Ref: SWE31873
Gain essential knowledge of how to plan and approach the making of accurate life drawings. Learn about the structure of the body, use of materials and techniques to develop your drawing skills. This step-by-step course guides you through the key techniques used to create an accurate likeness by drawing the human body from observation.
Working from life models, you will explore methods of measurement and observation, develop an understanding of the structure of the human body and investigate the key spatial and shape relationships within.
Working with a range of pencils or drawing materials of your choice, you will further experiment with tone and line quality to understand how this can affect your drawing.
You will gain first-hand experience of the key drawing techniques required when making accurate drawings from life, a clear understanding of the physical shape and structure of the human body and experience of materials and their effects on your work.
With a focus on individual development, the course is a series of tutored drawing sessions that will provide both group and individual exercises. There are short group assessments at key stages throughout the course. There is a strong emphasis on development and practice of technique to help enhance your personal drawing skills and exploration of style, rather than working towards a limited number of finished drawings.
The course will equip you with essential knowledge of how to plan and approach the making of a life drawing. You will also be able to use what you learn about the structure of the human body to inform and improve your life drawings, and apply your experience of materials and techniques to further enhance and develop your life drawing skills.
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above
Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Last day
Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)
Andrew Fitchett is a practicing painter working in oils and West Dean tutor since 2006. Since his career in Advertising where he ran creative courses Andrew paints and teaches from his studio in East Sussex. Andrew's work is in private collections across Europe.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
Places available - Book now
Places available - Book now
Places available - Book now
Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study.
Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.