Learn to Draw - for Beginners Term 1 - 2027

Learn to Draw - for Beginners with Alex Snellgrove

Tickets: Members $325, non-members $355

8 week course starts 29 Jan 2-5pm (2027)

A welcoming 8 course for those that think they 'can't draw' - yet

This is a skills-based course for beginners and for anyone lacking confidence in their drawing. There will be opportunities to learn about and experiment with various materials (listed below) in a relaxed, supportive space. Alex will help you to refresh your vision, see your surroundings in a different light, and try new techniques and media.

Read more about Alex here

Week 1

Drawing with the simplest and most familiar tool, a 2B pencil. Drawing a group of simple objects, students will learn to see how the task is easier when the focus is on:

The way the objects relate to one another (seeing them in relative terms)

The spaces in between (negative spaces)

Shapes and proportions, not details

Students will learn the important skill of sighting (measuring).

They will be encouraged to use the pencil with varying amounts of pressure and speed.

Week 2

Building on learning from week 1, students will draw similar subjects using the same skills, this time with charcoal. Again, the various qualities of this medium will be explored. Different techniques will be demonstrated and tried, including simple line, line plus blocking in, and erasure (from a solid black background).

Week 3

Focus on tonal values. Using pencil and charcoal, students will learn about tonal values and what they can achieve (form, volume, spatial depth, mood, etc) using still life subjects. They will create tonal scales and apply tones to the drawings done in class. They will perceive tones more accurately, for example, the depth of shadows, mid tones, and highlights, on the objects.

A black Aquarelle pencil is a useful additional medium to bring to this class.

Week 4

Focus on composition. What makes an artwork satisfying, interesting, or balanced?

Students will learn about the rule of thirds, cropping and framing, the importance of empty or negative space, and how to use mini-drawings (thumbnails) to try out different compositions.

Week 5

Focus on perspective. This has been touched on earlier but this class will help students to understand the basic rules of perspective – handouts will be supplied.

Perspective is challenging for many because it seems to contravene the evidence of our own eyes. Once again, students will have still life subjects, this time mostly rectangular, although the effects of perspective on rounded or cylindrical objects will also be  covered.

Week 6

Drawing natural forms with ink and /or black watercolour.

Students will discover how appropriate fluid media are to draw natural forms like driftwood, branches and seed pods. Tools can include nib pens, feathers, sticks, brushes…textures and grain will be explored.

All the original skills learned earlier in the course will also be used.

Week 7

Drawing natural forms 2

An opportunity to consolidate skills and techniques from Week 8, with different subjects.

Week 8

Still life using mixed media. Students will select their own choice of media to draw a more complex still life, incorporating skills and materials used in the earlier weeks of this course.  One may be done  on coloured paper, dependent on time available and interest.

  *This is a guide only, and circumstances may require adjustments according to student needs and progress.

Materials List (available at the Katoomba Art Store) 

• Pencils, 2B and 4B

• Eraser

• 4B aquarelle pencil or aquarelle graphite

• Charcoal sticks and Kneaded eraser

• Black drawing ink (Atelier is a good brand)

• Dip pen/nib pen

• Black watercolour paint and small palette

• 2 x Round soft paintbrushes, medium size (6-8) and large (10)

• A3 cartridge paper, 3 sheets per class

• A3 smooth (hot pressed) watercolour or mixed media paper, 185gsm or heavier

• 1 or 2 sheets light brown Kraft paper

• Water container

  There is a kitchen with kettle/microwave/tea bags/instant coffee available

(we have a Nespresso coffee pod machine if you would like to bring your own pods)

We use the Humanitix ticketing platform to help us manage our workshops and classes. Humanitix charge a booking fee which we split with you 50/50. Humanitix is a registered charity and 100% of their profits go to social impact projects with a particular focus on closing the education gap.