Exploring Pencil
Get your sketchbooks out, grab those pencils and let's get sketchingÂ
If you're struggling to find time to sketch, or feeling a little frustrated with your pencil work, Exploring Pencil takes you on a proper journey, from your very first marks on the page through to confident, considered sketching. Across six themed sections and close to 30 lessons, you'll explore pencils in more ways than you thought possible.
A comprehensive, gentle deep dive into pencil sketching, built to boost your confidence and bring a little fun back into your practice.
A peek inside
Take a look at what's waiting for you inside Exploring Pencil
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What's included?
Exploring Pencil is a full, practical online sketchbook course designed to take you from your first tentative marks to confident, expressive pencil sketching.
Inside you'll discover:
- Six themed sections, each exploring pencils in a different way - from your first marks to confident, considered sketching
- Mark-making exercises that remove the fear of the blank page
- A full grounding in tone, texture, doodling, line work, and three-dimensional form
- Dedicated practice lessons, including still life, seasonal subjects, and your favourite object explored four different ways
- Techniques using a full range of pencils, from hard grades through to soft graphite
- A closing bonus section, including a studio tour with me
Each lesson builds your confidence while encouraging experimentation and helping you enjoy the process of sketching.
Throughout the course, you'll explore different pencil techniques through simple, creative exercises that fit easily into everyday life.
Instant access - plus the lessons are yours to revisit whenever you like.
Join the courseYour journey with pencils
See the humble pencil in a whole new light
Introduction and Welcome
We begin with a warm introduction to the course, the materials you'll need, and how to get the most from the course.
Tone, Texture & Mark-Making
Every good sketch starts with understanding your tools.
You'll explore the different grades of pencil, discover how hardness and softness affect your marks, and begin experimenting with quick gestures and expressive mark-making. These simple exercises loosen up your sketching while building confidence in the materials you're using.
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Doodling & Line Drawing
Pencil isn't just for careful outlines.
In this section we'll explore how different marks can communicate mood, movement and emotion. You'll discover how changing pressure, speed and line quality can completely transform the feel of a sketch.
Drawing 3D Shapes
Understanding how shapes work in three dimensions is the foundation of confident drawing.
Through a series of practical exercises, you'll learn to see simple forms, understand perspective, add depth, and turn basic shapes into convincing three-dimensional objects - giving you a stronger sense of structure to bring to everything you sketch.
Pencil Drawing Practise
Confidence with pencils comes from understanding how they behave and learning to use them with intention.
You'll explore different approaches to pencil drawing, from tone and texture to mark, pressure and detail. These practices will help you build your skills, strengthen your drawing foundations, and feel more comfortable expressing yourself on the page.
Thank You & Well Done
A warm closing to the course that celebrates how far you've come and points you gently toward what comes next in your sketching journey. Because this really is just the beginning.
Exploring Pencil
ÂŁ75
Most Popular
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Instant access to all 6 modules
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Nearly 30 lessons to work through at your own pace
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Yours to revisit whenever you like
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Three bonus lessons included
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Email support
- A supportive sketching community to share your work
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 Ready to sketch?
Finding time to sketch can often feel like the biggest obstacle.
This course proves that a real, comprehensive pencil education doesn't need to feel overwhelming. Six themed sections guide you gently from your very first marks through to confident, considered sketching, at whatever pace suits your life.
By the end of the course, you'll have a sketchbook full of experiments, a real understanding of your materials, and the confidence to approach every blank page with curiosity rather than hesitation.
Join the course today for instant access to all six sections. Â
"I think my definition of what a sketch is has changed. I used to think it had to be a realistic pencil drawing of something, but I've seen many examples of others' sketches that made me realise it can take many forms!
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Lucy, Doodler
"Thank you for this course! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and loved having a pencil in my hand again"
M. Bingle
Is this course for you?Â
Whether you're completely new to sketching or simply want to rediscover the joy of it, this comprehensive pencil course offers an approachable way to build real confidence with pencils.
This course is for you if:
- You struggle to find time for sketching
- You'd like to use your pencils in more creative ways
- Blank sketchbook pages feel intimidating
- You want to build a regular sketching habit at your own pace, without pressure
- You enjoy experimenting and learning through playful exercises
- You'd love to sketch with more confidence and less self-criticism
No previous experience is needed - just a sketchbook, a few pencils, and a willingness to explore.
Hi, I'm Susan.
I'm a sketchbook mentor, author, and educator who has spent over fifteen years teaching people to find their creative practice and keep it.
My approach is warm, unhurried, and non-prescriptive: there's no right way to do this, and there's nothing you can get wrong.
I believe a regular sketching practice is one of the most grounding things you can give yourself, and the humble pencil is one of the most joyful ways in.
"As an artist, I know how easy it is to get away from the simple practice of just sitting down with a pencil and sketchbook. Exploring Pencil has helped me regain confidence in my sketching and, even more importantly, find a new way to think about building a daily sketching practice. One of the things I love most about learning from Susan is that she continually reminds me that simple is a good thing. I don't need a pile of supplies, a big idea or hours of time. I can pick up a pencil, make some marks and begin."Â
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Amy Murray, Artist, 2026
Why join me?Â
Pencils are wonderfully simple, but they can also be incredibly expressive.
Throughout this course, I'll guide you through six themed sections that help you understand your pencils, experiment with different techniques, and develop confidence one page at a time.
Every lesson is a short video that you can pause, rewind, and revisit whenever you like. There are no deadlines, no pressure to create perfect sketches, and no right or wrong way to complete the exercises.
Instead, this course is about making time for creativity, enjoying the process of sketching, and discovering just how much is possible with the humble pencil.
By the end of the course, you'll have more than a collection of completed sketchbook pages - you'll have a fresh enthusiasm for drawing and the confidence to keep exploring long after the course is over.
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Everyone’s journey is different. Find the right package for you:
A Little Something Extra...
Additional BONUSESÂ included in your course at no extra cost
Bonus 1
Susan's Sketching & Creativity Reading List
A curated collection of Susan's favourite books on sketching, drawing and creativity, gathered from her own bookshelves and shared as inspiration to dip into alongside the course.
Bonus 2
A Behind-the-Scenes Studio Tour with Susan
A peek behind the scenes into Susan's creative space, where she works, what she keeps to hand, and how her studio reflects the way she thinks about sketching and creativity.
Bonus 3
Ebook: How to Build a Daily Sketching Habit
A free 16-page ebook packed with mindset advice, practical tips and exercises to help you fall in love with your sketchbook again and build a sketching habit that sticks.
What you'll needÂ
The materials list for this course is super-simple, and mainly involves pencils!
- A sketchbook or loose sheets of paper
- A range of pencils, ideally spanning from hard (H-8H) to soft (B-8B). My favourite is a 2B pencil - which is what I will use for a lot of the exercises.
- A mechanical pencil (optional)
- A pencil sharpener
- An eraser
- Scissors
- Hairspray or a fixative spray (optional)
Throughout the course, various everyday objects will also be used as subjects - these are listed under each individual lesson.
14-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
If you aren’t completely satisfied with your course, let us know within the first 14-days for a full refund. No questions asked.
How long will I have access to the course?
Is this suitable for beginners?
Can I start at any time?
Can I watch on different devices?
I have a question, how can I contact you?
What is the Inspire Membership?
