Online with Sophie Mckay Knight: A Creative Christmas: Art, Inspiration & Card Design

Join Sophie for a festive three-week course looking at how art history can inspire your own unique Christmas card designs.

Each week you will explore how artists from different periods have explored themes such as Angels, winter flowers & foliage and Christmas myths and legends. Taking inspiration from beautiful works of art ranging from medieval manuscripts and Renaissance paintings to more modern art movements, we’ll explore ideas for imagery, colour, pattern, symbolism and decorative detail.

During each session, Sophie will guide you through a series of drawing and creative exercises to help you generate ideas and develop your own visual language. You’ll then have the opportunity to take your ideas away and work on your designs in your own time between sessions. After each class, you’ll receive a PDF with images, inspiration and practical guidance to help you continue developing your work at home.

No previous experience of drawing or card-making is necessary. The focus is on exploring ideas and developing your own designs at your own pace, before transferring or adapting your artwork onto blank cards to create a collection of personal, handmade Christmas cards. By the end of the three weeks, you’ll have a set of festive designs that you can continue to develop and share with friends and family.

Week 1 Thursday 19th November 4-5PM: Angels & Celestial Dreams Angels, winged figures, stars, moons and heavenly imagery through art history.

Week 2 Thursday 26th November 4-5PM: Winter Gardens Flowers, foliage, berries and birds, drawing inspiration from William Morris and the Arts & Crafts tradition.

Week 3 Thursday 3rd December 4-5PM: Winter Myths & Legends Jack Frost, the Snow Queen, elves, woodland spirits and other characters from Christmas and winter folklore.

All levels welcome - We'd love to see you there!

Materials

Sketchbook or A4 drawing pad

Drawing pencils

Black fineliner pens

Eraser and pencil sharpener

Coloured pencils or watercolours

Ruler

Scissors and glue stick

Blank Christmas cards and envelopes - preferably white, cream or lightly

coloured

Tracing paper

HB pencil for transferring designs

Phone or camera for photographing your artwork

Optional: metallic gold or silver pens, white gel pen, decorative