About the Course

An iPad, Apple Pencil and the app Procreate 5X are all you need to start creating!

Ever wondered how to create a menu without the need to learn complex software like Photoshop? Or illustrate a place card without armfuls of paintbrushes and hours of watercolour practise? In this online course, Isla seeks to share her design expertise and digital art skills with those wanting to create their own table decorations for weddings, birthdays, dinner parties and events. The course takes roughly 4-6 hours to complete and we recommend doing it over a weekend.
  • Two peas in a pod menu and place card design

Reviews

5 star rating

Extraordinary course!

Andrea Botero

I have always been a great admirer of Isla's art and style and when she came out with a course, I jumped at the opportunity to learn anything from her. Her M...

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I have always been a great admirer of Isla's art and style and when she came out with a course, I jumped at the opportunity to learn anything from her. Her Menu & Placecard Design course is wonderful for both Procreate beginners as well as more advanced artists as Isla takes you slowly on a little design adventure that you never want to leave from! I wish she offered more courses, I would take them in a heartbeat. Not only is Isla such a lovely person always so available in case you have any question, but the course is yours for up to 1 year in case you want to re-watch. I highly recommend taking this wonderful course. Andrea Patmos Plume

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5 star rating

Wonderful

rebecca mcguinness

Absolutely loved this course and it was a total lifesaver during lockdown! Found it very easy to pick up the procreate skills and now can’t wait to keep play...

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Absolutely loved this course and it was a total lifesaver during lockdown! Found it very easy to pick up the procreate skills and now can’t wait to keep playing with the designs! Thank you

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5 star rating

Direct and to the point. You know what you’re about to l...

Katherine Lee

Informative and well planned instructions. Easy to pause and replay instruction details to practice the steps.

Informative and well planned instructions. Easy to pause and replay instruction details to practice the steps.

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5 star rating

Amazing investment

Kuo-Fang Yang-O'Connor

I always love DIY my own home, decor and design my own events. After working in luxury fashion space for 2 decades, I have become very picky on specifics, an...

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I always love DIY my own home, decor and design my own events. After working in luxury fashion space for 2 decades, I have become very picky on specifics, and the best way to do it and not cost thousands is to do it by myself. Through Isla's course I was able to express my creativity through procreate and can draw and design just like any illustrators, this skill is now under my belt, it is so useful as a creative consultant and able to advise my teams and clients the artistic side as well as I can design unique cards for my personal use, it is so easy even my kids started to have their own drawing templates designed by me for them. Through this course I also appreciate the time and energy every artist put to it, therefore I can advise clients how to charge from the business point as well as creative point. I highly recommend Isla Simpson's course. It is a small investment last for lifetime. Thank you Isla! X

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What my students say

Loving the course.

Nan Philip

"It is so well done from the detailed videos to the downloads. I am very impressed and have so enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks with all of us!"

Perfect introduction to Procreate

Betsy Cochrane

“Between Isla’s gorgeous designs, lovely color palettes and patient, well-paced instruction, this course is the perfect introduction to procreate!”

My mind is blowing up

Katie Lobdell- Lee

“I found a few days to start your course and I am amazed!!! I might just donate a lot of art supplies now.”

Loved doing it

Isobel B

“Just finished your online menu & place cards course and loved doing it. Was such an accessible and well laid out tutorial.”

You don't need any art background

Kuo-Fang Yang-O'Connor

"I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys colours and creativities, you don’t need any art background but you can draw beautiful lifestyle menus just like Isla. Merci!!"

You are a great teacher

Anne Peirce

“My daughter took this and learned so much. You are a great teacher!!"

the tools to translate my ideas

Fleur Vidler ( Director of Belle Enfant)

"Since undertaking your course and discovering Procreate I feel like it’s really opened my eyes and given me the tools to translate my ideas and designs in a much clearer, more intuitive and easier to share format. I feel really excited to have learnt a new skill!"

A great foundation

Karen Sundell

Your explanations are clear and concise and you give a great foundation to learning the Procreate app. I plan to use the ribbon template for my needlepoint group and garden club with hopefully my own special touches.

FAQ

  • Can I do the course if I have no artistic or designs skills?

    Absolutely. The course has been designed especially for beginners. We begin by learning in a paint by numbers fashion, progressing to allow more scope for artistic flair.

  • What equipment do I need to complete the course?

    You will need an Apple Pencil, and an ipad with Procreate installed. The Apple pencil is compatible with the iPad Pro, and most recent generations of iPad, Mini & Air. But double check the Apple website to be sure. The newest version of Procreate for the iPad (at the time of writing) is 5.2 and requires iPadOS 15.1 or newer to install. The course has been updated for Procreate 5.2

  • How long does the course take to complete?

    The course is self paced, and takes between 4 - 6 hours, depending on drawing speed and how fast or slow you want to take it. I recommend that you take the course over a weekend, to digest and practise new found Procreate skills.

  • What if I am dissatisfied by the course?

    If you do the work, and you're still not satisfied, show me your work within 14 days of enrolling, and I'll give you a refund.

  • Can I gift the course as a present?

    Yes you can buy an E-Voucher, click the button in the below section, or visit the shop islasimpson.co.uk Your voucher will be emailed to you, ready with a code for immediate log in. Print at home to put in a card.

  • How long do I have access for?

    I know from my personal experience as a designer, how important it is to refresh your knowledge. So I'm offering access for 1 year.

Watch Intro Video

Video

  • Learn Procreate 5X

    Isla shares her love for the dynamic digital drawing app and how she uses it. The first course of its kind to use Procreate for menu and place card design.

  • Draw along lessons

    Real time drawing lesson videos from her desk in London, allow you to draw along side Isla.

  • Downloadable Exclusive Designs

    Two exclusive Isla Simpson table decoration designs created for the course. Learn how to recreate them for yourself and customise them for future events.

As seen in

4 -6 hour Course Curriculum

  • 1

    Chapter 1 Procreate 5X

  • 2

    Chapter 2 The Downloadables

    • Downloading and Opening the Files
  • 3

    Chapter 3 Blue Bows Menu & Place card design

    • Blue Bows menu & place card design lesson

    • Personalisation
  • 4

    Chapter 4 Two Peas in a Pod Menu & Place card design

    • Two Peas in a Pod Menu & Place card Drawing Lesson

    • Personalisation
  • 5

    Chapter 5 Printing

    • Preparing your files for Printing

    • What to ask Printers

    • Printing at home

    • List of Professional Printers

  • 6

    Chapter 6 Creating your own designs

    • Choosing a good theme

    • Table set up

    • Using the template for your own designs

    • Writing with ink

  • 7

    The End

    • Conclusion

Student's Gallery

The beautiful work of students who have taken this course, and felt inspired to draw menus and botanicals afterwards