Draw With Debbie

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Crows Nest, NSW
Draw With Debbie

Drawing with a focus on playful experimentation. Avid sketchbook creator.

15/10/2026

A S K I N G Q U E S T I O N S
Here’s how I’ve been pushing forward with my abstracted waratah drawings- I call these contemporary watercolour with collage.

➡️➡️ swipe to see the works on paper, my early beginnings, gel plate abstractions and those stunning waratah blooms.

Here’s my thoughts for today: I love these kind of experiments- asking not ‘What is..’ but ‘What if…?’

It’s so empowering not to know the outcome before you begin. The ‘unknowing’ is a blessing. Things may not work the way you thought they might, but oh wow, the surprises can be incredible! Just stay open to possibility. Trust me on this.

11/10/2026

D R A W I N G D A Y S
Important to devote time to drawing- I needed these studies to further my Waratah beginnings ( posted the other day). A deep dive into structure and layers. Keep watching to see my warm up drawing and studio wall.

More on this soon. I’ve prepped larger paper and will jump back in tomorrow!

All drawings in willow charcoal, charcoal powder and charcoal pencil on large A2 drawing paper 150 gsm .

Some done with left hand, some with right. Also moving about a bit- both me and the blooms. I find this adds something interesting and takes it further into abstraction. Keeping things unpredictable- have you tried this?

09/10/2026

A L O N G T H E C O A S T A L P A T H
Cornwall is calling us back! Excited to be there for a month in August 2027 at . We will be out walking and drawing that fabulous coastline. And hoping you will be able to join us! Will be running two 3 day in person courses with the school- all details at link in bio on home page or on the Newlyn School of Art website.
Jump in fast if you want to book- limited spots left…
This will be an exciting and expressive few days.

08/10/2026

W A R A T A H S
These incredible showy flowers are in season so when I saw some at the markets I had to dig deep and buy them! ( I’ve heard disturbing stories about people stealing them from wild bushland…)

Now I’m experimenting with how to draw them! I was sent some lovely brushes by Willow Wolfe so just trying out some very loose mark making in watercolour.
➡️➡️ swipe to see my new beginnings and a close up of the stunning Waratahs.

I’ve pulled some very abstracted prints off the gel plate so next stage will be collaging over parts of these beginnings and then drawing right back into them.

This is just a glimpse of my process so far. More to come. The new brushes are making beautiful marks with Daniel Smith Artists Materials watercolours.

As always it’s truly experimental with no preconceived outcomes - leaving those at the door and just seeing where the marks take me. I love having lots of sheets of paper on the go- stops fussing and overworking.

Mixed media paper by Strathmore Artist Papers 300 GSM/184 lb

01/10/2026

B L O O M I N G
My studio wall is bursting with blossom! Developing ideas and paintings from all those initial drawings I showed earlier.
➡️➡️ 🌸🌸🌸 swipe for more- and a little video of my makeshift gallery wall.

This is what can emerge when you allow time for play. Letting go of expectation, no fear of ‘will this sell…?’ - just delving into possibilities. Liberating! And actually new ideas always emerge from this lovely immersive practice. Of course not every drawing works but that’s all part of it. Embrace all the so called failures- they always lead to new discoveries.

These blossoms are helping me bloom.

Do you have a favourite? I’d love to know in the comments⬇️.

29/09/2026

S T I LL U N F O L D I N G
I don’t know how I’m going to finish this book.
And that’s such a big part of the pleasure of making it.
I began outside in the bush, responding quickly to what I could see around me. Eight pages are underway. Four are still waiting -with just their painted backgrounds.

Eventually they’ll connect. I’ll add drawings, paint, collage, perhaps cover things up and change my mind. The story will emerge as I work.

That’s what UNFOLDING is really about. Not simply making a concertina book, but learning how to develop one - how to experiment, connect your pages and turn drawings and observations into a visual story of a place, a journey or a memory.

My introductory price ends tomorrow, 30 September, so this might be a great day to check it out!

If you’d like to have a look, check the link below:

https://shop.debbiemackinnon.com/collections/unfolding-create-handmade-concertina-books-with-debbie-mackinnon

26/09/2026

B L O S S O M I N G
Spring has arrived and blossom is bursting out all over! Sometimes I don’t have a clear idea of what I’m going to do next- so I allow myself to be simply drawn to something- ( synchronicity snd instinct always work for me) and I noticed this fabulous bunch of blossoming twigs in the produce market. Some brightened my kitchen and the rest came to the studio.

➡️➡️ swipe to see my large mixed media drawings, some details and a glimpse into the fast and loose preliminary warm up drawings. Yes! This step cannot be overlooked. It’s where I really start to look and discover what’s going on.

I come back to this:
“An average human looks without seeing, listens without hearing, touches without feeling, eats without tasting, moves without physical awareness, inhales without awareness of odour or fragrance, and talks without thinking.” Leonardo da Vinci
He goes on to say:
“Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”

I lean into this. Agree?

23/09/2026

B U S H W A L K
So good to get out drawing in nature last week in the Bouddi National Park. Nature bursting out and full of the joys of spring!

➡️➡️ swipe to see some sketchbook and concertina book process and a little video from my bushland perch on a handy rock.

I truly don’t overthink it when I’m out drawing- better to just respond in the moment. But don’t take too many materials with you- that can be overwhelming. And I like switching between my Winsor & Newton watercolour sketchbook and my handmade concertina book. Both telling stories about my experience of being there.
I admit to being the mad artist who works with collage pieces on location! Here’s a handy tip- use a bulldog clip to secure your pieces together on the edge of your sketchbook while deciding which bit you need. Prevents stumbling about catching any wayward pieces that might otherwise blow away!

I’ve posted more pages from the Spring sketchbook today Debbie Mackinnon if you want to take a look.

20/09/2026

M A K I N G M E M O R I E S
I began this concertina book in the Kimberley, drawing fast and responding to what was around me -trees, rocks, water, creek, colour, skies and that extraordinary vast landscape.

Back in the studio I returned to those first quick sketches, adding paint, collage and marks, letting one page lead into another. And now, opening it takes me straight back there.

That’s what I love most about concertina books. They can become so much more than a collection of drawings. They gather places, memories and moments into one unfolding story.

That idea is at the heart of my online course UNFOLDING - not just how to make the book, but how to develop your pages, find connections, experiment with materials and make something that feels uniquely yours. The introductory price continues until 30 September.

Comment UNFOLDING and I’ll send you the course details direct to your inbox. There’s a link in my bio too.

17/09/2026

B A L I U N F O L D S
A handmade concertina book is a perfect way to make an unfolding story about your travel adventures. Of course you don’t have to travel far- it could be a journey round your own neighbourhood or garden.

My new UNFOLDING course shows you how to make your own concertina book and is full of ideas about mark making and drawing into it - from loose splashy random backgrounds to making covers for your book.
Comment UNFOLDING and I’ll send all the details about the course to your direct message inbox.

People who have started UNFOLDING have been sending me feedback:

“ One of the things I enjoyed most was being encouraged to work outside my usual habits - using unexpected color combinations, making large sweeping gestures, and simply allowing the paint and marks to develop without worrying about a finished painting.
The real magic came when those painted sheets were folded into books. Suddenly, what began as a loose experiment became something I could continue to draw, paint, collage, and explore in…” Shelley

“I just finished this course… ( I am an artist with gallery representation) and I really loved it. I was very curious about this very loose and spontaneous way of recording travel memories. It has inspired me for so much more!” Beate

“I love your new class! So inspiring and lots of fun. You have such a welcoming spirit.” Mary

Thanks so much for those warm positive comments. I hope you’ll take a look. Comment UNFOLDING for a link or find in my bio.
Still at special introductory price until end September

Address

89 Chandos Street
Crows Nest, NSW
2065

Telephone

+61419295271

Website

http://debbiemackinnon.com/

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