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
Perhaps because a beautiful door never feels like just a door.
It suggests arrival, history, home and possibility. And in Paris, it often hides an entire private world behind the street.
In this online atelier, we'll look closely at the city's doors—their colors, proportions, ironwork, knockers, decorative details, and architectural personality and explore how entrances help separate the public life of Paris from the courtyards and private spaces beyond.
We'll also consider why doors are such powerful creative symbols. What might be behind them? Who has crossed their thresholds? And why are we so curious to know?
Then we'll create a layered Sense of Place Story Collage inspired by mystery, invitation, and possibility.
Doors as Architecture
Shape, color, ornament, hardware, and craftsmanship.
Public Paris / Private Paris
The hidden courtyards and inner worlds behind the street.
Doors as Symbols
Arrival, possibility, mystery, transition, and home.
Learning to Look Closely
Turning one architectural detail into an entire creative story.
Your sketchbook spread may have contain:
Illustrated or photographed Paris doors
Door numbers
Knockers and ironwork
Courtyard glimpses
Architectural fragments
Handwritten words
An imaginary glimpse “behind the door”
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 the PARIS DOORS Online Sketchbook Atelier.
October 13 • 1 Hour
Time: 10am Pacific/1pm Eastern/7pm Paris
Small Group • All Creative Levels Welcome • Collage Materials Included • Explore Your World with Creativity™