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Blog archive

2026
/ Jan 2026
A hand holding an A5 sketchbook open over a pool with reflections of trees. The landscape sketch by Emma Bolton is of a turquoise ocean, pink sand and greenery in the foreground.

The Sunshine Coast

Spend the day at the beach with me
2026
/ Jan 2026
A watercolour painting of the pomegranate fountain in central Granada by Emma Bolton on a background of leaves.

Fuente de las Granadas

Painting Granada's pomegranate fountain
2026
/ Jan 2026
A white woman wearing glasses and a denim jacket is smiling at the camera. In the distance is the Alhambra palace and Granada.

A different kind of year in review

Celebrating the moments that made 2025 meaningful
2025
/ Nov 2025
A dark grey bird with its yellow beak open and wings outspread is perched on the end of a mossy log. Small feathers in jewel greens and purples cover its back.

Starling House

A review of Alix E. Harrow's 2023 gothic fantasy novel
2025
/ Nov 2025
Watercolour sketch by Emma Bolton of Carolina Bouquet flower stand in Bib Rambla, Granada. Behind the stand are lush trees and a tall white apartment block under a cobalt sky.

Conversations with strangers in Spanish

Reflecting on day 1 of our 2025 Granada Sketching Retreat
2025
/ Oct 2025
Watercolour painting of two tourists with their backs to the viewer, and their dog, at Montserrat in Spain by emma bolton.

Montserrat

Painting the monastery and monoliths at one of Catalonia's most iconic sites.
2025
/ Sep 2025
Watercolour painting of three people sitting on the edge of a grey wall looking over a terracotta roof to the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada by Emma Bolton.

Mirador de San Nicolás

Painting Granada's most iconic view of the Alhambra
2025
/ Sep 2025
Watercolour painting of the entrance to Parc Güell in Barcelona by emma bolton, the corresponding print, and colour swatches.

Painting Parc Güell

Getting inspired by Gaudí's architecture in Barcelona
2025
/ Aug 2025
A copy of the book Mujeres que arden by María Esclapez on a wooden background. The book has a black cover with gold and pink details.

Women who burn: reading my first novel in Spanish

2025
/ Aug 2025
A gouache sketch of an entryway with mint green walls, a tiled staircase, plants and a wooden window and door. An edge cutter and a white card with plant illustrations.

An ode to home

2025
/ Jul 2025
Watercolour sketch of various sketching materials, including a sketchbook, watercolour palette, water brush and microfibre cloth on a dark pink background.

How to start travel sketching

Key things to consider before, during and after your trip to help you start to develop your own travel sketching practice. Plus, download your travel sketching kit.
2025
/ Jul 2025
View of a beautiful white palace on the side of a hill under a blue sky. It's surrounded by greenery.

The point of travel

What I want to do when I visit you in your city