Weekday Courses
This term we have an online Drawing course and in person Life Drawing course.
Life Drawing (in person)
Wednesday 6:00pm – 9:00pm
29 January – 19 March 2025 / 8 Wednesdays
Fee: £360
Course Tutor: Andy Pankhurst
Course Description
This course will offer students the opportunity to explore the visual language of drawing perceptually from the life model and encourage students to develop their own personal expression. In each session formal and conceptual aspects of drawing ‘as ways of thinking’ will be taught in relationship to the variety of possible materials that can be used. The weekly structure will include such concepts as: proportion, form, tone, temperature, colour, rhythm & movement, space and composition while suggesting materials to experiment with including; pencil, ink, charcoal, conté, chalk pastels amongst others.
Who should take this course?
This course suits a cross-section of experiences from complete beginners, to those who are more experienced, but would like to re-engage with essential skills in drawing.
Materials
Students will be sent a full materials list to purchase what is needed before the start of the course.
You will need to bring the following materials for the first session:
Range of pencils 2h – 6b
Erasers (putty and tablet)
A1 sheet of cartridge paper
Masking tape
Knife/Pencil sharpener
Sketchbook (recommended)
Lightweight A1 portfolio case (optional)
Drawing (online)
©Slade School of Fine Art
Tuesday, 6:00pm–9:00pm
11 February – 1 April 2025 / 8 Tuesday evenings
Fee: £360
Course tutors: Kate Hopkins and Sandra Smith
This online course of eight evening sessions offers students the opportunity to explore the core skills of drawing. The emphasis of the course is to explore drawing as a means of articulating form and as a tool for thinking, to encourage students to explore and nurture ideas through drawing, and as a feeder for ideas into their own art practice.
Using the concept of perception as the starting point for visual enquiry, we will be working almost entirely from observation. The sessions will be practical and supported by online live teaching, demonstration films and written material. They explore line, space and measure; light and tone; materials and surfaces; composition and proportion. There will be one session dedicated to drawing from reproductions of old master works in the National Gallery. Students will experiment with a variety of techniques and materials including pencil, ink, white chalk, willow and compressed charcoal.
The sessions have been designed to be worked on at home in a space no bigger than your table top. Students will be sent an introductory film a week in advance of the live session to familiarise themselves with the ideas, the practical set up the and exercises we will be undertaking. Every week students will receive a link to our online platform where you will be able to find all the pre-recorded videos, instructions and take part in your online live session.
Who should take this course?
This course suits a cross-section of experiences from complete beginners, to those who are more experienced but would like to explore the underpinnings and process of drawing.
Materials
Students will be sent a full materials list to purchase what is needed before the start of the course.
You will need to have the following materials for the first session:
A3 white cartridge paper x 2
an A4 sketchbook
masking tape
HB, B and 2B pencils
plastic eraser
sharpener
white ‘blackboard’ chalk
drawing board or support of some kind- cardboard or wood up to A2 if possible
a couple of newspapers
Biro or fine liner.
How online teaching works:
Students will have access to pre-recorded materials (videos) explaining the ideas behind the exercises as well as demos, how to set up the space, which materials to get ready and instructions for the exercises in advance of the live session.
You will be given an induction on Day 1 showing you how to upload your work onto Padlet - a communal digital platform where the work can be displayed. Technical support is available throughout the course. Once logged in to the live session each day will begin with an introduction, then students will be guided through theoretical talks and practical exercises by the tutor as the session progresses.
There will be PDFs to support the films that include the transcript and recommended reading. Access to the films and supportive material will be available to the students for some months after the conclusion of the course.
Feedback from online weekday courses
The teaching was excellent, the tutors were very approachable and informative and their criticism was constructive.
General information
Applicants
Short Courses are open to anyone aged seventeen and over.
Students under the age of 18
Slade Short Courses are designed for adults and the students attending our courses usually span a wide range of ages. For those students interested in attending a short course who are below the age of 18 (17+), we ask you to provide the following documents in addition to the application form so that we may consider you:
- A letter from the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, Head of Year or art teacher at your school stating your suitability for the course and
- A letter from your parent or guardian confirming personal liability and contents insurance has been set up for you.
Booking and payment
To book a place, please follow the link from your chosen course above to the UCL Online Store.
Course fee
The course fee covers tuition. The course fee does not include materials, you must supply all other materials yourself. The Slade will supply drawing boards, palettes and easels, as appropriate.
Refunds and cancellations
Cancellations are permitted up to one month before the start of a course, subject to a £25 cancellation fee. Refunds will not be made for cancellations less than one calendar month before the start of a course. Students who do not attend due to illness, personal or professional commitments do not have the right to a refund. For this reason we recommend that students take out personal insurance against any unforeseeable circumstances before the start of their course.
Before you start
Further course details and a materials list will be sent to you before the course begins.
Location
The Saturday courses will take place online or in person. Please check the course information carefully before booking.
Access
If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing sladeshortcourses@ucl.ac.uk or by phone on 020 7679 2317.
Safety
Short Course students are required to sign a Safety Compliance Form as part of UCL Health and Safety regulations.
Further information
Please contact the Slade on 020 7679 2317 or email sladeshortcourses@ucl.ac.uk.
Disclaimer
The information given above is accurate at the time of publication. However, the Slade School of Fine Art reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require it.
