Drawing for Beginners - 2 Day Workshop

(Above) Example of Tutor's Work

This workshop aims to set out some of the basic principles of learning to draw, for either the very beginner or early intermediate student. Starting with the most elementary forms and geometric shapes, the classes aim to gradually introduce the student to more ephemeral forms and challenges within the process of drawing. This class will be well suited to any beginner or individual who has wanted some further grounding in some of the basic elements of drawing.

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DELIVERY MODE

Online

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COURSE OUTLINE

  • Basic geometric shapes and perspective: We will start by drawing basic shapes, such as circles and squares; followed by spheres, cubes and cylinders. Having observed these shapes, we will attempt to draw them in relation to perspectival space and the directional fall of light. We will then see how more complex forms can be understood in terms of these basic shapes.
  • Drawing and linear direction: Starting with a stick figure – an invaluable tool in describing the major centre lines of any form – we will gradually work towards conceiving of more complex forms in terms of two directional lines and basic geometric shapes, such as cylinders and cubes.
  • Foliage Study: A variety of contour drawings of a sprig of foliage will be undertaken at eye level, ground level and at varying distances from the student. These will be carefully shaded in with pencil to create a silhouette. The aim of this exercise is to compare and observe how the leaves of a plant appear at both different angles and distances. This is an invaluable lesson in comprehending how a particular plant species looks at different heights within the landscape and the degree to which we are able to see the shape of foliage at various distances.
  • Aerial perspective and the landscape: In this exercise we will focus on a section of a landscape print, in order to both observe and replicate its use of line, hatching and shading, in the depiction of distant foliage. This practice will help us gain an understanding of how artists communicate the ephemeral characteristics of the landscape at greater distances. The exercise will then be applied to photographic images of distant trees and foliage.


PLANNED LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

  1. Accurately conceive of objects in relation to both linear and aerial perspective.
  2. Gain an understanding of drawing organic objects in terms of their perceived centreline and the simplification of directional lines and geometric forms.
  3. Begin to apply line and shading to convey both solid and ephemeral forms.
  4. Have gained some foundational skills that introduce the student to principles that are fundamentally inherent to both drawing the human figure and the landscape.


MATERIALS LIST

  • Pencils 2H and HB
  • Kneedable Eraser
  • Stanley knife for sharpening
  • A3 sketch book
  • Ruler
  • A sprig of foliage in a jar

*   Refer to WEA course webpage for details of Art Supply Stockists.   Click on "Enrol" button below for link.


When:
Thursday 27 January - Friday 28 January 2022
10.00 AM - 1.00 PM

Where:
WEA Sydney
72 Bathurst Street