Sketching in St James Park

Ref: C2423314

Meet outside St James Park Cafe. Do you either love swans and geese or have a fear of them? Don't worry about the geese and swans they are quite social creatures. This course is for you to develop confident sketching skills drawing outside on location in St James Park. Learn ways to work out a composition and balance what is in front of you. Get an idea of where to start when confronted with all those plants, trees, water and birds that just want your sandwich! The tutor will give you tips on how to show atmosphere and mood of a place and how to include people and birds in your drawing, how to make a tonal contrast sketch, create rhythm to lead the eye around your drawing and work out the proportion and scale of objects. The tutor will also demonstrate sketching techniques using a variety of materials and different styles of drawing - from thumb nail sketching to building up a final composition.

Course aim

This sketching course covers quick drawing techniques to capture mood and atmosphere of a place. The course will also help you collect reference material to use later in your sketchbook.

Do I need any particular skills or experience?

  • This course is for beginners and improvers

By the end of the course I should be able to:

  • Start a sketch book diary and be confident to sketch at home and outdoors.
  • You will develop techniques to show tonal contrast and composition skills making a 3-dimensional drawing.
  • Learn some quick sketching techniques to break down people and geese, swans into basic forms as well as collecting reference material for later.
  • You will develop skills to sketch with chalk pastels on sugar paper or pastel paper.
  • Improve your well-being through enjoying an art session working with other people and socialising with others interested in art.

How will I be taught?

What kind of feedback can I expect?

What else do I need to know?

You will need to bring your own art materials, a small folding seat and plastic bag to sit on; A sketch book A4 or A3 of cartridge paper. Pencils HB, 2B, 5B. Charcoal and a putty rubber or a charcoal pencil. Artists Chalk pastels. Pastel/ sugar paper, Tissue for cleaning. Fixative or hairspray

Pre-course work, reading and information sources

What can I do next?

View full course information sheet

Sketching in St James Park

Is this course right for me? Request more information
Enrolment Conditions

This course is funded by the Greater London Combined Authority but is also open to residents of other areas.

As a registered charity, and to meet our funders’ requirements, we need to check a few things with you before you enrol. Please check the details below to ensure you meet the basic eligibility critiera:

  • You are paying the standard fee (with a credit or debit card) or you are on any of the qualifying benefits
  • You have a valid email address so that you can receive confirmation of your booking
  • You have been resident in the UK, EU or EEA for the last 3 years
  • You are aged 19 years or older on 1st September 2021
  • You declare that the address you provide is correct and that you will provide evidence of this and your eligibility to live and work in the UK
  • You have read and accept our standard terms and conditions

Not sure or have further questions? Contact courseenquiries@wea.org.uk

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