✏️ The Sketching Shed Challenge

At the heart of Sketching Shed is a year-long creative challenge.

Each week focuses on three simple prompts:

an animal commonly found in UK gardens or allotments

an allotment object often used on our plots

a plant, vegetable, herb, flower or tree we grow on our plots, whether intentionally or not

The aim is to encourage consistent creativity, not perfect outcomes.

Some weeks result in finished pieces, others in rough sketches or ideas that don’t quite land. Both are part of the process. This has been the real learning point for me, clicking ‘share’ on a piece I myself am not happy with is a feeling I’ve had to get used to quickly.

The challenge exists to build habit, explore a wide range of subjects, and keep creativity grounded in the changing seasons of allotment life.

Whether it’s a quick pencil sketch, a loose watercolour or a more considered illustration, the focus isn’t on perfection. It’s about showing up, experimenting and building a regular creative practice alongside life on the plot.

At least, that was the plan when I first started in January. However, I quickly realised that to draw more frequently, I need things to be quick and efficient. I need to be able to pick up my stationary and be drawing within seconds, rather than spending half an hour setting up my paints and easel before spending another half hour cleaning up afterwards. That’s why I’ve ended up using Procreate for a most of this year’s artwork so far. I never utilised my Apple pen before this year, but I am so grateful to have it now.

This is as much a personal project as it is an open invitation, a place to document and and share the process of learning through drawing.