BRIGHT sketchbook playdate

Sketchbooks are magical. In one portable place they are a space to experiment, play and let happy accidents flourish.

Sketchbooks are packed with inspiration and cherished memories

With this playful apraoch to art-making I've created a monthly online art class of bite-sized videos taking you through my drawing and mark-making process, giving you the skills and confidence to ignite your creativity and fill your sketchbook one playful drawing at a time.

Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner, Sketchbook Playdate is a welcome space to find joy in drawing.

Plant the seeds of playful curiosity, watch your sketchbook bloom, and your creativity thrive. See you next playdate!

BRIGHT Sketchbook Playdate is part of my new creative hub over on Substack. To join a Playdate sign up here.

Why subscribe?

By joining the BRIGHT family for free, you will receive a monthly excerpt from my sketchbook and musings of the moment sent to your inbox. 

Upgrade to a paid membership and you'll gain full access to every new Sketchbook Playdate, each with a specific goal and practical takeaway.

You'll also have exclusive access to:

  • The Sketchbook Playdate back catalogue as it builds

  • Seasonal drawing prompts

  • Material lists

  • Real-world examples of how a simple drawing can lead to so much more

  • The BRIGHT Community for sharing your Playdate journey

check out the episodes

  • Sgraffito a cheery still life brimming with texture and pattern.

  • Draw a moody floral with bright pops.

  • Collage a frothy petalled flower.

  • Design a geometric pattern that incorporates bold black shapes with smooth areas of paint and colour.

  • Create a drawing focusing on big colour block shapes and fine lettering details.

  • Design and cut a motif of complex organic shapes.

What BRIGHT Family Members are Saying

  • Mel

    I have always enjoyed following Ali, as there is something in her work that truly resonates with me. I am inspired by her approach to her work and the variety of techniques and colours she chooses. When an opportunity came along to join her BRIGHT Family, I jumped in and haven’t looked back.

    I have enjoyed every single Playdate and I am learning so much along the way. Each month, I am excited to see our Playdate in my inbox, and I always give myself the time to do it, not just once or twice but over again. Each piece is different, yet each teaches me something new. As time goes by, the fear of approaching a white page has become less and less, and my sketchbook is beginning to grow!

  • Persephone

    I love your Playdates and look forward to them every month. Primarily, they are fun, but they are also very well structured with an end goal, transformation and take away. I find myself learning things through playing, which, as an adult, we don’t do nearly enough! I also love the variety of the playdates, each one is different and offers opportunities to take things further if you wish to.

  • Amy

    I’m excited to see where Sketchbook Playdate takes me! Plus, I need a “reason” to build in a bit more self-care and quiet time, so this works perfectly.

  • Vicky

    Hi Ali, I love it each month when Sketchbook Playdate lands in my inbox! Ali’s videos are thoughtful, joyful, and packed with inspiring drawing, painting, and mark-making techniques. Alongside the videos, there is lots of friendly and supportive chat in the BRIGHT Family community space. Playdate pushes me outside of my comfort zone, and I love it. 

Join BRIGHT Sketchbook Playdate

BRIGHT Ideas

Enjoy a couple of free instructional videos where you can see, first hand, how I go about creating drawings and paintings. The videos are designed to focus on one or two ideas and materials and see how a picture can be made. Enjoy watching.

The videos give a flavour of what to expect in a Sketchbook Playdate.