Hello and welcome to the Creative Flock!

A seasonal, slow, and nature-loving space to sketch, share, and grow together 🌿

Welcome to The Creative Flock, it’s so lovely to have you here!

Photo taken of me drawing in some woodland, by my lovely friend and talented photographer, Caroline Bates, links to her website at the end of this post.

I’m Emma, an illustrator and artist living in rural Northamptonshire, UK, with my husband and our energetic 11-year-old.

My creative work is rooted in a deep love for the natural world,  especially the small, everyday dramas playing out in micro habitats that often go unnoticed. I’m drawn to birds, woodland creatures, and those small, fleeting moments of wonder in nature that feel magical when you pause to notice them. I’m also inspired by folklore, old magic, and the power of storytelling to connect us more deeply with the world around us.

I’m a passionate sketchbook keeper and a collector of natural treasures, feathers, shells or curious stones, anything that sparks wonder. When I’m not in the studio, you’ll usually find me out wandering the countryside with binoculars and sketchbook in hand, often stopping to identify birds, sketch, or photograph some tree bark.

Why I set up the Creative Flock

I created this community as a way to provide a nurturing, inspiring space for fellow artists and makers, a place to connect, create, and grow together.

Substack felt like the perfect home, free from the noise of algorithms and ads, it offers the space for real, meaningful connection. What I’ve found here is a vibrant, creative community and the kind of thoughtful conversation I’d been craving. It’s a joy to share this space with members from around the world, all brought together by a shared love of art, nature, and gentle inspiration.

When you subscribe to The Creative Flock you’ll be joining a supportive and inspiring space for creative and nature-loving folk. The Flock is open to anyone, at any stage in their creative journey.

Ways to join the Flock:

🪶 Free Tier:

Perfect for curious creatives who want to stay lightly connected

• A seasonal themed monthly livestream: Just me, chatting and drawing or occasionally joined by other creators for a collaborative session. Recordings available to catch up on.

• Our longstanding Good Stuff Friday chat thread: a lovely, low-key space to share little moments of joy or gratitude from your week.

• Enjoy occasional, free-to-read posts

• 10% discount in my print shop

• 10% discount at Deep Deep Light Watercolour

🪺 Paid Tier:

For those wanting a deeper connection to their practice, fresh inspiration, and a creative community to grow alongside

Membership is £6/month or £60/year.

Everything in the free tier, plus:

• Co-sketching, twice a month: a relaxed get-together with a bit of chat and some focused sketching or creative time, working on your own projects with a little accountability.

• A seasonal something: Member-only content which could include a process video, creative exercise, sketchbook share, or seasonal reflection.

• Invitations to Occasional themed drawing sessions with artist friends and collaborators.

• A creative, supportive community: Read and comment on all posts and threads.

• Full Flock archive access: three years’ worth of videos, drawing session recordings, and posts.

• 20% discount in my print shop

• 15% discount at Deep Deep Light Watercolour

Founding members (£160/year) get everything in the Flock membership, plus a piece of original art from me each year, and a little extra off anything from my shop, a proper thank you for those who want to support me in a bigger way. 🙏

Your membership supports me with the development of new artistic work and creative projects, helping me to take my practice further. But whether you’re a paid or free subscriber, just being here matters. , and I’m so grateful for it. Thank you. 😊

Other ways to support me

If a paid membership isn’t the right fit but you’d still like to support my free offerings, you can buy me a coffee/pencil here

Or simply commenting, liking posts, or joining in the community chat is a powerful form of encouragement. Every bit of support helps me reach more people.

I’m planning some one-off workshops, small group sessions, and maybe little critique gatherings,. These will be one-off paid sessions, not included in the membership, so you can dip in and out as it suits you. Subscribers and members will be the first to hear about these sessions.

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Here’s what members are saying about the Creative Flock:

Such an inspiring and supportive creative community - so refreshing to see creativity through different lenses! - Theresa

I love the Creative Flock! Emma gently guides us through the seasons, and it’s great to be part of a community of like minded people who love to connect with nature and each other through art. - Nicole

I’ve really loved being apart of Emma’s community, I can count on it being warm, inviting and supportive regardless of where I’m at with my work. It’s a space I’ve been grateful for and one that’s helped me keep moving forward. I’ve loved the show and shares and drawing sessions. - Bec

The Creative Flock is a great place to be. Art and a love for nature, with emphasis on the different seasons is a perfect combination for me. I love seeing Emma’s own art and process, but also enjoy replays of the live sessions and collaborations with other artists. Emma has created a wonderful welcoming and supportive community where everyone can feel at home. - Evelyne

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Making this space accessible

I offer a number of free subscriptions each month to students and anyone who is in need of this space but can’t take on the financial commitment. Please drop me a line if this is something you need, all requests will be held in confidence - contact@emmacarpendale.co.uk

This is a space for those who like to take the scenic route through life.

Everyone is welcome, but if you’re drawn to a slower, gentler pace, you’ll feel right at home. There’s no pressure to keep up, no daily content or expectation to draw every week. You can dip into replays when it suits you, and I’m always happy to share ideas if you’d like to explore further.

In keeping with this slower rhythm, Creative Flock will take roost at certain points during the year. I’ll always give notice, and memberships will be paused, an invitation for you to rest and reset, too.

I look forward to connecting and creating art together! 😊