Make Your Mark 

with Erin Byrne

Would you like to learn the art of expressive mark-making? In this new exciting series, Erin Byrne will be demonstrating new experimental techniques in real-time to help you refresh your own art practice, find your unique ‘mark- making’ voice and connect with other creatives online.

Come and get inky in this experimental mark- making series which includes live demonstrations from artist Erin Byrne to help open up your creativity, reduce stress, encourage play and connect with your intuition.

Together we will explore mark-making and action painting techniques with unconventional tools and materials at different scales. By the end of the series you will come away with your own handmade sketchbook, mark- making compositions, collage papers and new skills ready to use at home.

We are sure that many of these wonderful techniques will be so easily applied to any creative photography approaches you are interested in, such as layering/textures/composites, etc. However - these sessions are also designed to promote an open approach to art and increase your confidence and skills.

All levels of experience welcome.

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SERIES OUTLINE:

Session 1: Introduction to Expressive Mark-Making

Saturday 13th September 2025 11am-12pm

We will discuss what mark-making is and why it is important for both you and your artwork - including the emotional power of the mark. The session also will cover the importance of mark-making in art history, give an introduction to tools and different surfaces and substrates to make marks on.  

Real- time/ live demo (40 min):

• Exploring marks using pencils, pens, inks and brushes.

• Warm-up exercises: pressure, speed, rhythm

• Fill a sketchbook page with spontaneous marks

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Session 2: Gesture and Movement

Saturday 27th September 2025 11am-12pm

In this session will cover how physical movement affects mark-making, gesture drawing and body-led expression as well as the connection between movement, music, and marks.

Real- time/ live demo (40 min):

• Standing drawing 

• Drawing to music – fast and slow tempo

• Blind drawing and non-dominant hand exercise

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Session 3: Tools and Unconventional Materials

Saturday 11th October 2025 11am-12pm

In this session we will think outside the box by expanding our toolkit and explore using twigs, credit cards, sponges, feathers as mark- making tools. We will also look at surface interactions with paint, ink and water using paper, cardboard and fabric. In this session we will consider how to embrace unpredictability and accidents in our work and shake off the burden of perfectionism.

Real- time/ live demo (40 min):

• Demonstrate mark-making with unconventional tools

• Layering textures with wet and dry media

• Exploratory surface preparation

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Session 4: Emotional Expression through Marks

Saturday 25th October 2025 11am-12pm

In this session we will delve into visual communication through marks, i.e. how to convey mood and emotion via texture, rhythm and line using visual metaphors and mark psychology. We will also look at how to avoid becoming figurative or illustrative – and instead convey pure feeling through abstraction.

Real- time/ live demo (40 min):

• Making marks to convey different emotions(e.g., joy, anger, calm)

• Discussing colour choices, layers and line quality including acrylic glazes and smudging

• Using contrast e.g. ‘silence vs. noise’, ‘big vs. small’, ‘freeform vs. repetitive’ in mark layers

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Session 5: Working at scale and in series

Saturday 8th November 2025 11am-12pm

This week we will be scaling up, using large rolls of decorators lining paper and using the whole body. We will introduce the idea of thinking in series, developing your own visual language and using mark-making as meditation, a personal ritual or daily practice.

Real- time/ live demo (40 min):

• Create a large piece on large rolls of decorator’s lining paper

• Use repetition and variation to build cohesion

• Discuss composition and balance in abstract work

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Session 6: Integration and Personal Style

Saturday 22nd November 2025 11am-12pm

This final session will be a chance to look back and reflect on learned techniques. We will be identifying personal marks and tendencies, helping to understand what you like and what marks you enjoy so you can continue to evolve a personal mark-making language at home.

Real- time/ live demo (40 min):

• Final piece combining all previous techniques

• Layering, erasing, scratching, contrasting mark types

• Use this final composition to create a unique bound cover for your own simple handmade sketchbook in which to continue your mark- making journey.

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MATERIALS LIST:

• A4 or A3 loose cartridge/ mixed media paper or pad (220gsm+)

• Pencils (2B, 6B), charcoal, ballpoint pen, ink pen

• Graphite stick or pencil crayon

• Eraser (regular and kneaded)

• Roll of decorator’s lining paper 

• Indian ink

• Large hog haired decorators brushes

• A variety of brushes: Small, round, square brushes

• Feathers, string, grasses, twigs 

• Masking tape

• Cutting mat, metal ruler and craft knife

• Water jar & rag (for blending)

• Glass jars of plastic jugs to water down inks

• Kitchen/ paper towel

Real – time/ live demonstrations

Each session we will have a 40min live session where you can participate in live demonstrations with Erin Byrne, where you'll witness her art techniques in real-time and have the opportunity to ask questions and hear feedback. 

Sharing Board: 

The sessions will be accompanied by a digital ‘Sharing Board’ where you can post images of you work, share comments and ideas in response to each session.

Optional guides: 

Each session will be supported by a detailed, optional guide to further consolidate the learning from the session. 

Exclusive Insights: 

Gain exclusive insights into Erin Byrne's creative process including using sketchbooks, making marks with unconventional tools and materials at different scales.

Why Join a LEARN? 

Expert teaching: Benefit from Erin Byrne's extensive experience and guidance throughout the series. 

Interactive Learning: Enjoy a dynamic and interactive learning environment that encourages experimentation and growth. 

Community Engagement: Connect with a community of passionate creatives, share your progress, and gain inspiration from others. 

Flexible Access: Learn at your own pace with access to recorded sessions and downloadable resources. This series will be available to watch for 12 months after the final session has ended. Therefore, October 2026.

ABOUT ERIN

Erin Byrne is a painter/printmaker based in Kent. After 15 years working in architecture and urban design Erin decided two years ago to leave her job as an Architect and focus on her deepest passion – Fine Art. Erin currently works in the Visual Arts department at Canterbury College, runs freelance art workshops in London and Kent focussing on experimental printmaking, collage and painting and collaborates with local community organisations to increase access to the arts. 

Erin is inspired by the sensory play of light in architecture and landscape and when making her work, she loves to let incidental distortion, patternation and abstraction inform the outcome. Erin also loves to mix painterly aspects of traditional and digital print methods in her work including mono- screenprinting, monotype, linocut and digital Giclee printing.

Erin is also interested in how mark- making, mindfulness and self- expression can positively impact mental health, her main objective in teaching is to help participants find their creative side, learn new techniques, loosen up and most importantly - have fun!

Check out Erin’s work here:

Website: www.erinbyrne.co.uk

Instagram: @erinbyrne_artist

Facebook: Erin Byrne - Art