Illustration: Storytelling through Drawing
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£435
- Start Date(s): 21 July 2025, 4 October 2025
- Duration: Monday to Friday 10 am - 4pm, one week or Saturdays 10 am - 12:30 pm, five weeks
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Couse dates:
21 - 25 July 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
4 October - 1 November 2025, Saturdays 10 am - 12:30 pm
Observational drawing is an essential skill for artists and illustrators to successfully document a visual representation of the world.
On this course you’ll create a visual reportage of the city by recording moments, events and situations, sketching from life and on location in Nottingham.
It’s 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.
Portraying life as it unfolds in front of you, you’ll tackle different approaches to documenting the city including drawing people, places and journeys.
You’ll reference the work of artists and reportage illustrators to study their subject matter and use of materials before heading out into the city to gather your own inspiration and apply ideas from these artists to your own work.
Each day you’ll focus on observing a different element of the city, from vistas and buildings to people and small moments that seem to go by unnoticed each day.
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On this course you’ll be challenged creatively with the support of a small group of like-minded people, with lots individual attention from the tutor to support your projects. -
You’ll curate and present your work in your own handmade book which you’ll take away with you at the end of the course. -
By the end of the course, you’ll be confident in observational drawing and have improved your understanding of reportage drawing. -
A certificate of attendance will be awarded upon completion of the course.
What you’ll study
Conveying a narrative from a specific moment in time, you’ll learn how to sketch quickly to capture the essence of the moment, rather than worrying over the details.
You’ll use a variety of art materials to explore line, form, tone and colour, and utilise framing and composition to bring your illustrations to life.
You’ll culminate each session with classroom discussions and critiques, curating and presenting your work into a handmade book.
You’ll be challenged creatively with the support of a small group of like-minded people, with lots individual attention from the tutor to support your projects.
By the end of the course, you’ll be confident in observational drawing and have improved your understanding of reportage drawing.
You’ll have curated and presented your work in your own handmade book which you’ll take away with you at the end of the course.
- complete quick practical drawing tasks to build your confidence
- explore contemporary ideas in mark-making and drawing techniques
- learn how to work on location and interact with your environment
- consider how to portray a conversation through a drawing
- find interesting narratives to convey in sketches
- develop your individual style, keeping a sketchbook full of your own ideas
- discover that stories and interesting visual material can be found anywhere
- consider what to capture in your drawings, and what to leave out
- create a handmade book of your most successful drawings and illustrations.
How you’re taught
This is a practical course taught in person based at the Nottingham Trent University city campus.
Contact hours
You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
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 on location around Nottingham City Centre, and also have a hub based in the Nottingham School of Art and Design on the City Campus.
You’ll find collaborative working spaces where you develop your sketches and concepts, and IT suites equipped with industry standard software including Adobe Creative Cloud.
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: No drawing experience is required; activities will be suited to all levels of abilities.
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 - 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:
- a sketchbook of any size to suit you
- a small pad of watercolour or cartridge paper
- coloured pencils and pens, and any other drawing medium you like to work with.
- You’ll be out in the city for some time each day whatever the weather, so we’d recommend bringing sturdy footwear and something to wear in case it rains.
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 via the NTU online store:
21 - 25 July 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
4 October - 1 November 2025, Saturdays 10 am - 12:30 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