We all know that sinking feeling as you stare at a blank white page with no idea where to start or what to draw…

Well, over in the Online Art Group the brilliant Gemma Dunnell decided to tackle this age old problem head on, arming us with a brand new technique for when we just feel a bit stuck.

Together we built ‘prompt pots’, packed full of all of the things that inspire us, to select ideas at random, and give ourselves strict, short, timed slots to quickly get something out on the page – no matter how weird and wacky! It was such a brilliant way to loosen ourselves up, but also to really think about the things we all individually look to for inspiration.

Gemma then asked us to do this on a bigger, more playful scale in our next session as we collated our own Cabinets of Curiosities within the pages of our sketchbooks; carefully gathering little groups of cherished objects from around our homes or studios, thinking about the stories they tell, and beginning to translate that onto the page using shape and colour. 

Through using our self-made books as our frames, Gemma has really encouraged us to connect with material, subject, space, colour and action – giving us skills and techniques that stretch far beyond the boundaries of the sketchbook.

We’re also very excited to share that Gemma Dunnell will be with us for a little longer in the Online Art Group, seeing us right through Spring with a new batch of sessions running from March to May.

Join Gemma for a brand new course of at-home printmaking sessions with Online Art Group!

19 March – Session 1: Lino printing
An introduction to at-home printing to equip everyone with the skills needed for the course, and a beginner friendly lino printing technique to kick spark a love of printmaking.

02 April Session 2: Trace Monotype Printing
Monotype printing – drawing onto an inked up surface to create line based designs. We will experiment with different ways of doing this, and adding elements like coloured tissue paper to add variation and colour.

16 April Session 3: Masking Tape Relief Prints
This relief print technique uses masking tape to create fun and textured designs! We will go through the process of making a print together, and experiment with using different ways of cutting or ripping the tape to make different designs

07 May Session 4: Tetrapak Etching Printmaking
For this final session, we will be using tetra pak as a material for making our relief prints. This printmaking technique is inspired by traditional etching printmaking

Join us twice a month for creative sessions, delivered online by a range of exciting artists. Keeping creativity as accessible as possible – either join us live or watch back in your own time.

No experience needed, new members welcome at any time. Free spaces available for Somerset residents – donations welcome.

First and third Wednesdays 6.30 – 7.30pm on Facebook Live. Plus recordings.
Contact Emily for more information and bookings: admin@somersetartworks.org.uk
www.somersetartworks.org.uk

With thanks to funding support in 2025 from Somerset Community Foundation and Arts Council England

images: group members and the lead artists