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Course intent

As a beginner, you will build the essential knowledge and skills needed to draw with confidence. Guided through a series of step-by-step exercises, you'll explore a variety of drawing styles—from quick, expressive sketches to more detailed and realistic techniques. By the end of the course, you’ll have a solid understanding of key drawing techniques, increased confidence in your abilities, and a personal collection of work to build on as you continue your creative journey.

What will I learn?

Through guided exercises and hands-on practice, you will learn:

Design Techniques: Discover the key principles of simple perspective and composition. Engage with a range of subject matter such as still life, simple figures, and landscapes.

Material Knowledge: Explore different materials like pencil, charcoal and ink. Discover how different tools and surfaces affect your technique and creative outcomes.

Craftsmanship: Discover the fundamentals of drawing as you learn how to use line, tone, shading and proportion in your work. Build a personal sketchbook or portfolio that documents your progress and creative development. Sharpen your observational abilities to draw with increased accuracy, expression, and confidence.

Production Process: Study the work of influential and inspiring artists to deepen your understanding of visual language and to enrich your own artistic practice.

Workshop Practice: Learn essential health and safety practices in the studio, including proper cleaning and care of tools and materials, to ensure a safe and professional working environment

Who is this course for? Is there anything I need to know before joining?

Stage 1 - This stage is for learners who are new to their chosen subject area. With the focus on introducing individuals to basic materials, tools, and techniques, and to inspire confidence in creative expression

What do I need to bring to the first class? Will there be any extra costs?

You need to bring:

• Pencils H, HB, 2B
• Cartridge paper, preferably a sketchbook: minimum weight of 130gsm (not photocopier paper which is 80 gsm) The number is written on the sketch pad, the higher the number, the thicker the paper. You do not need paper heavier than 220 g/m2 if cartridge paper.
• Rubber
• Pencil sharpener

The tutor will suggest different drawing materials as the course progresses.

What can I do when I finish the course?

You could try other Drawing & Illustration courses. Or, after completing 3 terms of Drawing - Stage 1, you can progress onto Stage 2 or Drawing & Illustration - Stage 2. You could also try Saturday workshops, an introduction to portrait drawing, or other drawing & painting classes.

Additional Information

We welcome learners with additional needs and disabilities. When you enrol, please let us know if you would like to discuss your extra support needs with a member of the Supported Learning Team who will then contact you as soon as possible. If you are enrolling within 10 days of the course start date, we may not be able to contact you before your first class.

We value and support equality, diversity and inclusion by promoting fairness and respect at all times.

How to enrol

You can't currently enrol online for this course, so please call 0300 200 1044 to express your interest or to make an enquiry for further information.

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