On the 4th and 5th May 2024, we gathered together for the 6th year of Sketch across the World, creating our global sketchbook in nature. Thank you so much to everyone who joined in, what an adventure we have been on.

We felt the sun on our faces and the wind in our hair. We stood in a rainstorm creating with the raindrops as they fell, whilst the wind made its mark with the gorse on a cliff top and you sketched with your non-dominant hand. You took a concertina sketchbook on a journey through a wood, created in different mediums, from pen, to gouache, pastels and watercolours. You collected treasures on a walk to create Nature’s Art. Sketched in thread, with lino cuts and etched all with Nature at its Heart.

You went out on all kinds of adventures, by foot, skateboard, wheelchair and bicycle, and on a journey through a country. So much movement through the landscape, different viewpoints and experiences all shared with excitement.

“I hopped on my bike and pedalled with my Sketch Kit on my back.”

Louise – Kuala Lumpur

Our adventure began in Tennessee as our first sketch floated in from @lizzydoone on the Tennesse River, with a drawing of a large grass carp (ctenopharyngodon idella), who came to say hello. At an incredible three feet long, what an amazing experience.

From the river we headed North to Ottawa where @bonniejanemc made an early start sketching a spruce tree, whilst recording 17 bird species on the edge of Kanata with the Merlin app. Such a wonderful list of species to see.

We then headed East to the UK where @mikeashton was taking in the bluebells in a woodland at Haughmond Hill, Shropshire. Experiencing this Wonderful Springtime Beltane moment. Before we headed across the ocean to Western Australia to Midalia Beach with @francesleestudio who was sketching with the Geraldton Sketchers, gathering to sketch together on the seafront, for some creative fun. Then back over to Wales, in Gwynedd where @julesmcrobbie was immersed sketching the oystercatchers on the estuary at Arthog before her, with their orange-red bill, reddish-pink legs and striking black and white feathers.

The most Northerly & Most Southerly Sketches

The most Northerly sketch arrived from Whitehorse, Yukon, where @judyinyukon sketched the vast landscape before her. Noting a lovely walk in the woods. The most Southerly Sketch arrived from @judi.rose in Albany, Western Australia, who went on a beach adventure and managed to sketch and got caught in the showers. Taking a moment to watch the waves and the birds enjoying a splash.

Our Sketch Across the World Map

Highlights from the Weekend

78 artists took part from 5 continents, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. We literally sketched across the World.

You joined in from: Tennesse, Kanata Ottawa, Haughmond Hill Shropshire, Midalia Beach Western Australia, Arthog Gwynedd, Cwmtydu Ceredigion, Wales, Tallinn Estonia, Tricht Netherlands, Blue ridge mountains, Florida, Green Valley Arizona, Moordrecht Netherlands, Soult France, Peak District Derbyshire, Worcestershire, Suffolk, North Carolina, Bristol UK, Sydney Australia, Kuala Lumpur, Towcester Northamptonshire , Basel Switzerland, Texas, London UK, Brighton UK, Essex UK, Albany Western Australia, Plettenberg Bay Western Cape South Africa, North Yorkshire Moors, Languedoc Park France, Germany, Bukit Jeluton Geo Community Malaysia, Durham UK, Norfolk UK, Herefordshire, Murcia Spain, Tucson Mountain Pass Arizona, Toronto, Dartmoor UK, Isle of Tiree Scotland, Stroud Gloucester, El Rancho Colorado, Southern Ireland, Berwick on Tweed UK, Peak District UK, Loch Katrine Scotland, Ludlow Shropshire UK, Regents Park London, Pennsylvania, Lunga Treshnish Isles Scotland, Macclesfield UK, Pskov Oblast, Dumfries and Galloway, Edwardsville Illinois, Apostles Islands National Park, Wisconsin, County Sligo Ireland, Amsterdam, Sussex UK, Blairgowrie Scotland, Whitehorse Yukon, Texas, Scotland.

You sketched from the edge of cities, in your gardens and on your roof tops, where wildlife meets urban. On Islands, in woodlands, forests and the jungle, to the mountains, desert and to the sea. Out in all weathers, in the wind and the rain to shading from the heat of the day.

“It’s the first time in a long time since my garden sketchbook has made it outside, so hoped this will get me back into the habit. It also meant I noticed the first Holly Blue butterfly in the garden this year.”

Rachel Goddard – Brighton UK

Birds were a strong theme this year, as you immersed yourselves in nature. With a record 62 bird species noted throughout the World. This is the highest number of birds to be recorded on Sketch Across the World over the last 6 years. From the redwing blackbird in Ontario, the Curlew on the Yorkshire Moors, to the racket-tailed drongo in Kula Lumpur. @carole_milon added to our soundscapes with a wonderful frog chorus from Toronto, so loud it drowned out the road noise, how amazing is that? Last year the Gibbon was calling from the forest and this year the birds and frogs shared their voice.

We noted that we saw bees and butterflies, spiders and beetles, a snake, Buffalo, Big Horned Sheep and an Elk, deer, fish a rabbit. I think that’s the first time someone has mentioned seeing a Buffalo.

I’ve loved experiencing your adventures, it’s such a wonderful way to discover nature in your part of the World. Thank you once again to everyone who joined in and to Alice Draws the Line for all your support. If you need a new adventure it’s International Nature Journalling Week at the beginning of June, so please do check it out.

I will leave you with this fabulous quote from Louise Fisher from Kuala Lumpur about her Sketch Across the World experience. Wishing you lovely creative adventures ahead.

We had the best time in the jungle on our first adventure of Sketch Across the World. So as the weekend draws to a close, I’ve lots of lovely memories of time outside on leaf-lined, muddy jungle trails, listening to birdsong and looking for monkeys, the happy sense of appreciation for where we live and what we get to experience.

Louise- Kuala Lumpur