Community Wellbeing — Life Drawing for Wellbeing

Course overview

Explore a range of experimental and traditional approaches to drawing the human figure and experience how drawing can inspire confidence, increase awareness and connection to your materials and subject matter, and a sense of freedom. You’ll receive expert guidance from expert tutor Kat Ward.

Drawing from the figure is a classic, traditional skill and these life drawing sessions are ideal for those wanting to learn and improve, or for beginners who would like to just have a go.

Community Wellbeing: Life Drawing for Wellbeing aims to boost confidence and improve mental and emotional well-being. The sessions provide a wonderful opportunity to explore creativity, learn new techniques, and enjoy the power of expressing yourself through art. You’ll benefit from a supportive and inclusive environment, connecting with others who share your interests.

The group size ensures personalised attention and feedback. You can share your work, gain insights from others, and develop your skills in a collaborative atmosphere. Each session is interactive and hands-on, giving you plenty of opportunities to practice and refine your techniques.

We’ll be offering a two-hour session on Thursday evenings from 6-8pm. You can attend as many of the sessions as you wish! 

2024: 3, 10, 17, 24 October, 7, 14, 21, 28 November, 5, 12, 19 December.

2025: 16, 23, 30 January, 6, 13, 27 February, 6, 13, 20, 27 March, 3, 24 April, 1, 8, 15, 22 May, 5, 12, 19, 26 June.

Please note: This course runs term time only.

Our Community Wellbeing Programme offers a series of free, government-funded courses to develop skills, knowledge, and confidence, and improve mental wellbeing for adults aged 19 and over (at the start of the course). Participation can help those managing mental health conditions that have a mild-moderate impact on their day-to-day lives. By taking part in Wellbeing Programmes, individuals will receive support in progressing their creative skills and interests to the next level as well as tools to help manage wellbeing on a daily basis. For further details and terms and conditions please view our Community Wellbeing page.

 

This Community Wellbeing course covers the basics of observational drawing, which will be improved each week. if you are more experienced, there will be tutoring to further your abilities.

You will work from an unclothed life model, both male and female. You will better understand the human form and greater skill at drawing it.

You will expand your creative abilities through:

  • Experimental drawing skills, including: mark making, describing line, form, proportions, shading, tonal work, perspective and compositional elements
  • Using a range of drawing materials, such as: pencils, charcoal, chalks, oil pastels, inks and mixed media use of drawing materials and paper collage
  • Referencing Artists and their techniques such as Jenny Saville, Egon Schiele, William Kentridge to name a few.

During the workshops, you will focus on techniques and materials in a practical, hands-on class, combining traditional life drawing practices with experimental drawing ideas and mediums.

Basic materials will be provided, however we encourage you to bring any materials or equipment you may already own and wish to use.

Why not take your creative journey further? Activate Learning offers a wide variety of art courses, diplomas, and degrees that you can progress into once your confidence has grown. These courses are suitable for those who wish to pursue a career in the creative industries or explore their skills further.

Our Wellbeing Programme courses are separate from our main adult learning courses and are tailored to support your wellbeing, progressing interests and skills. For further details and terms and conditions please view our Community Wellbeing page. 

Please note: Each learner must commit to an Individual Learning Plan, which will be reviewed at three points in the year. Your tutor will have a 1:1 conversation with you to identify your goals and outcomes for the year ahead. This will be reviewed at the end of the year, and your tutor will discuss your next steps with you.

Course Has Started Enquire Below

Flexible start

  • Flexible start - 12 June 2025
  • 18:00 - 20:00
  • Thursday
  • 1 Year
  • Oxford: City of Oxford College
    • Free

      Funded places are available on this course. Read the course description for details.

This course is fully booked

Alternatively enrol by phone quoting OXAEL54E0

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.

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