Drawing for Beginners - Intensive

Whether you're brand new to drawing or returning after a break, this 3-day intensive course offers a supportive, step-by-step introduction to foundational techniques. Artist Rose Montgomery-Whicher will help you learn to see like an artist, build confidence, and experience the calming joy of drawing. No “talent” required—just curiosity and a willingness to explore.

Drawing for Beginners-Intensive is a condensed course designed for individuals who wish to get an introduction or reconnect with the fundamentals of drawing. This course is built on the belief that drawing is for everyone, not just the "talented," aiming to provide a solid foundation for further practice and enjoyment of visual arts. The structured curriculum guides students step-by-step, gradually building skills and confidence.

Through engaging exercises, students will learn to "see with an artist's eye," focusing on lines, shapes, and areas of light and dark. Participants will explore various drawing techniques, developing the skills to draw what they see, whether it's a still life, a face, or a landscape. In addition to drawing from observation, students will work from memory and artists' drawings.

The course fosters the pleasures of drawing, including its calming effect and its ability to help us see the world with renewed wonder. Students are encouraged to share their challenges and joys in a supportive environment.

- Basic Drawing Techniques: Gain proficiency in fundamental techniques, including line drawing, shading, proportions, and composition.
- Develop Observational Skills: Learn to observe and translate the physical world into marks on paper with a reasonable degree of accuracy.
- Build Confidence: Gain confidence in drawing abilities, overcome apprehension and perfectionism, and foster a positive relationship with art-making.

Pad of drawing paper or wirebound sketchbook that is at least 9 x 12 inches with at least 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 pencils are especially nice; Derwent and Faber-Castell are also good)
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
Graphite stick, flat rectangular - 2B (make sure this is graphite and not charcoal, also not compressed graphite.)
Willow charcoal