We’ve been having a brilliant time over in the Online Art Group playing with line and colour in Gemma Dunnell’s sketchbooking sessions. We had to leave all our expectations and inhibitions at the door as Gemma walked us through the idea of blind and continuous line drawings. Using a series of reference images, we let our thinking minds have a break whilst our eyes and hands did the work.

It was such a joyful session, with every single one of us surprising ourselves at how much we liked the results, and how freeing it was to remove reflection and judgement from the drawing process. Gemma’s really helping us become more comfortable with using our sketchbooks for play and action, getting work out onto the page without fear or hesitation.

Continuing with this theme of new ways of seeing, Gemma took us through a technique of simplifying images down into only colour. Starting by distilling down a colour palette, we began abstracting our drawings into shapes, with only colour for highlights, depth and detail. So many of the skills we’d learnt in the line drawing session were really useful for this, letting our eyes drift over the shapes, seeing the image in a more simplified way. 

Forthcoming dates with Gemma:
January 15 – one date only
February 5, 19

images: group members and the lead artist

You can find Gemma over on Instagram at @gemmasfunkyart

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Somerset Art Works – Online Art Group
Running throughout the year, first and third Wednesdays 6.30 – 7.30pm on Facebook Live.
Plus recordings to revisit at any time via the Facebook group page – take part at a time that suits you.
For Somerset residents – free places available (donations welcome).
New members welcome at any time.
With thanks to funding support in 2025 from Somerset Community Foundation and Arts Council England

Contact Emily for more information and bookings
admin@somersetartworks.org.uk