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Course intent

As a beginner, you will learn basic visual story telling as you learn to draw step-by-step, with tutor support and demonstrations. Whether you’re looking to learn about illustration for the first time, or you want to refine your skills or discover new ways to say something visually or to tell a story, this course offers the perfect blend of structured learning and imagination.

What will I learn?

On this creative and inspiring course, you will explore drawing & illustration techniques. Through weekly projects and assignments, you will learn:

Design Techniques: Learn the fundamentals of perspective and composition to strengthen the structure of your drawings. Explore a wide range of subject matter, including still life, landscapes, people and animals to broaden your creative skills and confidence.

Material Knowledge: Experiment with a variety of materials and tools, including pen and ink techniques such as hatching. Understand how different surfaces influence your results and explore the use of watercolour to add depth and expression to your work.

Craftsmanship: Develop your observational drawing skills and foundational techniques, with guidance on shading and proportion. Begin to build a personal sketchbook to document your creative journey.

Production Process: Explore the difference between drawing to record and drawing for illustration. Study the work of professional illustrators to enhance your own illustrative style.

Workshop Practice: Learn key health and safety procedures to maintain a clean, organised, and professional studio environment. Understand the proper care, cleaning, and handling of tools and materials to support your ongoing creative practice.

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 will need to bring:

• Paper (preferably drawing paper in a sketch book - A4 not less than 120gsm if possible)
• A small notebook or sketchbook to make notes in during class
• Drawing pencils (an H pencil, HB pencil and a B pencil - can be 4H or 2B…up to you) and if you have one - a mechanical pencil
• A pencil sharpener
• A rubber/eraser/pen

After the first class you will be using coloured media that you already have such as

• watercolour paint (with brushes, watercolour paper etc)
• Drawing Pens of various nib sizes

Before buying any new materials always speak to your tutor first for advice on what and where to buy. Please ask questions in your first class.

What can I do when I finish the course?

Progress onto the next Drawing & Illustration course throughout academic year 2025-26 or in Autumn 2026 onto Drawing & Illustration - Stage 2. You could also explore drawing in greater technical detail during a workshop, for instance life & portrait drawing, watercolour painting, mixed media and urban sketching which can help you to develop further. You could also explore other courses in mixed media and life drawing which have helped them develop further, others have joined creative writing classes to support their illustration.

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.

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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