Essential Forms: Drawing from Nature
Use drawing to see and understand more about nature’s forms and patterns.
Upcoming Course Dates
There are currently no upcoming sessions, but watch this space for upcoming dates in 2026!
For private workshops, please contact me.
Course Description
We find resonance with nature for a reason - the patterns and structures are evidence of a unity that underlies the natural world. In this immersive workshop, take a closer look at nature through drawing, whilst considering the hidden processes and forces that shape natural forms.
We will make observational sketches, studying lines, shapes and structures in natural forms outside, and try approaches to more fully express what we see. We’ll then be working further with our sketches, experimenting with for example cropping, composition, gesture and collage to expand our ideas. Thinking about the ‘essence’ of forms as well as what makes them unique will help develop our looking and drawing skills, as well as reveal more about nature’s internal logic. Experimentation with different media will allow you to explore a wider vocabulary of mark-making to enrich your sketching practise. The session will include examples from artist through the ages who have used drawing to connect with nature in interesting ways, and reveal extraordinary things about nature that are all around us - if we give time to look closer.
Overview
2 weeks of 2.5 - 3 hour sessions. 10 spaces available.
Each session will start with a brief introduction, followed by a mix of led and self-directed exercises, of both short duration and more sustained studies. There will be time for group discussion and reflection, as well as one-to-one guidance and conversation. Breaks included.
Is this class for me?
This course is for all! Whether you haven’t drawn for a long time and wish to get back into it, or you regularly draw but wish to refresh your looking - all levels of drawing experience are welcome.
Course open to anyone aged 18 or over.
Materials
A selction of drawing paper and basic materials are included.
If you have drawing media you already like to use, you’re welcome to bring these.
Please bring
There will be facilities for making basic hot drinks, but please bring your own refreshments for the break if you prefer. Please also bring extra layers for if the weather turns cold, sunglasses, and something to sit on whilst drawing outside.
Additional information
Please note, this class is weather dependant, and may be adapted or be postposed if necessary.
