Join artist Vanessa Gray for a series of fun and unique workshops that encourage kids to explore their creativity through drawing. Click the button below to find out more and to book.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: DOGS IN CARTOONS

Thank you for visiting my workshop page. I had to make the difficult decision to cancel Dogs in Cartoons, which was planned for Friday 21st August 2026. Unfortunately, I did not receive enough bookings to deliver this workshop as intended. If you were planning to book, I am very sorry for this change and for any trouble it may cause. I want to provide a great experience for everyone, which would not have been possible with the lack of bookings on this occasion.

It has been an absolute pleasure to have run successful workshops over the school summer holidays. The interest, engagement and feedback from families has been amazing. I look forward to Dogs in Cartoons having it’s debut at a later point in time.

More workshops will be scheduled. To keep up to date on all the latest, please sign up to my artist newsletter via the button below.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Sign Up Here

What Workshop Participants Are Saying

““My daughters attended the Mythical Manga creatures workshop yesterday and it was brilliant. They really enjoyed it. Vanessa our teacher was very calm and kind with the children and her teaching was inspiring.”

Dorothy Hughes

“Vanessa held a brilliant illustration workshop! The boys really enjoyed it!.”

Ceridwen

“Vanessa was an amazing teacher – calm, patient and knowledgeable. She took time to explain clearly each part and my 7 year old (and me) learnt a lot!”

Roxy McNamara-Francis

Art Workshops

Creating bespoke creative workshops, I enjoy bringing out the best in all my participants through a relaxed and friendly approach.

If you are interested in me planning and delivering a workshop, or series of workshops at your venue, cultural organisation or community setting, please reach me via email. This can be found on my contact page, or by clicking the button below.

Get In Touch

What I Do

  • Mythical Manga

    Manga and anime are filled with dragons, humans that turn into dragons, and other strange and wonderful creatures. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to draw different types and feature them in a page of story artwork.

  • Create a Comic Strip

    Participants learn how to design their own character, practise drawing them from different viewpoints, and use a simple narrative structure to write and draw a one-page comic strip. This session can be arranged to reflect topics currently being studied at school, such as ecology, road safety, health, etc.

  • Introduction to Japanese Calligraphy

    This workshop covers the history of Shodō, the ancient art of Japanese brush calligraphy. Participants will then practise the fundamentals, so they can then progress onto calligraphing their chosen kanji using ink, brush and paper.

  • How To Draw Your Dragon

    Dragons have captured our imaginations since ancient times, and continue to fascinate us today. From menacing fire-breathing beasts to majestic beings, dragons feature throughout popular culture in video games, films, tv and comics.

    Learn about different types of dragons that feature in stories from around the world. Participants will then draw different body shapes and poses, progressing onto designing their own cool, cute or scary dragon character.

  • The Art of Shodō - Heroes and Villains

    Enjoy the relaxing and joyful art of Japanese calligraphy by using brush and ink to create the name of your favourite fictional hero or villain. Learn how to use traditional tools and materials and the basic brush stroke techniques. Whether it is Superman, Salor Moon or Stormtroopers, celebrate your favourite character through the cool and bold style of katakana.

  • Cats in Cartoons

    description to follow soon

My Approach

  • Engaging

    Experience with developing and leading individual workshops, activities and art programmes for children, young people and adults. 

  • Tailored

    Workshops can be tailored to suit all levels of ability, specially designed with the participants’ needs in mind.

  • Trusted

    I have a calm and friendly approach, welcoming children and adults from wide-ranging socio-economic and diverse backgrounds.