Karen Sharp - Creative Writer

06/06/2026

I’ve always found drawing people one of the biggest challenges… especially getting body proportions right 😅 However, something finally clicked during this part of the course💡

It’s actually really exciting, because one of my long-term goals is to create a second edition of my first book, A Pot Of Joy… and illustrate it with the skills I’m developing now. This class has definitely moved me a step closer to that ✨

Still lots to learn, but I’ll absolutely be coming back to these techniques in future drawingsand I can’t wait to see how much I improve 🤓

30/05/2026

Excuse the high up window and tiny door 😂

This was the part of the course where we learnt about perspective and vanishing points 🌅

I know I will refer back to this a lot and really enjoyed the level of learning and the understanding I've gained in doing this task.

27/05/2026

I promised I’d share the imperfect, messy artwork too… so here it is 👀

This horse is definitely that! Unfinished, a bit all over the place.

But honestly? I’ve learnt A LOT.

This week we used a grid method to enlarge an image, breaking it down into smaller, more manageable sections. And it really got me thinking…
Because this is exactly how I try to approach life 🙃
When something feels big, overwhelming, or a bit scary, I break it down and do it anyway. One small piece at a time. And if it doesn’t work? Try, try again. Turns out, this technique works very well with my slightly chaotic brain 😂

Instead of forcing it, I’m going to come back and try again, with fresh eyes 👀

I’ve already learnt a new way to keep smudging to a minimum and my page a lot cleaner… so watch this space!

Progress over perfection, always ✨

21/05/2026

I've been a bit quiet on social media lately because I've been sooo busy 🐝 but I’ve been buzzing away in the background!

I've been...

📕 Preparing to publish my 4th book
🎨 Attending a fabulous art course to develop my illustration skills with The Seasons Art Class Hedge End & Wickham
🩰 Teaching dance at Starz Ballet
🎭 Getting ready for show day (which was an absolute blast this weekend!)

Aaaaand... I’ve landed my first paid writing job! 🥳

I’m going to start sharing some of my art course work with you lovely people 🤩

Some of it feels a bit cringey, but I’m sharing it anyway… because a year ago I could barely draw a stick person!

Therefore I’m proud of ALL my work. Cringey, messy, and everything in between, because it shows progress, and I’m really enjoying the journey.

So, here’s my cup and saucer from week 1 ☕️
I used a technique called “setting a ground,” then lifted highlights with a rubber and built up shading with pencil before blending.

13/01/2026

Thank you again itchenvalleycountrypark for letting me display my books in your reading area. Book 3 is now available to see and a nice fresh copy of books 1 and 2. It was lovely to see my first copies so well read. 📚 🥰

10/01/2026

Congratulations to Andi of dadda_n_daddy on the release of his first book! 🥳 This is going firmly on the favourites shelf in our house ❤️
A fantastic lesson about inclusivity wrapped up in this beautiful children’s book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

19/11/2025