Sketching at the British Museum

About this course

The course uses objects and artefacts in the British Museum as starting points for observational drawing, research and personal interpretation. Participants explore quick sketching, line, tone, pattern, texture, colour, light and shadow, while considering form, scale, spatial relationships and how displayed objects relate to one another. Teaching combines individual guidance, group discussion, a handout and an itinerary. Sketchbook work includes experimental and intuitive approaches, with reflection on developing practice and different ways of interpreting the collections.

What you'll learn

• Begin sketching a range of museum objects and artefacts from observation
• Experiment with different drawing methods, media and mark-making approaches
• Use sketching as a way to research and interpret collection objects
• Apply line, tone, pattern, texture, volume, form, scale and spatial relationships in sketches
• Sketch with greater confidence in a public museum setting

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for beginners, including learners who have not used a sketchbook before. A likely emphasis of the Beginner level is developing fundamental sketching approaches. Sessions involve individual guidance, group discussion, self-reflection and working in a public museum space.

• Suitable for learners new to sketchbooks
• Includes discussion and reflection alongside individual practical guidance
• Involves sketching objects from observation in a public museum setting

Before you go

• Bring an A5 or A4 hardback sketchbook, preferably one that opens flat.
• Bring portable, clean drawing materials such as 2B, 4B and 6B pencils, coloured pencils including white, a rubber, sharpener and a biro or fine-liner.
• Coloured or tonal paper is useful for working with colour materials.
• Water-based coloured pencils and a water-based graphite pencil are optional.