Drawing in Colour

Online classes

Unlock colour’s full spectrum with artist Deidre Wicks. Weave vibrant textures and luminous depth using pencils, conte, and crayons—transforming everyday subjects into rich chromatic narratives. For drawers craving bold experimentation or subtle nuance, this course bridges theory and intuitive expression.

Drawing in colour offers endless possibilities for expression, depth, and texture. This course, led by artist Deidre Wicks, explores the power of colour through coloured pencils, conte, and crayons, guiding students through techniques that bring vibrancy and dimension to their drawings.

Students will learn how to blend, layer, and apply colour to create a range of textures and tones while studying colour theory, mark-making, and colour relationships. From soft shading to bold strokes, this course encourages a playful yet structured approach to working in colour.

Using a variety of subject matter, students will experiment with composition, contrast, and colour harmonies, learning how to capture form, light, and atmosphere through drawing. Whether refining an existing practice or exploring colour for the first time, this course provides a space to understand, explore, and enjoy the richness of drawing in colour.

Gain a strong foundation in colour theory, understanding how colours interact and influence one another.
Learn blending and layering techniques to create depth and dimension.
Experiment with mark-making approaches using coloured pencils, conte, and crayons.
Explore texture and form, studying how different applications can create a variety of surfaces and effects.
Develop a personal approach to drawing in colour, using composition and contrast effectively.
Complete a series of drawings that showcase an expanded understanding of colour and its expressive potential.

Pencils for sketching
Eraser
Conte (or other dry pastel sticks or pencils)
Crayons – a box of Crayola crayons (yup THOSE crayons!) You can also bring a set of Neocolor i or ii
Paper (A good, basic drawing paper is enough for the course but I’ll be demonstrating on a wide variety of papers)

Sketching paper
A good quality white drawing paper with some texture (i.e. Canson Mi-Teintes)
SMOOTH paper such as a Bristol smooth
Smooth (hot press) watercolour paper
Black and Coloured paper (I like Mi-Teintes coloured papers and Strathmore Black mixed media
A white sanded pastel paper such as Pastelmat
Brushes – and old, worn paint brush is great for blending and smudging