Drawing: Beginners

Students will explore and develop some key concepts and skills involved in understanding and making drawings through a series of observational drawing exercises. Students will develop the ability to structure representational drawings that incorporate a selection of drawing implements and mediums. Students will also begin to develop and explore their own personal style and approach to drawing.

Course Structure

Introduction to Drawing
• Overview of tools and materials
• Basic mark-making and line exercises
• Understanding proportion and scale

Tonal Value and Shading
• Light and shadow fundamentals
• Creating depth and dimension
• Techniques for smooth and textured shading

Composition 
• Principles of composition
• Balancing elements within a drawing
• Explore mixed media techniques

Observational Drawing
• Drawing from life: still life and natural forms
• Capturing gesture and movement
• Strategies for accurate observation

Developing Personal Style
• Experimenting with different mediums
• Exploring expressive mark-making
• Creating a final piece that reflects individual style

By the end of the course, students will:
• Understand and apply key concepts such as tonal value, line quality, proportion, and composition.
• Develop the ability to create structured representational drawings using a range of drawing implements and mediums.
• Strengthen observational skills to accurately capture objects, spaces, and textures.
• Begin to explore and refine their own personal style and creative approach to drawing.

Artist Carolyn Large

Carolyn Large is a practising artist located in the beautiful Macedon Ranges. As a member of the Sunbury Art Society and the Woodend Art Group she has participated in a number of exhibitions including Trentham, Woodend, Sunbury and the Melbourne City Council.

Carolyn specialises in pet portrait commission work, portraits and landscapes, working primarily in pastel, charcoal and acrylic paint mediums. Carolyn also works as a textile artist, specialising in needle felting. She has achieved commercial success in both 3-D and 2-D felting and continues to expand her skills in “painting” with wool to produce works of beauty that reflect the natural environment.

Please bring to your first class the following materials:

– A3 sketch pad
– Willow charcoal stick
– Kneadable eraser
– HB pencil
– 4B pencil
– Ruler

Further materials requirements will be discussed in the first session. It is expected that materials are likely to cost approx $30 depending on how much you may already own.

Notification of a class cancellation will be advised 48 hours prior to the course commencement date. We advise to purchase your materials once you have received email confirmation that your class is proceeding as scheduled. All efforts are made to ensure that our classes proceed to avoid disappointment.