Start Drawing

Thu 15 Jan-26 Mar (10 wks) | 7-9pm | 16+ yrs

Open for sign-ups throughout the term. If the start date has passed, bookings may still be available, please contact the box office at 01539 725133. Join our mailing list for updates on future courses.

Drawing is a fundamental skill instinctive from an early age, however, for whatever reason, a lot of people give up when they are young.  On this course you will learn to reconnect with drawing through a series of enjoyable exercises designed to develop skills in translating what we see onto paper. Still life subject matter will be primarily used as a source of inspiration.

What will the course or workshop cover and how will it be taught?

With expert guidance, tutor demonstrations and within a supportive and social setting, you will be able to achieve drawings that you are proud of.

You will learn to: 

1. Explore different drawing techniques using pencil, graphite, charcoal and pastel.
2. Connect with your observation of a subject matter through some enjoyable tasks that will increase your skills within the discipline of drawing.
3. Appreciate elements that make up a good drawn composition through the practical application of different processes and techniques.
4. Apply some simple colour theories in the production of a coloured drawing.
5. Appreciate some different approaches to, and styles of, drawing by looking at artists’ work.

Different methods of teaching and learning will include practical work, demonstrations, group discussion, one–to-one advice and guidance, looking at work by other artists, and peer learning.

Important Information 

This course will be held in Studio 3. There are no sessions between 16-20 February. 

What do I need to bring? 

• A3 sketchbook of white cartridge paper.
• 6B, 7B, 8B or 9B pencil, or soft graphite pencils.
• Pencil sharpener.
• An ink pen such as a fine liner or marker pen.
• Willow charcoal and putty rubber.
• Cheap hairspray or artist’s fixative.
• (Optional) Other drawing materials like charcoal pencils, compressed charcoal sticks or conte sticks.

Are there any additional costs? 

No

About the tutor 

Catherine MacDiarmid has 29 years’ of experience teaching a range of art classes and applying her knowledge as a practising artist to her role as a Tutor.  She exhibits widely, including exhibiting in the BP Portrait in 2001/2, New Light Art Tour 2021/22 and 2023/24 (of outstanding Northern-based Artists) and regularly at the Mall Galleries.  Catherine has won many awards for her art. Most recently, being the Watercolour Materials Award in the Jacksons Painting Prize 2023.  She is an elected member of The Lakes Artists Society, the Contemporary British Portrait Painters and appeared in Sky Portrait Artists of the Year 2014, 2018 reaching the semi-finals in 2019.  As well as completing private portrait commissions her work is collected internationally and she works from her home-studio in Kendal.

See all Creative Learning courses here.