Life Drawing (Autumn)

WEEKLY: Wednesdays, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

DATES

12 weeks from 16th September 2026 

16, 23, 30 Sept

7, 14, 21 Oct

Half Term: 28th October 2026

4, 11, 18, 25 Nov

2, 9 Dec

Course Outline

A range of creative, academic and innovative exercises will help you improve your skills of objective observation and understanding of the human form. You’ll work from a range of life models with different body types, exploring both long and short poses. This balance allows you to develop quick gestural drawing alongside slower studies that focus on nuanced observation and accurate proportions.

It is helpful, although not essential, if you have a little general drawing experience. Throughout the course you’ll deepen your understanding of drawing through regular study from a life model, working at an easel during every session.

This course is open to beginners and those with life drawing experience.

Core Skills

• Learn objective and traditional observational methods.
• Learn how to structure the figure.
• Depict tonal values and understand the laws of light and shade.
• Explore angles, shapes and gesture.
• Develop your own creative response and approach.

Materials List

Please bring:

• A range of pencils (e.g. HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B)
• Pencil sharpener or scalpel
• 2 bulldog clips
• Masking tape
• Box of mixed-size willow charcoal sticks
• Putty rubber or ordinary eraser
• An A2 (or A3) pad of cartridge paper
• Minimum of 2 coloured pencils
• Approx. 2 sheets of A3 tracing paper
• 2 sheets of A2 or A3 black paper
• 2 sheets of A2 or A3 mid-toned paper (e.g. grey, brown, blue or beige)
• White conte or pastel pencil
• Brown or black conte or pastel pencil
• 30 cm ruler

Optional

• Cheap paper in any colour for warm-up studies
• Monozero small wedge-shaped pencil eraser
• Any other personally preferred materials, e.g. oil bar and Zest-it, pastels, paints, inks, pens, coloured pencils, conte crayons or pencils, black paper and white media etc.

If you’re a returning or experienced student, you’re welcome to use materials of your choice. Materials will be discussed during your first session, and you may already have art materials that can be used.

Please bring the following to your first session:

• Cartridge paper
• Pencils
• Charcoal
• Ruler
• Tracing paper
• Bulldog clips

What to Wear

Layers are best, as the room will be heated for the comfort of the life model and is rarely cold. It isn’t a particularly messy class, but you may wish to avoid wearing anything you don’t want to get charcoal on, or bring an apron.

Tutor Bio:

Emily Burton holds a BA in Graphic Design, specialising in illustration, and an MA in Drawing. With nearly twenty years’ experience teaching a wide range of art courses, she brings both expertise and enthusiasm to her classes.

Emily enjoys working with adults of all levels, valuing the humour, life experience and curiosity they bring. Her teaching is clear and structured, yet responsive to the needs and individuality of each student. She aims to create a supportive environment that nurtures confidence while also challenging those with more experience.

In both her teaching and personal practice, Emily encourages rigorous observation and creative experimentation.

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