Part 1: Discovering Paris
Join any time, fill your sketchbook and learn to notice.
8 ateliers ~ 8 Paris stories ~ 8 creative journal spreads
Bonjour • Café Table • The Baguette • Paris Doors • The Bouquinistes • The Métro • Green Chairs • Paris Rooftops
Walk into a bakery. Enter a shop. Approach a café counter. Ask someone a question. In France, so many everyday interactions begin in the same place:
Bonjour.
It sounds simple—but it carries much more than “hello.”
In this opening session of our Paris Online Sketchbook Journey, we'll explore the everyday art of greeting in France: when bonjour matters, why it sets the tone for an interaction, and how expressions such as salut, coucou, bonne journée, and bonne soirée become part of the rhythm of daily life.
Along the way, we'll also gather some of the classic words, symbols, colors, and visual details that immediately say Paris.
Then we'll create our first Sense of Place Story Collage: a welcoming Paris sketchbook spread celebrating curiosity, connection, and the beginning of our creative journey.
No perfect French—or perfect drawing—required.
Just say bonjour and let's create together.
The Ritual of Bonjour
Why greeting someone comes before almost everything else.
The Language of Everyday Hellos
Bonjour, salut, coucou—and the small differences between them.
How French Interactions Close
Bonne journée, bonne soirée, and the art of leaving graciously.
The Visual Language of Paris
Words, symbols, signs, colors, and familiar details that begin building our Paris sketchbook vocabulary.
Our first sketchbook spread will be a joyful, layered welcome to Paris. Your collage might include:
Hand-lettered Paris words and phrases
French colors
Classic Paris ephemera
Collage Materials featuring iconic Parisian elements
Your very own drawn elements that capture the spirit of what "bonjour" means to you
By the end, you'll have a first page that feels like opening the door to Paris.
Duration: 1 hour (replay available after online session is complete)
Creative Level: All levels welcome
Materials Included: 1-2 pages of downloadable collage materials and/or step by step drawings. (Materials provided 1 week prior to the online atelier through email.)
SUPPLIES YOU NEED (not included):
sketchbook or watercolor paper ~5"x5" or larger (varying formats, or sizes are fine!)
1-2 black pens (waterproof like Micron is preferable)
watercolor set (simple)
scissors, glue stick, tape
color pencils (if you like.)
pencil if desired.
Bonjour, I'm Betsy. I'm an artist, author, educator, and creative guide living most of the year in Paris. I've been bringing people together online to explore the world creatively since 2020.
What began as a way to keep my wanderlust alive, teaching online became one of my favorite ways to form community and share creativity. My online ateliers are approachable, inspiring, and easy to follow. Through stories and visual inspiration, followed byguided step-by-step making - we sketch, layer, collage, experiment, and create together in an inclusive setting. I encourage students to follow along, yet also love seeing individual interpretation and creating in your own manner.
You don't need to be an artist. You don't need to know where to begin. Just bring your curiosity and your supplies and I'll bring the stories, the creative prompts, and plenty of encouragement.
Together, we'll turn an hour online into a little creative escape to Paris.
Sign up Now & Create Your Own Paris
Each online sketchbook atelier is a new invitation to look closer, discover another side of Paris, and transform what you notice into a creative Sense of Place story. Join one atelier or collect them all—your Paris sketchbook is yours to create, one story at a time.
SIGN UP NOW and join me for this BONJOUR Online Sketchbook Atelier.
September 15 • 1 Hour
Time: 10am Pacific/1pm Eastern/7pm Paris
Small Group • All Creative Levels Welcome • Collage Materials Included • Explore Your World with Creativity™