July Round-up - Birds Galore!

Discover the best of July in The Creative Flock + studio highlights

Hello! And if this is the first post you’re reading, welcome! I share these posts with all subscribers at the end of each month and it’s a lovely way to highlight all the things we’ve done in the membership and share some extra behind-the-scenes snippets.

To recap, July’s theme was Birds and I have loved spending time exploring and drawing one of my favourite subjects.

Here are some highlights from this month, some posts are available to all subscribers, and some are for paid members.

I hope you enjoy this round-up. I’ll announce the theme for August in my next post, stay tuned for details.

If you would like to check out the paid posts, here are the upgrade options - The Creative Flock Subscription options

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July highlights in The Creative Flock:

Live monthly session:

This was a special session as we live-streamed from Icarus Falconry in Northamptonshire where Emily, one of the expert bird-of-prey handlers, shared her extensive knowledge.

Thank you to everyone who contributed in this pay-what-you-can event, we raised £43.17 for the two birds-of-prey charities - Project Lugger, and Horstmann Trust.

Emily kindly used some of her fee to get some enrichment toys for the baby Vulture, here he is having a play and stretching his young wings out. he’s growing up fast!

Photos courtesy of Emily from Icarus Falcrony

Many of you did some excellent sketches, thank you to Ali Edwards, Emily Tull, Minnie Teckman and Andy Lang and

Sarah Lovell

for letting me share your work here.

Clockwise: Ali Edwards (image 1); Emily Tull (images 2-3); Minnie Teckman (images 5-6)

Video reel - Andy Lang

Rambo (Little Owl). By Sarah Lovell

Deep Deep Light Watercolours swatching and giveaway:

This month I shared the first swatching of Deep Deep Light Watercolours on a range of papers, watch the video to see which one came out as my favourite. It was a joy to unwrap these paints to test out and I’m excited to swatch more next month.

I also shared details of the giveaway which has had a brilliant response so far, keep the entries coming!

Free newsletter subscribers receive 10% off Deep Deep Light Watercolours using this code at checkout: emmacarpendale10

Paid members receive 15% off sitewide. The discount code will be sent to you in your welcome email, please check your inboxes after upgrading your subscription.

Drawing timelapse:

My plan this month was to film a time-lapse of me painting a bird with Deep Deep Light Watercolours. Instead, I filmed a mixed-media practice sketch of an owl before the birds-of-prey session. Sometimes, I have to go where my creative instincts lead so I hope you’ll forgive me but I promise to paint a bird in watercolours next month!

Co-Sketching session

We had two more co-sketching sessions this month, thank you to those who came along! I spent more time on this piece which I started during one of Emma Carlisles drawing sessions and wanted to continue with as I felt something good was emerging. I feel there’s a spooky story here that I might have to tease out..

I probably wouldn't have spent an extra hour on this drawings had I not blocked out that time, that’s what’s so good about co-working, it holds you accountable. Thank you Emma for introducing me to these!

There will be two free sessions in August for all Creative Flock subscribers, dates will be announced in the Welcome to August post which is coming up next.

Nature highlights from my neck of the woods..

July started with lots of rain and we’re now in a heatwave so my walking routine is out of kilter! However, when I have been out and about, I’ve come across lots of treasures..

Clockwise: Toadflax caterpillar; wild Arum; deserted birds nest; wild Chicory

When i’m not drawing or insect spotting i’m…

Reading:

Notebook, by

Tom Cox

Described by Cox as a mixtape for his readers, Notebook is a compilation of entries from his extensive journals. I was first hooked on his writing with Villager back in 2022 and have followed his Substack since I arrived here last year. I love his wit and humour and can relate to his fondness for wandering crumbling, deserted buildings and seeking out interdimensional portals

And finally..

Other sketching:

I joined another of

RAJ KAUR

brilliant co-swatch sessions this month which was a great excuse to work in my colour sketchbook and make a colour pallete using gouache. With the remaining paint I sketched a goldfinch.

I love these sessions, they’re the perfect excuse to play about with colour and gouache.

I also joined one of Sarah Dyer’s patreon sessions where we were drawing musicians.

Brighton meet-up!

And at the end of this month I went to Brighton for a meet-up with Sarah Dyer,

Beth Spencer

and

RAJ KAUR

! It was such a wonderful day, we chatted, drank coffee, ate cake and chilled out in the park and on the beach. I forgot to take any photos apart from this one of two beautiful gifts from Raj! ❤️

I did very little sketching as I was enjoying the conversation too much to be distracted from it, but I did draw some birds (of course).

How was your month? If it’s been a creative one, I’ve love to know what you’ve been working on.

And that’s a wrap for July! In my next post, I’ll share what’s in store for August. As always, thank you for your support here ❤️

If you want to go further with your support, or if you’d like full access to the membership, you can become a paid member of The Creative Flock in just a few clicks. Details of benefits here. Thank you x