Happy 2020 everyone! Are you ready for this to be the year you embrace nature and learn a new skill? Take back your time and get outside, outside of your 9-5.
From botanical illustration, spoon carving, to stencil lettering, there are so many incredible classes you can join or video tutorials to watch to start the next 365 days right. So, what will it be for you? What do you dream of making in your spare time? Hopefully, we can inspire you with our artists, who all have incredible Instagram profiles showcasing their amazing work.
Botanical Illustration with Sara Boccaccini Meadows
We're honoured to have Sara Boccacini Meadows' botanical illustration video tutorial on our site. Learn how to paint foraged botanicals in this fantastic style as Sara guides you through every stage of her illustration process – from collecting wildflowers, her approach to painting, the materials she uses, colour choices and the painting process itself.
Sara takes inspiration from nature and the intricate details in her everyday surroundings to create unique and quirky illustrations. She has worked with top fashion brands, including Zara, H&M, DKNY and Urban Outfitters.
Wreath Making with Bex Partridge of Botanical Tales
Having quit her job a year ago to work on Botanical Tales, Bex now spends her times creating these beautiful floral displays using all-natural materials.
In this tutorial she allows us into her studio (and around her allotment) for a day of foraging, drying, cutting and designing to show us how she goes about making a seasonal botanical wreath. Bex takes you through every stage of the process, giving you the skills for you to create your own bespoke piece to suit any home or personality.
Botanical Embroidery with Olga Prinku
The creator of botanical embroidery takes you into her own studio to master this beautiful and original craft – from Olga’s approach to foraging for flowers, to her techniques when creating these beautiful works of art. This comprehensive tutorial film takes you through every stage of the process and guides you every step of the way. Whether buying dried flowers or finding and drying your own, the results are fantastic and can be designed to suit any home or colour palette.
Spoon Carving with Giles Newman
One of the world's best spoon carvers takes you into his own forest to master the essentials of carving – from tips on foraging for the best materials, to his techniques to create beautiful carvings.
Whether new to carving or already on the road, this tutorial offers so many techniques and tips that any level of craftsman will find it indispensable.
Stencil Lettering with James Lewis
Lettering artist James Lewis gives us a 3D stencil lettering tutorial based on a custom font, designed specifically for Illuminated Shadows.
A renowned typographer who teaches workshops all over the world, James allowed us into his studio to tell us some of his tips on creating his artworks, and how his techniques could be applied anywhere to create anything.
Vegan Recipes with Christina Leopold from Addicted To Dates
Learn how to create five delicious vegan breakfasts, including - comforting, sweet blueberry breakfast muffins, a refreshing and vibrant raspberry chia pudding, an indulgent and energy-filled chocolate and peanut butter shake, a nutritious and filling scrambled tofu and avocado wrap and the divine glazed pineapple crepes.
These dishes are delicious and can open your eyes to a whole new world of breakfast ideas.
Whether vegan or not, these recipes can brighten up your mornings and kick start each day.
We shot this tutorial with Christina and so were treated to these fantastic breakfasts every morning for a week! We can honestly say that we felt energised, healthy and above all else, excited to wake up each day to a new and exciting vegan feast.