Course overview

This four-week project-based course is a comprehensive and practical introduction to the fundamentals of drawing and painting. New topics are introduced each week together with creative projects designed to improve, build and inspire your own unique and individual artistic skills. Explore still life, landscape, portrait and figure drawing in this friendly online learning course where your tutor will begin each session with a brief presentation of contextual historical and contemporary art followed by a practical art activity. You will also receive handy reference material which will be forwarded to you after each class.

Contemporary research shows us that creating art brings with it many surprising health and wellbeing benefits. Making art can reduce stress, increase happiness, encourage self-expression and expand critical thinking. This innovative course has been designed for beginners to improvers and for those interested in exploring a new, creative, fun and relaxing pastime. This course is also well suited for those who wish to progress on to further or higher-level art education.

For the first class we will focus on observational drawing. Please ensure you have a pencil, pen and some A3 or A4 cartridge paper. Find a subject for a still life study, choose something which has interest and meaning for you, for example – a few of your favourite flowers in a simple container, a house plant, a pair of your favourite shoes or a selection of fruits or vegetables.

Your tutor will inform you of a suggested materials list required for the rest of the course during the first class. None of the materials for this course are expensive and all are optional.

Course assessment

There are no exams for this course however if you wish to receive personal tutor feedback for your practical works, you are welcome to send the tutor digital images of your work via email and she will respond with her feedback before the next class. Further details will be given at the first meeting.

Course progression

At the end of this course, if you’d like to continue with your learning in this subject, you’ll be able to progress onto our Drawing & Painting Enhancer Course or other art-based Enhancer courses.

Our workshops and courses are designed to provide essential skills, develop confidence and resilience, improve your health & wellbeing, prepare you for further learning or employment, provide ways to learn with your family and build communities. We have a wide range of workshops and courses and you can explore more on our website. There’s something for everyone!