Print this page Anyone Can Learn to Draw! A Course for Beginners

Starting with the most elementary geometric shapes, the course aims to gradually introduce the student to more challenges within the process of learning to draw; thus giving the beginner the necessary tools in a short time, to build on principles they can practice and repeat over a life time. The underlying assumption guiding these classes, is that absolutely anyone can learn to draw. 

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1.  Basic geometric shapes and perspective

• We will start by drawing basic shapes, such as spheres and cylinders. Having observed these shapes, we will attempt to draw them in relation to perspectival space.

Week 2. 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 basic geometric shapes.

Week 3. The Charles Bargue drawing course and the figure as directional lines: 

• In this class, we will look at how a nineteenth century drawing course undertaken by Van Gogh and Picasso, can help us to better simplify the forms we draw.

Weeks 4 and 5. The human figure and the refinement of directional lines: 

• Employing a life model, we will see how we can apply the lessons gained from the previous lessons to the figure.

Week 6. Basic gesture and action in the human figure:

• We will see how the figures weight is employed to express movement and action.

Week 7 and 8. Rendering and Shading:

• The final classes will introduce the student to shading for the purpose of conveying a believable sense of form.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

• Be able to draw objects in relation to proportional ratios and directional contours
• Accurately conceive of objects in relation to linear perspective.
• Gain a conceptual understanding of drawing that is applicable to empirical observation.
• Be able to render form and shade in relation to a given light source

MATERIALS LIST

• 2H pencil
• Oil based hard red chalk sanguine pencil
• A3 sketch book
• Kneadable eraser
• Stanley knife
• Two large metal board bulldog clips

IMPORTANT: Please arrive to the first class with all the relevant materials. A lack of materials is not just a handicap to you but to the ability to teach. Materials cost is not included in a course fee. In the event of a course being cancelled WEA cannot be held responsible for the purchase of any course materials. We therefore suggest you purchase your materials closer to the time of the course commencing.

ART SUPPLY STOCKISTS

The following stockists are examples of places where you can purchase art materials for your course:

• Art on King: 199-201 King Street, Newtown. Ph: 9516 2342
• Eckersley's Art and Craft Store: 93 York Street, Sydney. Ph: 9299 4151. Also located in various locations throughout Greater Sydney. WEA students receive a 10% discount on materials required for their course at the York Street store when showing their course confirmation email.
• Parkers Art Supplies: 3 Cambridge Street, The Rocks. Ph: 9247 9979
• The Art Scene: 914 Victoria Road, West Ryde. Ph: 9807 6900
• The Sydney Art Store: 11 Salisbury Street, Botany. Ph: 9699 2162

You can also purchase materials from places such as Dymocks, Officeworks, Spotlight, Lincraft or online art suppliers such as Art Shed Online.