or other small paper items connected to those moments
What You'll Take Home
- Greater understanding of how to find inspiration in the world around you
- Confidence to translate everyday moments onto the page
- Practical tools for noticing meaningful details
- Techniques for building layered sketchbook pages
- Ability to tell more personal visual stories
- Three-month free subscription to Samantha's Substack membership (includes tutorials, prompts, virtual meetups, video archive, and resources)
Prep Work: Please bring reference photos of at least three interesting things you see, eat, or experience in the 24 hours before coming to the workshop, along with any related ephemera you may have. This could include food packaging, coffee sleeves, ticket stubs, receipts, labels, wrappers, or other small paper items connected to those moments. These everyday details will help you add context, texture, and personality to your sketchbook pages.
Age Requirement: All levels welcome, but above age 13 please.
Past Workshops
