Drawing for Beginners
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£385
- Start Date(s): 29 September 2025, 2 February 2026
- Duration: Mondays 6 - 8:30 pm, eight weeks
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
29 September - 17 November 2025, Mondays 6 - 8:30 pm
2 February - 23 March 2026, Mondays 6 - 8:30 pm
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.
This course aims to enhance your ability to produce expressive, analytical, mixed media and collaborative drawings.
It will also improve your knowledge and understanding of traditional and contemporary approaches to drawing and mark making.
Topics and content will be dictated largely by the aspirations of the group.
However, the key themes will include analytical drawing, life drawing, objective drawing, expressionistic mark making, psychogeography and presentation values.
-
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:
"I would really recommend this course! There was no risk of getting bored! The tutor was excellent and I felt we had a really great introduction into a variety of areas and got incredibly useful feedback." RS
"I liked the freedom of expression and historical links to artists that were all new to me." SD
"The group were fab! Really enjoyed it, and recommended to many already." CA
"Fantastic insight into drawing, very practical and learned a lot thanks to Chris." JP
"Very interesting class, Chris is a great teacher." PA
"Chris was great! Enjoyed the topics, experimenting, everything!" SW
"Absolutely loved it. You are a great teacher Chris." CR
'I wanted to do this course as I enjoy drawing and wanted to improve my skills. This course has given me a different perspective on art and ways of seeing. The tutor was excellent, and the class was a lovely group of people. I most enjoyed the way that success was celebrated sincerely, and the value placed on compositions was life affirming.' GD
'I booked a place on this course to develop drawing skills to be able to create storyboards. From doing this course I have learnt about linear perspective, mark making and shading.' TO
'This course has allowed me to do something for myself and explore my creativity! I’ve learnt drawing techniques that I will carry on using after the course. I found it valuable to learn from others and have lots of practical time.' NA
'I wanted to do something fulfilling outside of the stresses of work and regular education. I feel like I have progressed in understanding the foundational skills around drawing. I enjoyed the discussions and I really enjoyed life drawing, I will definitely continue to try and improve my skills here, I also enjoyed the more abstract aspects of drawing.' AN
What you’ll study
As a result of attending this course, it will be possible for you to produce expressive drawings with confidence.
You’ll be able to produce work that crosses media, that attests to an enhanced understanding of context and an appreciation of psychogeography.
You will also be able to use appropriate terms such as linear perspective, orthographic projection, frottage, mark-making, psychogeography, semiotics and more with confidence and in context.
- be introduced to mark-making
- discuss and define key terms
- work individually and in groups to create collaborative drawings
- create expressive drawings
- produce analytical drawings (linear perspective and objective drawing)
- have a session with a life model
- complete mixed media drawings and explore cross media composition
- examine the dominating space
- Drawing games, approaches to mark making, exploring media and visual place making
- Documented derive (sketching and walking)
- An exploration of linear perspective and composition
- Figures in space
- Drawing, presenting, reading, and curating
Student Work
How you’re taught
This is a hands on, practical course taught in our professional paining and drawing studios.
Careers and employability
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.
Campus and facilities
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 drawing space that is well-equipped with easels and space to develop your ideas and create exciting work.
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: Beginner
Entry requirement: No experience is required.
You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £385.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, including 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:
- Black felt-tipped marker pens
- Graphite sticks
- A roll of masking tape
- As the course progresses you will be asked to source some collage materials.
- Paper will be provided.
If you would like to do some pre-course reading, 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.
How to apply
You can book your place via the NTU online store:
29 September - 17 November 2025, Mondays 6 - 8:30 pm
2 February - 23 March 2026, Mondays 6 - 8:30 pm
Browse all our short courses in fine art.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813