Drawing from Life, Dance and Movement for 15 – 17 Year Olds
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£525
- Start Date(s): 4 August 2025
- Duration: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, one week
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
4 - 8 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Step into a world where art and movement collide! This exciting and energetic course invites you to explore contemporary approaches to life drawing inspired by the dynamic energy of dance.
Guided by professional artists and choreographers, you'll learn to express the power and grace of the human body in motion through innovative drawing techniques. Whether you're new to drawing or already have some experience, this course will help you take your skills to the next level in a creative, collaborative environment.
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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 from a well-respected University
Doing your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Award?
This course can count as your Gold DofE Residential Award and is an amazing opportunity to make new friends and memories. It will be fun and gently challenging, allowing you to follow your passion and discover talents you never knew you had.
DofE participants must book both the course and accommodation on campus for this to count towards your Gold Award.
You must also attend the social events that are planned on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and you must plan and attend your own social activities with other participants on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
What you’ll study
This immersive course combines traditional and contemporary approaches to figure drawing, with a focus on the expressive qualities of movement.
During this course you will:
- draw live (clothed) models in dynamic poses, capturing the essence of motion
- experiment with innovative mark-making techniques
- explore the interplay between movement, space, and composition
- learn about the somatic theory and how it informs contemporary drawing practices
- develop your unique style through mixed-media experimentation.
Discover the thrill of bringing movement to life on paper on this innovative course that blends the grace of dance with the creativity of drawing; perfect for aspiring artists and creators looking for a one-of-a-kind experience.
While the course has a structured outline, the content will adapt to your interests and creative aspirations. Whether working solo or collaborating with peers, you’ll be encouraged to experiment and innovate.
You'll leave with enhanced drawing skills and a portfolio of impressive work.
Social events
We appoint NTU Student Ambassadors who host social events on Monday and Wednesday evening to help you make friends across the whole of our summer school programme for 15-17 year olds, which are free to attend.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll study:
Icebreaker drawing games, drawing to music, continuous line work, and capturing fabrics in motion.
Embodied drawing techniques and collaborative exercises with live, moving models.
Dive into contemporary life drawing methods, exploring context and mixed media.
Discover performative drawing approaches and create a score for the dancer.
Create a summative artwork showcasing “bodies in motion,” and present your work with confidence in a final group evaluation.
How you’re taught
This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University.
Contact hours
You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
The course is designed to give you a real experience of university life, make new friends who share similar interests and develop your portfolio so that ultimately, you can make an informed decision about your future.
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 Nottingham 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’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.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
Entry requirements
Level: Open to all
Entry requirement: You should have an enthusiasm for drawing.
You must be 15, 16 or 17 years old at the time of the course in order to attend.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £525.
Payment is due at the time of booking.
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 and include 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 on the first day:
- A3 sketchbook
- Sketching pencils
- Any art and design materials you like working with, such as pastels, colour pens or watercolour paints and brushes.
All other materials will be provided.
Read our booking terms and conditions.
Need accommodation?
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, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation.
If you're aged 16 or 17 then you can stay unaccompanied with agreement from a parent/guardian (to support safeguarding, all guests aged 16 and 17 will be accommodated together in the same halls of residence and there is a dedicated Warden available).
If you're aged 15 then you can stay as long as you are accompanied by a parent/guardian (you must book two separate rooms and let us know so we can place you in rooms next to each other).
This option is particularly popular with students completing their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Award.
Find out more and book your accommodation here.
Looking to turn your one-week course into a two-week experience?
If you can match this with any second course, you’ll receive a 10% refund on your course fees (email the short course team with your order number to claim the refund).
How to apply
You can book this course via the NTU online store:
4 - 8 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Browse all our summer courses for 15 – 17 year olds.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813