“Paint the Gum Tree, Not the Willow”

For anyone who’s ever wondered if their art is right…
Let’s colour your sketchbook in a way only you. Create your gum-tree version, not someone else’s picture.

START YOUR JOURNEY HERE

They told me to paint a willow tree.

I couldn’t see the willow. I could only see the gum tree

Not to be rebellious. Because my heart couldn’t see the willow. It was the one I needed.

Your sketchbook (your companion) is where you stop asking “Is this right?”
and start trusting what calls to YOU.

The colours you see (that faded pink door in Portugal).
The colours you feel (blue today, because you need space).
The wonky flower that has more character than the perfect rose.
This is where doubt becomes trust.

Where blank pages become sketchbooks full of your world.

When every page starts with second-guessing

Your pages stay blank.

Not because you can’t paint.But because you don’t know if you’re doing it “right.”
You’ve followed the tutorials, matched the steps,
and your flower still doesn’t look like theirs.
Your colours don’t match the photo. So you stop.
Here’s the thing:
Your wonky flower has more character than the perfect rose.
Because it’s YOURS. In YOUR colours.

Find Your Journey

Choose how you want to come back to your art

FOLLOW 100-Day CHALLENGE

See this challenge unfold in realtime on Substack proof that wonky marks are YOUR style. Where I am sharing daily painting experiments, lot of colour play, ideas, tips and reflections. Follow along to see 100-day creative process and get tips and ideas for your next creative challenge.

Follow Along on Substack →

FILL YOUR PAGES WITH COLOUR

The Mushroom Course ($19)

My mushroom lessons is a popular lesson on colour layers with watercolour. Beginner friendly and and wether you you’re painting occasionally, want more “what do I paint next?”

Explore the Mushroom Class →

CREATIVE COMEBACK COACHING

I help offer creative coaching to help you release creative blocks, and deepen your creative practice with personal support and help build tiny habits.

Creative coaching 1:1→

Hey! I’m Susan

I used to think there was a ‘right’ way to paint. I stopped creating for a decade when life got full. Then grief and a 30-day challenge brought me back to an old sketchbook I hadn’t touched in 10 years, and everything changed. What began as a 30-day experiment turned into 100 days, a gum tree in a willow class, and a quiet creative comeback I didn’t see coming.

As an expressionist. not realistic artist, I believe your art isn’t about painting what you’re told is ‘right.’ It’s about trusting what YOU see and feel. The colours that call to you. The marks that feel like yours.

Now I help others do the same—fill their sketchbooks with confidence, curiosity, and creative freedom. Whether you’re starting fresh, coming back after years away, or stuck in the comparison trap, I’ll help you paint YOUR gum tree.

MORE ABOUT SUSAN

Love Notes

website pics testimonials flowers substack

I’ve always wanted to be able to draw….I’m quite proud of how this turned out.
I’ve never really tried to free hand draw before. But alas, I did! And it too me less than 10 minutes

Taylor Student from the FLOWER COURSE

I so loved day 1! First time doodler and first time drawing flowers.
The videos are great. So helpful. Thank you.

JaneStudent from the FLOWER COURSE

I’m really loving the whole thing – the playing about firt and practicing the shapes…
I very much enjoyed drawing the bluebells this morning too.

Zoe Student from the FLOWER COURSE

Not sure where to start?

NEW TO SKETCHBOOKS? START HERE.

YOUR CREATIVE WANDER STARTS HERE.

Grab the Creative Starter Menu