Walk and Draw: Cuckmere Haven

Join me, Ulrike Mieke, Illustrator and avid sketchbooker for a fun day of walking and drawing at Cuckmere Haven.

We will be starting our walk at Cuckmere Haven Visitor Centre, Cuckmere HavenSeaford BN25 4AR. Where you'll be introduced to different drawing materials and a demostration of drawing exercises to help guide you on your walk. Each participant will be provided with a small A5 blank sketchbook to work in. We will then set off on our walk, stopping along the way to draw looping back to the visitor centre by 13pm.

Soak up the summer with your sketchbook in hand! Whether you're an experienced artist or just enjoy doodling, this event is for everyone! Meet fellow sketchbook enthusiasts, get inspired and learn how to draw from life. I'll be sharing what materials I use and recommend, how to fill a sketchbook and tips for observational drawing.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to combine light exercise and creativity!

A little about me:

Hi there! My name is Ulrike Mieke, everyone calls me Mieke - I’m a Children's Book Illustrator from South Africa currently living in Ovingdean, Brighton with my husband. I love filling up sketchbooks drawing people and places, capturing moments! Sketchbooks are an incrediby valuable tool in my practice, and I love sharing my knowledge, experience, tips and tricks with fellow creatives. When I'm not drawing - you can find me working on picturebook projects or lecturing part-time at BIMM University, or just having a dig in my garden (village life!) Follow my work @ulrike_mieke

How to get there:

Seven Sisters Country Park is situated on the A259 at Exceat, near Seaford; the easiest way to visit us is by public transport, on foot, cycle or you can travel by car.

By Bus
The easiest way to visit us is by bus; we are well served by the regular 12, 12A and 12X Coaster service between Brighton/Seaford/Eastbourne. All buses stop at the Visitor Centre and connect with mainline railway stations at Seaford, Brighton and Eastbourne.

The 39 Sussex Arts Shuttle service operated by Cuckmere Buses runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between Lewes and Eastbourne stopping at Seven Sisters, Charleston Farmhouse and Towner Gallery. Between April and October the 47 Cuckmere Valley Rambler service operates at weekends and Bank Holidays, connecting to Berwick station, Alfriston and Seaford.

By Foot
Conveniently located along the South Downs Way and the English Coastal Path we are easy to reach by foot. A walk from Seaford train station takes about an hour, and we are approximatley a two hour walk from Birling Gap.

By Bike
Cycle racks are located in each car park and at the Visitor Centre.
You can also rent a bike, manual or electric from our onsite partners Cuckmere Cycle Company

By car
There are two pay and display car parks on site. Please note at peak periods our car parks are very busy and fill quickly so please plan ahead and have alternative parking in mind as there is very limited alternative parking nearby. To find us, simply add our postcode BN25 4AD to your satnav.

By coach
If you are planning to bring a group by coach, plan ahead as there is no formal coach parking, pick up / drop off points at Seven Sisters Country Park. At quieter times, limited coach parking is available by arrangement in our south car park only. At weekends, bank holidays and peak season a 3m height barrier is in operation. Please note, here is a 7.5t limit on Litlington Road so no coach access to our north car park.

Where to meet:

We'll gather in the courtyard at the visitor centre where we will have a small informal chat before we head off on our walk. We will stop and draw along the way, and finish our walk back at the Visitor Centre.

What to bring with:

• Water/ Drink, snacks and sun protection ( Hat, sun cream etc. )
• Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
• Additional sketchbooks if you have a particular size/brand.
• Drawing Materials - can be a pencil, watercolours, paints or ballpoint pen! Anything goes!

Recommended Materials:

Sketchbooks:

You are more than welcome to bring your own sketchbook if you'd like too.

Pencils & Paints

Like I've said - anything goes! So it's quite hard to say what materials are best, therefore I've just recommended a few if you're keen to get going with sketching from life.

• Faber Castell coloured pencils ( You can start by buying some of your favourite colours separately and build up your range in this way)
• Derwent Inktense Pencils ( Lovely saturated colours, great to play around with for watersoluable colours.)
• Watercolour set ( Windsor & Newton are great if you're invested in your art but if you're just starting out, a more cost effective water colour set will do the trick!)
• Tombow Brush pens - they are great for blocking out big areas of colour and to get a paintly effect)
• Reuseable brush pens ( These are great for filling with water, makes it super easy to paint on the go!)

Meet your Me - your guide and sketchbook friend!

Ulrike Mieke

Hi there! My name is Ulrike Mieke, everyone calls me Mieke - I’m a Children's Book Illustrator from South Africa currently living in Ovingdean, Brighton with my husband. I love filling up sketchbooks drawing people and places, capturing moments! When I'm not drawing - you can find me working on picturebook projects or lecturing part-time at BIMM University, or just having a dig in my garden (village life!) Follow my work @ulrike_mieke

Also check out other Arts events in Seaford, Fine Arts events in Seaford.