Sketching Fundamentals class is out now!

I’m happy to announce that my new class Sketching Fundamentals is out now, available on my website and on Skillshare.

This class is a foundational drawing class that will teach you basic sketching techniques. In this in-depth introduction, you will learn how to see like an artist, explore different drawing techniques, create quick sketches from observation, and learn how to become confident with your line work.

I will show you how you can master basic drawing skills step by step. We will take a look at materials, mark-making and textures, understanding shadow and perspective, practice a lot so that you get visible results, and most importantly, you will learn how you can draw anything.

The whole class has 8 hours of video and over 50 demonstrations.

Week 1 – Mark-making + basic techniques

Introduction
Tools you need
More drawing materials to explore
Talent vs practice
Sketching vs drawing
How this class works
The drawing process
Making marks
Gesture drawing
Contour drawing
Blind contour drawing
Modified contour drawing

Week 2 – Proportions, measurements, volumes

Visual measuring
Memory drawing
Negative space
Envelope technique
Construction with 3d forms
Inner contour lines
Constructional drawing demo

Week 3 – Perspective

Basic perspective
Aerial perspective
Foreshortening

Week 4 – Shadows, textures, detail

Value
Light and Shadow
Textures
Focal Point

Week 5 – Putting it all together

Putting it all together
Study sheet – Kingfisher

Mini lessons – plants & trees

Drawing plants introduction
Drawing leaves
Drawing flowers
Drawing tree silhouettes
Drawing trees (closeup)
Drawing trees in landscapes
Drawing trees in winter

Mini lessons – Insects, sea creatures, amphibians + reptiles

Drawing animals intro
Drawing insects intro
Drawing insects – butterfly
Drawing insects – dragonfly
Drawing sea creatures + fish intro
Drawing sea creatures – fish
Drawing sea creatures – seahorse
Drawing amphibians + reptiles intro
Drawing amphibians – frog
Drawing reptilians – lizard

Mini lessons – birds

Drawing birds intro
Drawing birds – sparrow
Drawing birds – woodpecker

Mini lessons – mammals

Drawing mammals intro
Drawing mammals – fox
Drawing mammals – weasel

Mini lessons – landscapes

Sketching landscapes – intro
Landscape elements – grass and rocks
Landscape elements – water + snow
Landscape elements – sky + clouds + buildings
Small landscape demo

Week 6 – Recap and refine

Recap and refine
How to sketch moving subjects
How to draw when you’re with others
Tips for drawing from photos
Sketching as a base for paintings
Where to go from here

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Here’s an outtake showing you an approach to two different drawing techniques – gestural drawing and contour drawing. These are only two of the drawing techniques we will take a look at in a structured way.

How to start a sketch with different drawing methods – Sketching Fundamentals lesson (video)

I often use these two methods together in my drawing process. Gestural drawing is great for starting a sketch, and its quick and loose approach is wonderful to give your drawings a certain energy and life. Contour drawing is a good method to refine the rough statement done with the gestural sketch.

The class comes in two different variants: You can either take it as a self-directed class in your own pace, or you can sign up for an intensive 8-week run-through with structured assignments and individual feedback from me for everything you send in. You won’t get this kind of in-depth guidance anywhere else. This version is great if you want more commitment and a concentrated approach on getting better at sketching.

The current run-through for the 8-week class will start on September 26 (and ends on November 20 2022). You will keep access to all class materials afterwards.

Sign up here:
Self-directed class
8-week class with individual feedback

or Take the course on Skillshare.

I hope you will join me for this class to explore sketching fundamentals and learn how to draw everything in nature with more confidence.