Specifically for beginners, this step-by-step course guides you through the key techniques that will improve your powers of observation and get you drawing with confidence. The focus will be on the basics of how to accurately record proportion, mark-making through the exploration of different drawing materials and light and shade techniques that will give your drawings form.
You will gain first-hand experience of key drawing techniques that you can continue to use to improve your drawing accuracy and style.
Using a range of drawing materials on paper, you will work from still life arrangements, following several distinct stages to build up the drawings from planning to tonal work.
The course is a series of drawing workshops, including group and individual tutoring. There are short group assessments at key stages throughout the course, and individual style and experimentation are encouraged. There is an emphasis on the development and practice of technique, rather than the production of a finished drawing.
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above
Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Last day
Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)
Andrew Fitchett is a practicing painter working in oils and West Dean tutor since 2006. Since his career in Advertising where he ran creative courses Andrew paints and teaches from his studio in East Sussex. Andrew's work is in private collections across Europe.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study.
Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.
