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.
The college provides most of the materials including A2 cartridge paper, pencils, pencil sharpener and an eraser per student, and some charcoal and masking tape to share amongst the group.
Available from shop: A good variety of art materials, should you with to purchase anything
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals.
Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.
Students meet their tutor in the Bar at 7.30pm prompt to go to studios.
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 9pm (attendance is essential)
Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am - 5pm
Morning session: 9.15am - 12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm - 2pm*
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm
Teaching finishes: 3pm
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am. Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.
*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options
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.
