Skip to content

Drawing Now

  • Level(s) of Study: Short course
  • Course Fee:

    £435

    *
  • Start Date(s): 4 October 2023
  • Duration: Wednesdays 6 - 8.30 pm, ten weeks
  • Study Mode(s): Short course
  • Campus: City Campus
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information
Apply now

Introduction:

This course is the ideal opportunity to explore traditional and modern approaches to drawing.

You’ll experiment with drawing from observation using still life as inspiration and draw from your own imagination practising random and free association drawing.

You’ll learn there’s no right or wrong way!

The course is aimed at the adventurous beginner and those with more experience as it will build upon the basics of drawing using line, edge, form and tone.

  • By the end of the course, you’ll have created a portfolio of new, innovative work.
  • The course could also be a means to progress within fine art into different materials or approaches.
  • If you're booking two months or more before the course starts, we can accept a £100 deposit to secure your place. The balance is due one month before the course starts.

What you’ll study

Taking artist Paul Klee’s description of drawing as ‘taking a line for a walk’ you’ll begin by doodling in biros, elaborate further by agitating surfaces, and then create finished drawings towards the end of course.

You’ll gain observational skills by drawing from man-made and natural forms, and increase your concentration, visualisation and creativity through imagination and automatic drawing.

Throughout the course there’ll be a range of practical activities and inspiring projects for you to engage with, supported by demonstrations of specific materials and techniques, and supportive group critiques.

You’ll study gesture, expression, positive and negative space, hatching, cross-hatching, continuous line and contour-drawing techniques.

During the course you will:

  • identify traditional and modern drawing techniques
  • complete observational and imaginative drawings
  • research your own subject matter that interests you
  • learn how to select the best materials to use
  • keep a sketchbook full of your own ideas
  • develop an individual drawing project.

The course will also include a trip to local art galleries and museums to help underpin your knowledge with theory and historical art references.

You’ll be encouraged to look closely and respond to your own environment and cultural experience when creating artwork.

How you’re taught

This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University city campus.

Tutor Profile:

Margot Shores has taught drawing and painting at the Royal Academy as well as schools and various universities and colleges.

In addition to her BA and MA in Fine Art she has a PGCE in Post-Compulsory Education and Training.

Margot’s expertise lies in providing a studio situation in which everyone can achieve their individual goals.

She specialises in experiential learning and questioning to enhance students’ creativity, offering a platform from which their art can be launched.

As a practising fine artist, Margot focuses on drawing and painting and undertakes commissions.

Materials list:

Please bring with you to the first session:

  • any drawing equipment you like to work with
  • a sketchbook (of any size)
  • biros, pencils and charcoal
  • inks and brushes
  • pastels (oil and/or chalk)
  • fixative or hairspray.

Your tutor will also provide some paper at the start of the course, to get you going.

Campus and facilities

Where you'll learn: You’ll be based in the School of Art and Design on the City Campus.

You'll find bright drawing studios to develop your ideas.

You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.

Take a Virtual Tour
Fine Art Studios and Workshops
Fine Art Studios and Workshops

Entry requirements

Level: Open to all

Entry requirement: Beginners as well as those with some painting experience are welcome.

You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course.

Fees and funding

The fee for this course is £435.

Payment is due at the time of booking.

How to apply

You can book your place via the NTU online store:

Evening course (4 October - 6 December 2023)

Browse all our short courses in art.

You may also be interested in:

Drawing Nottingham: A Visual Reportage of the City

This course is ideal if you’re interested in visual storytelling, whether you’re familiar with drawing and are looking to try a fresh approach, or if you’re an adventurous beginner looking for a new challenge.

Find out more

Drawing for Beginners

This course is an energetic exploration of the ways in which people use drawing and mark making to analyse and respond to physical (and metaphysical) spaces. It’s aimed at anyone who is new to drawing or people with experience looking for a challenge.

Find out more

Botanical Drawing and Illustration

This course, aimed at beginners and improvers, will develop your knowledge and skills in the field of botanical art and illustration. Typically, the course will appeal to those who have an interest in the natural world either as a result of hobbies (gardening, horticulture or painting) or through employment (landscape designers, conservationists and botanists).

Find out more

Animated Drawing and Graphics

Make your own short films using experimental drawing techniques and discover how to produce interesting hand-drawn animations without the use of digital technology or CGI. This course is for people who love drawing and people who don’t - you can have limited drawing skills and still achieve great results.

Find out more