You only need a quick glance at Esmé Shapiro’s work to appreciate the depth that she is able to achieve with just pencil, paper and paint. We’ll spend this week together being guided through the vast catalogue of Shapiro’s work, with titles ranging from Carol and the Pickle Toad to A Garden of Creatures and the modern classic Ooko. You’ll hear gasps of wonder as Christianne turns the pages of each story, and your Christmas wishlist will become that much clearer. 

After starting the day in another world, we’ll practice representing nature using gouache, watercolour and pencil, with step-by-step demonstrations. Each camper will focus on doing small studies before creating a larger composition; a two dimensional nature creature from Sculpey, in the spirit of Ooko, to place in our painted garden. 

As Esme is known for her interconnectedness between nature and friendship, on one of the days we'll take a trip to our community garden to paint outdoors using inspiration from the flourishing garden boxes. Seated in the sunshine next to a friend, following the path of the paint…what could be sweeter?!