Drawing for Improvers
Course overview
Take your drawing skills to the next level with our engaging 10-week course, designed specifically for those who have completed a beginners’ drawing course or have some basic drawing experience. This course bridges the gap between fundamental techniques and more advanced artistic expression, helping you develop greater confidence, precision, and creative freedom in your work.
Building on your existing knowledge, you’ll explore more complex subjects, sophisticated techniques, and diverse drawing media while receiving personalised guidance to develop your unique artistic voice. Our structured yet flexible approach encourages experimentation while strengthening core observational and technical skills that form the foundation of accomplished drawing.
In a supportive and stimulating environment, you’ll work alongside fellow drawing enthusiasts who share your passion for visual expression, guided by expert tutor Caz Dowdall.
By the end of this course, you’ll have expanded your drawing repertoire, tackled more challenging subject matter, and created a portfolio of work that demonstrates significant artistic growth.
- Advanced Observation – Refine your ability to see subtle details, complex relationships, and nuanced tonal variations
- Composition Mastery – Create more dynamic arrangements using principles of balance, movement, and visual hierarchy
- Extended Media Exploration – Develop proficiency with charcoal, conte, ink, coloured pencil, and mixed media approaches
- Linear Perspective – Apply one-point, two-point, and atmospheric perspective to create convincing spatial depth
- Figure Drawing Fundamentals – Learn proportions, gesture, and basic anatomy to confidently approach the human form
- Expressive Mark-Making – Develop a more personal drawing style through varied line quality and mark-making techniques
- Value Studies – Create sophisticated tonal relationships to enhance mood, drama, and three-dimensionality
- Texture Rendering – Master techniques for convincingly representing a wide range of surface qualities
- Drawing from Imagination – Begin combining observational skills with creative visualisation
- Conceptual Approaches – Introduce meaning and narrative elements into your drawing practice
This drawing course employs diverse teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles and encourage artistic development:
- Technique Demonstrations – Clear, step-by-step instruction in new methods and approaches
- Progressive Exercises – Structured activities that build skills incrementally while encouraging creative application
- Extended Projects – Longer drawing sessions that develop focus, refinement, and problem-solving abilities
- Individual Guidance – Personalised feedback and suggestions tailored to your specific artistic goals
- Group Critiques – Constructive discussion of works-in-progress in a supportive peer environment
- Artist Studies – Analysis of how master artists solve drawing challenges and develop their visual language
- Experimental Sessions – Opportunities to try new approaches in a risk-free environment
- Each session provides a balanced combination of instruction, demonstration, guided practice, and independent work, with regular opportunities for feedback and reflection
Prerequisites
Completion of a beginner’s drawing course OR at least 6 months of regular drawing practice. Participants should be familiar with basic drawing techniques, including line, shading, proportion, and simple perspective.
What to Bring
Basic materials will be provided throughout the course. You are welcome to bring additional drawing materials if you already own them, but this is not necessary.
Essential Items:
- Sketchbook (A3 size recommended, 150gsm paper or heavier)
- Drawing pencils (full range from 4H to 8B)
- Charcoal (vine and compressed)
- Conte crayons (black, white, and sanguine)
- Drawing pens (variety of nib sizes)
- Putty eraser and precision eraser
- Blending tools (tortillons and chamois)
- Comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting occasional charcoal or graphite marks on
Why not continue your creative journey with another of our art courses?
Alternatively enrol by phone quoting AC/M/PX237
Meet the tutors
We want our learners to feel welcome, safe and at ease when attending our classes, especially if this is your first time attending an adult education class or if you're coming back to education after a break.
If you're interested in one of courses, meet our tutors first! You'll see they have similar passions and interests and, most importantly, the right qualifications to help you make the most of your time and money.
