This course, guided by the talented Rachel Crummey, is designed for those eager to immerse themselves in the world of drawing. It’s ideal for beginners, the apprehensive, and anyone creatively curious. Drawing not only enhances concentration but also serves as a soothing practice, laying the groundwork for a fulfilling visual arts journey.

Inspired by the teachings of renowned drawing instructor Betty Edwards and MacArthur Genius artist Lynda Barry, this course invites you to explore and express your unique creative voice through a series of dynamic exercises. You’ll build confidence in observational drawing while also experimenting with abstract and improvisational techniques. The curriculum encompasses essential skills such as contour drawing, effective shading, and the versatile use of various media, including graphite, pen, and coloured pencils. Emphasizing mindfulness and sensory awareness, this course encourages you to slow down, observe with precision, and experience the transformative, therapeutic benefits of drawing in a supportive and inspiring environment.

• Define and apply foundational observational drawing techniques.
• Cultivate skills in contour drawing and shading to create form and depth.
• Explore and utilize various drawing media, including graphite, pen, and coloured pencils.
• Develop an understanding of abstract and improvisational drawing approaches.
• Construct drawings that reflect mindfulness and heightened sensory awareness.

• Pad of drawing paper or wire bound sketchbook (at least 9×12” with minimum of 40 sheets of paper). Look for white paper with a slightly rough texture or ’tooth’ that is not too thin – at least 60lbs, such as Canson Universal Sketch, Strathmore 300 series, Strathmore recycled sketch.
• 2B pencil (Staedtler Mars Lumograph pencils are especially nice; Derwent and Faber-Castell are also good brands)
• Pencil sharpener and something to catch the sharpenings
• White eraser
• Kneaded eraser
• One flat rectangular stick of graphite, 2B. Look for General’s brand. 
• Very fine pen with permanent black ink, such as Sakura Pigma Micron or Staedtler Pigment Liner 0.3 or 0.5 or an Extra Fine Sharpie.
• A few sticks of willow charcoal 

Nice to have not not essential:

• Smaller sketchbook for practice between classes and drawing-on-the-go
• Variety of pencils, such as F or B and 4B, 6B
• Pad of Strathmore 300 paper for charcoal
• Blending stump