In January 2026 I was kindly invited to The Longshed in Woodbridge, home of the Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company, to lead a sketchbook session with a group of schoolchildren. It was chance to look at and explore drawing their full-size replica of the famous 7th-century Anglo-Saxon royal burial ship from Sutton Hoo. It is an amazing project and well worth a look
We looked at some simple ways to draw the ship, including finding the main shapes, using quick thumbnail sketches and noticing perspective, overlap, light and shade.
The Sutton Hoo ship reconstruction is an extraordinary project, and drawing offered the children a chance to slow down, look carefully and record something of their visit.
You can watch the short video below.
You can find out more about the Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company at saxonship.org.