Developing a sketchbook

Open a sketchbook and the artist is revealed in ways a finished work will never show. Through personal notes, sketches , and memories you will be inspired to record your own story. Using a variety of media and techniques, this course will foster the process of continually seeing, recording and experimenting.

Entry requirement:

No previous experience necessary, just a willingness to take 5 minutes a day to practise. You will be expected to provide your own materials and these are often available as single pieces rather than as sets.

What you will need for your first session:

Enthusiasm and a 2B pencil.

Overall course aims and objectives:

The course is intended to encourage artists to develop the habit of using a sketchbook. This will help you to continually practice the skills needed to observe clearly and accurately record what you see in a personal way. You will look at methods employed by other artists and will be encouraged to record findings and experiments in your sketchbook.

On this course you will develop the following skills:

Develop your skills by observing and recording a large variety of subject matter including the human form.

Develop confidence by drawing quickly.

Gain an understanding of the behaviour of different media including pencils, charcoal, conte, crayons, pen and ink and brushes.

Appreciate the many uses of a sketchbook for recording, experimenting, planning and collecting ideas to form a richly, personal source of material which may be developed into finished work.

Assessment – (homework, on line tests, and/or exams):

At the beginning of each session we will review and discuss with the group, any sketches that you have worked on during the week. You will learn through demonstration, group and individual instruction and personal experiment.

Progression and qualifications available from this course:

As this is a mixed ability class, progression can be made within the class or through other art classes with KAE.