Contemporary Life Drawing
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£220 (Summer Term 2025), £195 (Summer School 2025) or £225
- Start Date(s): 12 June 2025, 10 July 2025, 28 February 2026, 23 May 2026
- Duration: Thursdays 6 - 8.30 pm, four weeks, Thursday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, two days or Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm, two weeks
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
12 June - 3 July 2025, Thursdays 6 - 8.30 pm
10 - 11 July 2025, Thursday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
28 February - 7 March 2026, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
23 - 30 May 2026, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
On this course, you’ll learn key strategies to help you draw the figure and begin experimenting with new approaches.
It’s open to beginners, but will also suit those already familiar with life drawing.
The course is therefore ideal for anyone wanting to upskill, for personal or professional development.
Whilst there are a wealth of life drawing classes out there, very few encourage the use of contemporary approaches.
This is despite the influences of work by the likes of Egon Schiele and Jenny Saville, both of whom have pushed the boundaries of traditional life drawing.
Formal ideas such as proportion, form, pictorial space and composition are essential concepts and will always be part of the artistic challenge, but this course aims to take a step further.
It will start by covering essential topics such as proportion, shading, foreshortening and methods of measurement, but will quickly develop to allow you to experiment beyond the boundaries of these artistic conventions.
The aim of the course is to allow you the opportunity to explore your own creativity, and develop contemporary responses to drawing from direct observation.
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You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas. -
With a limited class size you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your designs at home or work. -
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices. -
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.
Here's what our previous attendees said:
‘Gained confidence in life drawing, and enjoyed collaborating with the life model. Many thanks!'
‘Great tutor, great class! Improved drawing skills and have a greater knowledge of contemporary art practices.' SG
‘I wanted to do this course so I could have a go in a bite-sized format. I've taken away new ideas and approaches to drawing.' FR
‘I've learnt many new techniques for life drawing and sketching. I wanted to improve my drawing skills and collect pieces for a portfolio - being taught new ways to express ideas such as using stencils, graphite and frotage was most enjoyable. Talking and getting feedback was great too.' JM
'Well structured, with a nice amount of input from the tutor when required, enjoyed it very much.' LH
'The course was great, would recommend. I enjoyed having a lot of time with a life model.' WM
'We got practical experience of life drawing and were introduced and encouraged to use to new media.' GG
'I enjoyed it all, Chris was engaging and positive, and very supportive. Great course, very well presented. Loved it!'
'From doing this course I have an improved inquisitive spirit, and the desire to learn and experiment more.'
What you’ll study
Practical assignments will be underpinned by theory and art historical references, and so there’ll be discussions regarding the importance of the human form throughout history - and how it remains relevant today.
You’ll leave with an increased confidence in drawing and knowledge of the human form and its presence in art history.
You’ll also have a deeper understanding of key drawing concepts, and a greater awareness of your own individual creativity.
- complete set practical drawing tasks
- undertake independent drawing
- follow tutor demonstrations
- receive one-to-one feedback and group critiques.
Student Work
How you’re taught
You will be based in the Waverley Building, a beautifully restored, listed building with real design heritage in the School of Art and Design on the City Campus.
You will work in the Dame Laura Knight studio: a large, airy life drawing space that is well-equipped with easels, lighting rigs and space to develop your ideas and create exciting work.
You’ll leave with an increased confidence in drawing and knowledge of the human form and its presence in art history.
You’ll also have a deeper understanding of key drawing concepts, and a greater awareness of your own individual creativity.
Contact hours
You will receive 10 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
The course could be a means to progress within fine art into different materials or approaches.
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.
After the course, you will be able to progress onto the Portraiture Painting course, developing your figurative drawing and painting skills further.
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the School of Art and Design on the City Campus.
You'll find bright drawing and painting studio and workshop spaces to develop your ideas and create exciting work.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
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.
Entry requirements
Level: Open to all
Entry requirement: Beginners as well as those with some drawing experience are welcome.
You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £220 (Summer Term 2025), £195 (Summer School 2025) or £225.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, including most materials to create your designs and other great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
Please bring with you to the first session:
- A selection of pencils
- Charcoal sticks
- Eraser
- Pencil sharpener/craft knife
- Any other materials that you like to work with
If you would like to do some pre-course research, you can look at:
- Kaupelis, R. Experimental Drawing. Watson-Guptil Publications. NYC. 1980
- Birch, H. Drawn from Life. Chronical Books. San Francisco. 2017
- Berger, J. Ways of Seeing. Pelican. BBC London. 1972
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
Need accommodation for a week long summer course?
Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £259 per week.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
Find out more and book your accommodation here.
How to apply
You can book your place for the following dates via the NTU online store:
12 June - 3 July 2025, Thursdays 6 - 8.30 pm
10 - 11 July 2025, Thursday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
28 February - 7 March 2026, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
23 - 30 May 2026, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
Browse all short courses in fine art.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813