Essential skills in drawing and painting

Programme overview

This course, taught by a professional artist, will help you develop the skills required to create representational drawings and paintings you can be proud of! We look at traditional and modern methods and techniques, and make these accessible to anyone, even those who haven't picked up a pencil in years!

We cover a range topics including:

Basic drawing skills -if you are new to the course, you will learn specific methods to create a likeness of the object you are drawing. We'll look at simplifying the subject using shapes, the use of proportion, and using the 'block in' method to get it right every time.

Trying out different drawing and painting mediums for you to explore their properties and how they work.

Personalised development - once you've achieved the basics, you can then personalise your learning to develop skills more suited to your own needs. This can include practising skills from specific artists or developing the use of specific techniques.

Please note this course is about learning to draw using reference material and images, to make the subject look representational.

We don't draw from imagination (though we can investigate picture composition from multiple reference sources).

Programme content

New learners:

• basic drawing skills
• using the block in method
• understanding tonal theory

Returning learners:

• developing drawing and painting in your chosen medium
• development of personal outcomes appropriate to your personal needs

Who this course is for

The course is aimed at mixed ability learners. From absolute beginners to 'veterans' of other courses who feel they need to brush up on their drawing skills. The tutor responds to the individual needs of each person (provided they keep within the structure of the programme). It is recommended that anyone new to the course does 5 weeks of drawing at the start, to learn the basic principles.

Experience and knowledge needed

No prior drawing knowledge needed, just a willingness to learn something new. You should have a moderate knowledge on how to use basic IT skills - sending emails, so we can send you additional resources.

Materials and equipment

You will need: 

• graded pencils (HB/2B/4B/6B - 2 of each)
• A4 or A3 drawing pad
• eraser (standard - not putty)
• A4/A3 plastic sleeve/envelope (to keep work in)
• painting materials will be discussed in class - we recommend using Daler Rowney System 3 Acrylics if you'd like to paint
• paintbrushes - we recommend details profile set

We will provide:

• practical worksheets and handout
• skills presentations which are emailed out to learners, so you can have your own copy
• some reference images for you to draw from (we can't print images on an evening, so these would need to be prepared in advance)

Assessment

• coursework
• demonstration of knowledge
• achievement of personal targets
• achievement of course targets
• portfolio of work
• observation

Accreditation 

This course is not accredited.

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