Drawing is easy with practise

Are there ‘natural born artists’?
Yes. Just as there are natural born athletes, mathematicians and whatever. Don’t let the idea of someone being
that good put you off though. Even with that level of talent, coaching will ALWAYS be helpful.
Can ANYONE really draw then? Yes.
With a little knowledge of the ways in which artists work and lots of practice – after all this is a craft or skill.
You wouldn’t expect to start any project without researching the ‘how’ even if you skipped the ‘why’ as it would hold things up, something that often turns out to be incorrect!

Beginner to Confident in a Month was created last year after around 10 years of working with artists of all abilities and realising that many were being let down by a lack of one or more of the basic drawing skills that would have made their lives so much easier. 
The Drawing Starter workshop I run solves the most basic of these skills – observation along with a short intro of how to transfer what you can now see onto paper. Which is all any artist does. 
After all how can you expect to draw anything if you look at it but don’t truly see it? Whilst the 2 hour Drawing workshop is successful, it doesn’t allow the time for coaching to hone your skills or any confidence building. 

I’ve met quite a few amazing artists who are genuine in their belief that they’re not ‘good enough’, one in particular was truly amazing particularly regarding the speed at which she worked. She had everything an artist needs to be very successful… except self-belief in her talent and confidence that what she was creating was ‘good enough’ 

Last year I designed and ran this course to tackle these problems, particularly the lack of confidence.

The Course
3- 4 Artists ensure individual coaching
 8 hours over 4 weeks provides plenty of practise time.
This allows consolidation, the slow building of skills with lots of practise over the first 3 weeks,
and the gradual building of confidence in
constructively critiquing each other’s work. 
Optional projects to complete at home help you to consolidate your skills, knowledge & techniques.
All materials are provided, all handouts etc. including any required for home projects so there are no extra costs.

Please Note
Since everyone is working at their own pace there is no official break, but please bring your own refreshments so you can take a break without disturbing others whilst they work.

Course Fee: £250
(62.50 per week, paid monthly)

Main focus: observation 

Quick exercises/tests on each artist’s current level of observation. This gives everyone a starting a point. The test will be repeated later in the session to measure the success of this simple exercise. The  concept of the left brain/right brain and an introduction to the different ways in which artists ignore or switch off the left brain so the right brain can truly observe. 

Next is a little theory with the introduction and of tone and the creation of tonal scales/value etc. Tone is crucial to creating accurate, realistic drawings. Simple, practical exercises in the session with optional observation and tonal projects to complete at home help consolidate this week’s theory and techniques. 

Main focus: putting what you see down onto paper

There are many different options here and many will be introduced in this session; containers, grids, sighting, estimating etc. and discussing which option is most useful in different situations. This a very practical, hands-on part of the course in which you discover your preferred methods of transferring what you observe onto paper. In reality it is a mix of these options that is often used, so being familiar and comfortable with as many as possible increases your confidence. 

Information and discussion on where to find some of the best royalty free images that you can work from (every site is different). 

Optional home projects
Practising your preferred options from the session. All materials are provided. If time allows you could move on to the options that interest you the least (it’s easier to start with something that comes easily to you before moving on to something you find difficult).
Working from the handout provided look at the various free image sites to discover which ones you prefer (in readiness for your final artwork in Week 4).

 

Main focus: Critiques (both giving and receiving)

Once everyone has begun to relax and gel as a working group, the idea of giving and receiving crucial constructive criticism will begin. Both the giver and the receiver learn a lot from this valuable experience. Those observering will also benefit.

The rest of the session will concentrate on working either as a group or individually depending on circumstances to correct what the critiques have brought to light.

Optional home project
Search for an image that inspires you ready for bringing everything together in your final artwork next week.
If you have already done this you can make a start on it using the materials you have chosen.

Main focus: Final artwork

This week, everything we worked on over the last 3 weeks comes together in the creation of an artwork using materials of your choice with coaching and demos as applicable.

The final 15 mins will wrap up the course with feedback provided for everyone (including me). Photos will be taken for everyone’s benefit before the final farewells (I forgot to do this on the first course)

The course is a lovely mix of theory nuggets, practical exercises, demo’s and home projects. Handouts to take away with you mean no note taking is required leaving you free to totally focus on the session… and enjoy it.

(We learn more easily when we’re relaxed and enjoying ourselves)