# Andrew James
*Artist, illustrator, and educator*

Andrew James is a Wellington-based artist, illustrator, writer, and educator, usually found with a pen in one hand and a sketchbook in the other. His work explores the practice of drawing on location, capturing life as it happens, from city streets to national parks, and with an emphasis on wonkiness, immediacy, and the joy of recording the everyday. What began as a way to document a long trip turned into an ongoing record of his whole life in sketchbooks and eventually a passion with all kinds of drawing.

Previously a communications meteorologist at MetService and a high school mathematics teacher, Andrew draws on his science and education background to make complex ideas understandable through words and pictures, often in real time, sketching alongside the people and places he's illustrating. He is a founding member of Urban Sketchers Wellington and has taught workshops for audiences ranging from complete beginners to high school teachers, communications professionals, and seasoned artists, including as an instructor at the USk Symposium in Poznań.

Andrew has worked with organizations such as Watercolour New Zealand, Wellington Zinefest, Urban Sketchers, the Predator Free New Zealand Trust, Creative Mornings Wellington, Scion, the Science Learning Hub, the Science Communications Association of New Zealand, and Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research. His career highlights include sketching live at a Kiwi release and collaborating with researchers on a science comic about the smell of possum butts, proof that he's as happy with the silly as he is with the serious.

Andrew also shares his process and teaching through his Substack, where he writes about the decisions, missteps, and small triumphs that come with a life spent drawing. He leads workshops both locally and internationally, having recently taught in Oslo, and continues to champion the idea that drawing is for everyone, not just "artists."

An enthusiastic sketcher of everyday life, Andrew especially loves drawing with his young sons, who he says are some of the most fearless and fun artists around. His goal, whether in a workshop, online, or out in the field, is to help people slow down, look closer, and discover the joy of putting what they see onto the page.

Learn more about Andrew James and his work by visiting his [website](https://andrewjamesdraws.com/), his [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ajamesdraws), or his [Substack](https://ajamesdraws.substack.com/) if you'd like to follow along with his process and sketchbook adventures.

**Connect:** [Website](https://andrewjamesdraws.com/) · [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ajamesdraws)

## Retreats led by Andrew James

### Building Your Sketchbook Habit Retreat with Artist Andrew James in France
June 21 - 28, 2027 · Concourson-sur-Layon, France · $4,350
Instructors: Andrew James
[Details](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/retreat/building-your-sketchbook-habit-retreat-artist-andrew-james-france) · [Book on uptrek.com →](https://uptrek.com/retreat/building-your-sketchbook-habit-retreat-artist-andrew-james-france#book)

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**Last updated:** 2026-07-22