Explore the art of drawing in its purest form.
Students will move beyond realism and representation by trusting their innate imagination, intuition, and sense of play.
Transform and re-energise art making by nurturing inner creativity and freedom of imagination.
A variety of exercises will help students free their imagination and develop mark-making that express a new playful and expressive attitude towards drawing and painting. Students will use a range of traditional materials and new techniques to make drawings that revel in their sheer joy of being expressive.
The purity of mark-making
Session 1 Discover the connection between the marks you make and self-expression. Making drawings using a variety of materials gives students the opportunity to explore and experiment with familiar and unusual materials and techniques.
Feeding the imagination
Session 2 Making expressive abstract drawings requires a wealth of inspiration to ensure a continual replenishment of ideas so drawings continue to evolve, change, and develop. Students learn techniques that enables them to find new mark-making ideas from the world around them.
Simplifying ideas
Session 3 Distilling mark-making ideas to their essence is central to creating strong visually clear images. Less is often more, and students learn techniques that enable them to distil ideas to their central concept to create increasingly dynamic drawings.
Beyond the boundaries
Session 4 Embracing spontaneity and freedom of expression requires setting boundaries and this session looks at how this can be achieved. Students will work on a variety of mini projects with limitations, that will set their imaginations free.
By the end of the course…
Students will leave inspired and excited about the possibilities of pure mark-making and self-expression, understanding it can be applied to all styles of drawing from realistic to abstract.
Daler Rowney: A2 size Fine Grain heavy weight drawing pad 200gsm
Winsor + Newton: A2 size Medium Surface cartridge pad 220gsm
Optional items to bring Cloth for cleaning your hands Rag (old cloth) for smudging charcoal or paint Wear old clothes or bring an apron Pen and notebook for taking notes
To help you decide what level course is best, you will see Teaching Levels on each of the course pages above the ‘Add to cart’ button.
Students will always benefit from clear instructions and lots of one-to-one tuition on all of my courses.
Level 1: Absolute-beginner For those students who have never done any art or are returning to art after a very long break. Teaching focuses on core skills with tutor-led exercises on use of materials and techniques
Level 2: Beginner + Improver For those students who have done some art learning, draw or paint occasionally at home or attend an art group, and feel they need to gain a foundation in the basic techniques. Teaching focuses on core skills, understanding and use of the Art Elements + Principles, materials + techniques, with tutor-led exercises and mini projects.
Level 3: Intermediate For those students who have learnt the basic techniques, have gained some artistic confidence and are seeking to develop their skills further to create more complex work. Teaching focuses on developing art skills, creative techniques and individual styles, students’ ability to self-assess their work, encouraging experimentation, with tutor-led exercises and time for extended projects with the benefit of group critiques.
Level 4: Experienced For those students confident in their abilities and techniques, who are looking to challenge themselves further, to create a coherent body of work, possibly to exhibit and sell. Teaching focuses on guiding students in developing their own ideas and self-directed practice, through enhancing personal skills and techniques and encouraging a deeper contextual awareness with the benefit of one-to-one tutorials.
There are 2 approaches to deciding what to do next.
Treat my courses as a Mix + Match Patchwork
All my courses can be booked as single stand-alone courses on whichever topic takes your interest.
Just book whichever course you want when it suits you.
Choose one of the linked courses at the bottom of this page
These courses are suggestions that will help you develop and progress your art in a more focused direction.
Whichever approach you choose, remember to check the Teaching Levels (eg: Level 1, Level 2, or mixed ability).
Student Quotes
“Lots of new techniques & materials. Ideas for different ways of making marks, encouragement to be expressive, inspiration to be creative with techniques, ideas and materials.” Nicola D
“Very enjoyable, non-intimidating teaching style, accommodation for individual creativity with tips and ideas offered at the right level.” Denise H
“Different mark making techniques, useful in all aspects of my art. Useful skills to start uni[versity] with. Felt like a lot was fitted into a short space of time. Learnt more than I thought I would.” Daisy M
Expressive mark-making
Priced per course
Explore the art of drawing in its purest form.
Students will move beyond realism and representation by trusting their innate imagination, intuition, and sense of play.
Transform and re-energise art making by nurturing inner creativity and freedom of imagination.
Suitable for: Adults
Teaching Level: Beginners, Improvers, Intermediate
Course Structure
A variety of exercises will help students free their imagination and develop mark-making that express a new playful and expressive attitude towards drawing and painting. Students will use a range of traditional materials and new techniques to make drawings that revel in their sheer joy of being expressive.
The purity of mark-making
Session 1
Discover the connection between the marks you make and self-expression. Making drawings using a variety of materials gives students the opportunity to explore and experiment with familiar and unusual materials and techniques.
Feeding the imagination
Session 2
Making expressive abstract drawings requires a wealth of inspiration to ensure a continual replenishment of ideas so drawings continue to evolve, change, and develop. Students learn techniques that enables them to find new mark-making ideas from the world around them.
Simplifying ideas
Session 3
Distilling mark-making ideas to their essence is central to creating strong visually clear images. Less is often more, and students learn techniques that enable them to distil ideas to their central concept to create increasingly dynamic drawings.
Beyond the boundaries
Session 4
Embracing spontaneity and freedom of expression requires setting boundaries and this session looks at how this can be achieved. Students will work on a variety of mini projects with limitations, that will set their imaginations free.
By the end of the course…
Students will leave inspired and excited about the possibilities of pure mark-making and self-expression, understanding it can be applied to all styles of drawing from realistic to abstract.
Helpful info + Guidance
Please read carefully
Information here over-rides similar information in the ‘Course info’ tab.
Course information
Group size
Refreshments
Please read the Studio COVID-SECURE procedures: Click here >
__________________________________
Days: Sat + Sun
Times: 10-4pm, both days
Materials: Includes most materials, other than the materials students are asked to bring
Suitable for: Adults
Teaching Level: Beginners, Improvers, Intermediate
Group Size: Min 6 – Max 10
Your tutor: Brian Raymond biography >
Refreshments:
Course includes tea, coffee & biscuits. Please provide your own lunch on full day courses, workshops and classes.
Essential items to bring
Fine Grain heavy weight drawing pad
200gsm
Medium Surface cartridge pad
220gsm
Optional items to bring
Cloth for cleaning your hands
Rag (old cloth) for smudging charcoal or paint
Wear old clothes or bring an apron
Pen and notebook for taking notes
To help you answer the question,
“What level course is right for me?”
To help you decide what level course is best, you will see Teaching Levels on each of the course pages above the ‘Add to cart’ button.
Students will always benefit from clear instructions and lots of one-to-one tuition on all of my courses.
Level 1: Absolute-beginner
For those students who have never done any art or are returning to art after a very long break.
Teaching focuses on core skills with tutor-led exercises on use of materials and techniques
Level 2: Beginner + Improver
For those students who have done some art learning, draw or paint occasionally at home or attend an art group, and feel they need to gain a foundation in the basic techniques.
Teaching focuses on core skills, understanding and use of the Art Elements + Principles, materials + techniques, with tutor-led exercises and mini projects.
Level 3: Intermediate
For those students who have learnt the basic techniques, have gained some artistic confidence and are seeking to develop their skills further to create more complex work.
Teaching focuses on developing art skills, creative techniques and individual styles, students’ ability to self-assess their work, encouraging experimentation, with tutor-led exercises and time for extended projects with the benefit of group critiques.
Level 4: Experienced
For those students confident in their abilities and techniques, who are looking to challenge themselves further, to create a coherent body of work, possibly to exhibit and sell.
Teaching focuses on guiding students in developing their own ideas and self-directed practice, through enhancing personal skills and techniques and encouraging a deeper contextual awareness with the benefit of one-to-one tutorials.
To help you answer the question,
“What course should I do next?”
There are 2 approaches to deciding what to do next.
Whichever approach you choose, remember to check the Teaching Levels (eg: Level 1, Level 2, or mixed ability).
Student Quotes
More reviews >
Waiting list
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Linked Courses + Products
Abstract Art
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£140.00 Select optionsAcrylic painting L1
£140.00 Select optionsRelated products
The Art Elements
£210.00 Select optionsArt + Creativity
£350.00 Select optionsEssential Drawing Foundations
£210.00 Select options