Artist: Claire Sparkes
This class is for all levels (no experience required).
Let your creativity flow using ink on Yupo paper. During this Masterclass we will be exploring some exciting textural mark-making techniques using water-proof black fibre-tip drawing pens on Yupo paper.
Our inspiration will be a secondary source photograph of a common British Frog or Toad. (Images will be supplied, or you may bring your own A4 printed image).
You will practice working dry & using water to create a range of textural effects, which will be applied to the subject during the class. The techniques & notes practiced will then be valuable references for other future projects.
Open to: Everyone! No experience required.
Where and when: 19th September 2026, 13:00 to 16:00 at Baptist Church, 135 Hill Road, Folkestone CT19 6LY. Free parking is available.
Materials List:
– fibre tip pens, eg size 0.3, 0.5 or 0.8 (E.g. Unipin,
Faber-Castell…)
– round brushes for watercolour, eg size 6 or 3
– a water jar
– some kitchen towel
– an A3 board
– masking tape
– A4 sheet tracing paper or baking parchment
– A4/ A3 Yupo paper (paper will be available)
– Materials for making textures. Clingfilm, baking paper, bubble wrap,
foil, salt, etc will be available but feel free to bring other materials
that may create some different textures
– Apron
– paper towel
Artist Biography:
Claire Sparkes is a, figurative artist. She studied a Fine Art Degree at the Liverpool Sir John Moores University, and a Masters Degree in Fine Art Painting at the University for Creative Arts in Canterbury.
She has exhibited regularly in London, other UK cities, and abroad in both group and solo exhibitions. Claire was elected a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours in 2019, and has also been a member of the Society of Graphic Fine Art since 2013.
She currently lives and works on the South East coast of England.
Claire regards drawing as fundamental to her artistic process, and places great importance on the continued development of her observational and mark-making skills. Techniques of drawing and painting interplay within her work. Claire’s narrative paintings primarily focus on people and the human condition, whilst also encompassing still life, interiors and landscape. At times her work crosses these boundaries interrelating and layering elements.