Fine Art: Drawing, Painting and Watercolour - Beginners and Improvers

About this course

The course introduces the grid method for breaking an image into sections, with demonstrations and practice exercises leading to an enlarged drawing based on each learner’s chosen source material. Participants examine line, shape, space and form while developing more precise observational drawing and hand-eye coordination. Once the drawing is established, the course explores tonal range, pencil gradients and mark-making to create contrast, texture, perspective and depth. Learners may also transfer their drawing to canvas and develop it with water-based colour media. Guidance is provided individually and in group settings, with discussion, critique and feedback on completed work.

What you'll learn

• Apply the grid method to enlarge a chosen image.
• Use line, shape, space and form to support more accurate observational drawing.
• Create tonal range using pencil gradients, shading and mark-making techniques.
• Develop contrast, texture, perspective and depth within a drawing.
• Transfer a drawing to canvas and develop it with water-based colour media.

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for learners of all abilities and experience levels, with activities adapted to individual starting points. Beginners are specifically welcomed, and participation includes individual guidance alongside group discussion, peer support, homework and critique.

• An interest in developing drawing or painting skills is given as the entry requirement.
• Learners work from visual source material of their choice.
• The course includes both individual guidance and group-based feedback.

Before you go

• Bring an A3 paper pad weighing 100 to 140gsm.
• Bring visual source material or imagery of choice.
• Bring graphite pencils from 4H to 6B, an eraser or putty rubber, a sharpener and masking tape.
• Bring water-based media and brushes.