Draw Your Own Creative Journaling Practice

Description

Unlock a more mindful way of living through creative journaling using drawing. Led by Bristol-based former journalist-turned illustrator and graphic novelist Bex Gilbert. This is a workshop that helps you build a personalised journaling habit that works, even if you use it inconsistently. We will spend the day experimenting with fun, "anti-perfectionist" drawing methods proven to boost feel-good hormones and wellbeing, regardless of artistic experience.

Together, we will look at how creative journaling can help us feel more present in the moment, remember important experiences and process challenges. We will try out exercises that combine drawing and words to cultivate gratitude, help with decision-making and silence negative self-talk.

You will design your own custom page templates and develop a unique visual language, ensuring you leave with the confidence and structure to continue your journaling journey at home.

Bex was long-listed for the First Graphic Novel Award for her graphic novel Story of my life (with ADHD). Her workshop is suitable for everyone but may be particularly useful for people who identify as neurodivergent.

Materials List

• A sketchbook or journal: An A5 or A4 size with "Mixed Media" or heavy-weight paper (approx. 140gsm or higher) is recommended so it can handle light washes of ink or paint. I recommend Sea White Alternate Lined Travel Journal as it is affordable and has a mix of lined and plain pages.

• Drawing pens: A few black biros are fine. Alternatively, if you want to use paint or coloured pens, you can bring a few permanent ink fine-liners in different sizes (e.g., 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5).

• Colour medium: Whatever you are most comfortable with-this could be a small set of watercolour paints, a small tin of coloured pencils, or a limited palette of different coloured brush pens.
  
  NB: Keep your kit small and portable. Less is more. The "Personal" Kit.

• Found Ephemera: Bring a few bits of "life" to work with (e.g., a ticket stub, a dried flower, a receipt, or a snippet of a magazine).

• A glue stick and scissors: For creating layouts and adding textures.

Fees & Further Information

Fees

• You will need to have paid in full for your course or workshop to guarantee your place. We do offer an option to pay for your course or workshop in instalments, but you will need to have paid in full at least 14 days before your course or workshop start date to guarantee your place. The payment plan increments will depend on how far away the start date is. Courses and workshops are becoming increasingly popular, so please book early to guarantee your place.
• We do offer concession rates for anyone over 65, NHS staff (blue light cards), Students or claiming the benefits listed below. As we are a self-funded organisation we receive no financial support, in order to offer these rates.
• The concessionary rate is for those whose sole source of income is from a state benefit. We accept Universal Credit, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance. Please show a recent letter or statement stating your benefit when enrolling.

Refunds

• In the event that we have to cancel a course, we aim to inform you 2 working days before the start date, or at least 24 hours before a day workshop. If we have to cancel a course, then you will receive a full credit note or refund.
• If you wish to cancel your place you must inform us up to 14 days before the start date of your course or workshop. In this case you will receive a refund minus a 15% admin fee.
• If you give us less than 14 days notice, or your course or workshop has already started a refund will be not given.

Please see full terms and conditions for more information.

Latecomer

If a course has already started, please call the office as it may be possible to join after the start date. This may only be possible if the course is not already full, if it is not disruptive for the other students and you are aware that you have missed a percentage of the course and the tutor will not have time to catch you up. This will be at the discretion of the Folk House. We run our courses termly, so it might be best to start at the beginning of the course.

Levels

• You must be over 18 years old to attend a course or workshop at the Bristol Folk House.
• All our courses and workshops are non-accredited and will not receive a certificate for attending.
• We offer a range of courses at all levels and our tutors make every effort to accommodate your individual needs. Before choosing you may want to speak to the tutor to make sure the course is right for you. Please contact the office.
• To join all of our courses you must be able to follow written and verbal instructions and you may be invited to take part in group discussions. Please look at the rest of the course outline carefully to decide if you may benefit from any additional support to help you to take part in this class. Please contact the office if you require any further information.
• If you have a disability, learning difficulty or mental health issue which may affect your participation in your chosen course please contact the office prior to enrolling. If you will need to bring a career or support worker with you to the class, please inform the office when enrolling so we can make arrangements.

Access/ Parking

• Much as we would like to provide access for all, the Folk House has no level access or accessible facilities. This is something we are working on but it will take several years to complete - check our website for more details.
• We have no onsite car parking at the Bristol Folk House but there are many paid parking spots in the area. Please ask us for details on parking or see our website for more detail.
• We are on a busy bus route and have plenty of bike racks in our courtyard garden.