Welcome, wild hearted creative, to The Sketchbook Sanctuary

This is a safe space for artists ready to honour their unique journey and create with sustainable compassion and curiosity, with practical wildlife art guidance from an artist who understands both the challenges and the magic of creating.

Come, sit here beside me on this gorgeous mossy rock under this grand old tree, and sink your toes deep into the soft herbs we're surrounded by. Let's create a sanctuary in our sketchbooks together, and talk about all the real stuff that comes along with being a creative human being.

I am so glad you found us.

What is The Sketchbook Sanctuary?

In a nutshell? Wildlife art guidance for real life. This is where practical techniques meet the beautifully full-bodied human animal experience of making art.

Your sketchbook is your sanctuary - a safe space where you can be present to the magic of creating. Here, pencil meeting paper isn't just about technique; it's about the whole experience of being alive and connected to the wild world around us.

We honour the truth that art-making engages your entire being - your breathing, your posture, your capacity on any given day, your emotional landscape. Creating is an embodied practice, and we get to be present to all of it.

Whether you're new to wildlife art or have been drawing for years, big feelings come up. Questions, fears, doubts, and moments of pure joy. These don't get talked about enough.

Here, we talk about the real things it takes to be an artist: the mindsets, self-trust, compassion, and grounding. (But we make beautifully connected art while we do it.)

What you get with your free subscription:

✏️ Weekly artist-to-artist wisdom - honest conversations about the creative life, mindset work, and practical wildlife art guidance

✏️ More than 20 free tutorials - a growing library of wildlife art lessons to build your skills and confidence

✏️ Permission and encouragement - to work your way, at your pace, honouring your capacity

✏️ Real talk about creativity - the struggles, the magic, and everything in between from someone who's walking this path too

Wild Wanderings - Paid Subscription ($10/month)

Welcome to your wildly creative wandering space.

Each month, explore a curated tutorial from my complete wildlife art library - with three full months to practice, return, and make the techniques your own. Take your time, explore at your pace, and let curiosity guide your journey.

What Wild Wanderings includes:

• Monthly tutorial access from across my course library (Drawn to Wild, Hedgerow content, The Wild Sketchbook, and more)

• Three months to explore and practice each lesson - no rush, no pressure

• Variety and surprise - you never know what corner of wildlife art we'll explore next

• Comment access to ask questions and share insights on each tutorial

Perfect for artists who want to sample my teaching style, explore different techniques, or continue learning at a slow and intentional pace without the commitment of a full course.

Who am I?

I'm Natalie, a wildlife artist, teacher, and advocate for sustainable creativity. After years of developing my own artistic practice while navigating chronic illness, I've learned that creativity works best when it honours our whole selves - our animal bodies, our varying capacities, and our deep need for connection to the wild world.

My work has been featured in exhibitions and published books, and my teaching focuses on realistic wildlife art that comes from a place of curiosity, compassion, and reciprocity with the natural world. But more than technique, I'm passionate about helping artists build practices that sustain them for life.

I believe:

• You are an inherently creative being

• Your sketchbook is your sanctuary - a safe space for exploration

• Creativity should fit your real life

• Every artist deserves support, encouragement, and practical guidance

• Art is a way of connecting more deeply with the wild world we're part of

Ready to create your sanctuary?

Grab a sketchbook. Grab your favourite supplies. Let's make art together. Let's celebrate the beauty we see, the beauty we make, and the beauty held within our wild creative hearts.

Whether you're here for the weekly wisdom, ready to wander through my tutorial library, or simply seeking a safe space to honour your creative journey - you belong here.

Your creative path, your pace, your way.

Questions? Just reply to any email - I love hearing from fellow artists on this wild creative journey.