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Drawing Courses

Everything there is to know about our drawing courses in Bristol.
Take a look at our work and frequently asked questions.

About Our Drawing Courses

We offer drawing and charcoal courses for all creative abilities. Most of our courses are mixed ability and suitable for all, but we also have some specific beginners classes to support people who are just starting to explore their drawing skills.

Our classes and workshops teach drawing techniques on various subjects ranging from figures, faces to portraiture, landscapes and outdoors.

Explore our wide range of exciting courses and sign-up now.

Sketch and art books

Beginners Drawing Classes

Friendly, supportive and structured courses for beginners developing their drawing skills.

Drawing

Mixed-ability Drawing Classes

Friendly, supportive and structured courses for all drawing abilities and skills.

2024

Description: Learn how to draw people or improve your skills. A short course for people who want to learn to draw figures and faces, and those who would like to get better at it! Using pencil or/and charcoal, you will learn to draw figures and faces from photographs week 1&2 and from a clothed model in the 3rd

Tutor: Bill Guilding   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 27 Aug 2024 (Autumn)   Times: Tue Wed Thu 10:00-13:00   Duration: 1 week(s)

Availability: Last few   Fee: £70 (Concession: £45)

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Description: Practise drawing or painting a figure or portrait from a clothed female model in one continuous pose. All painting and drawing media welcome, but best to use a medium you are familiar with. Some experience of drawing figures/ faces is recommended.

Tutor: Bill Guilding   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 30 Aug 2024 (Autumn)   Times: Fri 10:00-16:00   Duration: 1 week(s)

Availability: Fully booked   Fee: £50 (Concession: £35)

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Description: A friendly, supportive and structured course which will help beginners develop their drawing skills. You will learn to draw using pencil, charcoal, rubbers and more. You will explore line, tone and perspective through a series of exercises, designed to improve your confidence and ability.

Tutor: Mary Kelly   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 10 Sep 2024 (Autumn)   Times: Tue 09:30-12:00   Duration: 7 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £141 (Concession: £85)

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Description: Charcoal drawing is a medium medium known for its ability to produce amazing results. Charcoal comes in several forms and this course will allow you to explore the possibilities of willow, compressed, pencil, powdered and liquid charcoal, using brushes, smudgers, rubbers, and fingers.

Tutor: Jenny Ibrahim   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 12 Sep 2024 (Autumn)   Times: Thu 10:00-12:30   Duration: 7 week(s)

Availability: Fully booked   Fee: £141 (Concession: £85)

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Description: Led by an experienced tutor, learners will make rapid progress and explore line, tone, measurement, texture, shading and composition. They will be taught how to ‘look’ and how to interpret what they see.

Tutor: Roma Widger   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 18 Sep 2024 (Autumn)   Times: Wed 13:00-15:00   Duration: 6 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £97 (Concession: £59)

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Description: This course is designed as an introduction to pastel art techniques. Perfect for beginners and those seeking to increase their knowledge of the medium. You will learn or revise basic techniques and develop your personal style.

Tutor: Roma Widger   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 18 Sep 2024 (Autumn)   Times: Wed 15:15-17:15   Duration: 6 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £97 (Concession: £59)

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Description: Develop skill at drawing the human figure. Drawing from a nude model (female and male), you will learn to see shape, proportion, light and shade more objectively. You will use a range of traditional drawing media and explore various approaches and techniques.

Tutor: Bill Guilding   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 20 Sep 2024 (Autumn)   Times: Fri 09:45-12:15   Duration: 6 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £121 (Concession: £73)

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Description: A friendly, supportive and structured course which will help beginners develop their drawing skills. You will learn to draw using pencil, charcoal, rubbers and more. You will explore line, tone and perspective through a series of exercises, designed to improve your confidence and ability.

Tutor: Mary Kelly   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 05 Nov 2024 (Autumn)   Times: Tue 09:30-12:00   Duration: 5 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £101 (Concession: £61)

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Description: Led by an experienced tutor, learners will make rapid progress and explore line, tone, measurement, texture, shading and composition. They will be taught how to ‘look’ and how to interpret what they see.

Tutor: Roma Widger   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 06 Nov 2024 (Autumn)   Times: Wed 13:00-15:00   Duration: 5 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £81 (Concession: £49)

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Description: Ever wanted to learn calligraphy to embellish your own cards and gifts? This course offers an excellent introduction to the art of calligraphy. Discover how to produce stunning lettering in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Tutor: Roma Widger   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 06 Nov 2024 (Autumn)   Times: Wed 15:15-17:15   Duration: 5 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £81 (Concession: £49)

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Description: Charcoal drawing is a medium medium known for its ability to produce amazing results. Charcoal comes in several forms and this course will allow you to explore the possibilities of willow, compressed, pencil, powdered and liquid charcoal, using brushes, smudgers, rubbers, and fingers.

Tutor: Jenny Ibrahim   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 07 Nov 2024 (Autumn)   Times: Thu 10:00-12:30   Duration: 6 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £121 (Concession: £73)

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Description: Working from a different model each week (clothed, nude and portrait), you will develop skills in drawing figures and faces, their shape and proportions, light and shade. You will use a range of traditional drawing media and explore various approaches and techniques.

Tutor: Bill Guilding   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 08 Nov 2024 (Autumn)   Times: Fri 09:45-12:15   Duration: 6 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £121 (Concession: £73)

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Description: A friendly, supportive and structured course which will help beginners develop their drawing skills. You will learn to draw using pencil, charcoal, rubbers and more. You will explore line, tone and perspective through a series of exercises, designed to improve your confidence and ability.

Tutor: Mary Kelly   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 14 Jan 2025 (Spring)   Times: Tue 09:30-12:00   Duration: 5 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £101 (Concession: £61)

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Description: Led by an experienced tutor, learners will make rapid progress and explore line, tone, measurement, texture, shading and composition. They will be taught how to ‘look’ and how to interpret what they see.

Tutor: Roma Widger   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 15 Jan 2025 (Spring)   Times: Wed 13:00-15:00   Duration: 5 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £81 (Concession: £49)

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Description: Discover the vibrant and beautiful world of oil pastel painting. This short course will cover the fundamental principles and hands-on techniques of working with oil pastels. Guided by a skilled tutor, you will discover the versatility of oil pastels.

Tutor: Roma Widger   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 15 Jan 2025 (Spring)   Times: Wed 15:15-17:15   Duration: 5 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £81 (Concession: £49)

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Description: Charcoal drawing is a medium medium known for its ability to produce amazing results. Charcoal comes in several forms and this course will allow you to explore the possibilities of willow, compressed, pencil, powdered and liquid charcoal, using brushes, smudgers, rubbers, and fingers.

Tutor: Jenny Ibrahim   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 16 Jan 2025 (Spring)   Times: Thu 10:00-12:30   Duration: 5 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £101 (Concession: £61)

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Description: We will start with basic principles, learning about shapes and proportions of the human body, and the tutor will demonstrate the principles of drawing from observation. Then you will draw some figures, first using photographs: e.g. of dancers, acrobats and athletes.

Tutor: Bill Guilding   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 17 Jan 2025 (Spring)   Times: Fri 09:45-12:15   Duration: 5 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £101 (Concession: £61)

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Description: A friendly, supportive and structured course which will help beginners develop their drawing skills. You will learn to draw using pencil, charcoal, rubbers and more. You will explore line, tone and perspective through a series of exercises, designed to improve your confidence and ability.

Tutor: Mary Kelly   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 25 Feb 2025 (Spring)   Times: Tue 09:30-12:00   Duration: 6 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £121 (Concession: £73)

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Description: Led by an experienced tutor, learners will make rapid progress and explore line, tone, measurement, texture, shading and composition. They will be taught how to ‘look’ and how to interpret what they see.

Tutor: Roma Widger   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 26 Feb 2025 (Spring)   Times: Wed 13:00-15:00   Duration: 6 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £97 (Concession: £59)

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Description: Charcoal drawing is a medium medium known for its ability to produce amazing results. Charcoal comes in several forms and this course will allow you to explore the possibilities of willow, compressed, pencil, powdered and liquid charcoal, using brushes, smudgers, rubbers, and fingers.

Tutor: Jenny Ibrahim   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 27 Feb 2025 (Spring)   Times: Thu 10:00-12:30   Duration: 6 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £121 (Concession: £73)

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Description: Develop your skill at drawing or painting faces with an experienced portraiture tutor and artist. You will be drawing or painting from a different, clothed sitter each week. You may use any drawing medium you prefer including charcoal, pastels, or crayons.

Tutor: Bill Guilding   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 28 Feb 2025 (Spring)   Times: Fri 09:45-12:15   Duration: 6 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £121 (Concession: £73)

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Description: Led by an experienced tutor, learners will make rapid progress and explore line, tone, measurement, texture, shading and composition. They will be taught how to ‘look’ and how to interpret what they see.

Tutor: Roma Widger   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 23 Apr 2025 (Summer)   Times: Wed 13:00-15:00   Duration: 5 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £81 (Concession: £49)

Find Out More

Description: Charcoal drawing is a medium medium known for its ability to produce amazing results. Charcoal comes in several forms and this course will allow you to explore the possibilities of willow, compressed, pencil, powdered and liquid charcoal, using brushes, smudgers, rubbers, and fingers.

Tutor: Jenny Ibrahim   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 24 Apr 2025 (Summer)   Times: Thu 10:00-12:30   Duration: 5 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £101 (Concession: £61)

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Description: Develop skill at drawing the human figure. Drawing from a nude model (female and male), you will learn to see shape, proportion, light and shade more objectively. You will use a range of traditional drawing media and explore various approaches and techniques.

Tutor: Bill Guilding   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 25 Apr 2025 (Summer)   Times: Fri 09:45-12:15   Duration: 5 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £101 (Concession: £61)

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Description: This is a friendly, supportive and structured course for beginners to develop into improvers. The course will introduce new drawing skills and techniques and how to use different materials to make marks.

Tutor: Mary Kelly   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 29 Apr 2025 (Summer)   Times: Tue 09:30-12:00   Duration: 10 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £201 (Concession: £121)

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Description: Led by an experienced tutor, learners will make rapid progress and explore line, tone, measurement, texture, shading and composition. They will be taught how to ‘look’ and how to interpret what they see.

Tutor: Roma Widger   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 04 Jun 2025 (Summer)   Times: Wed 13:00-15:00   Duration: 6 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £97 (Concession: £59)

Find Out More

Description: Charcoal drawing is a medium medium known for its ability to produce amazing results. Charcoal comes in several forms and this course will allow you to explore the possibilities of willow, compressed, pencil, powdered and liquid charcoal, using brushes, smudgers, rubbers, and fingers.

Tutor: Jenny Ibrahim   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 05 Jun 2025 (Summer)   Times: Thu 10:00-12:30   Duration: 7 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £141 (Concession: £85)

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Description: Working from a different model each week (clothed, nude and portrait), you will develop skills in drawing figures and faces, their shape and proportions, light and shade. You will use a range of traditional drawing media and explore various approaches and techniques.

Tutor: Bill Guilding   Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)

Start Date: 06 Jun 2025 (Summer)   Times: Fri 09:45-12:15   Duration: 6 week(s)

Availability: Places available   Fee: £121 (Concession: £73)

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Testimonials

Clear Instruction

Bill gives excellent feedback and advice. He’s very clear about when and how you’ve gone wrong. The encouragement as well as the criticism. I enjoy drawing people and Bill always gently challenges me to improve.

Drawing Outdoor

Very free-range, not prescriptive. The Tutor came round regularly with input, suggestions, comments. We had the opportunity to draw outdoors, variety of good views using a range of materials/techniques.

Enjoyable

I improved my drawing skills and met some lovely people – very enjoyable

Pleasant Environment

Great tutor, very experienced, helpful to allow us to make mistakes and to learn from them. Really like the venue. Pleasant environment, encouraged to try new approaches.

Inspired

Was good for making friends, learning new skills; inspired me to do more art, improved self-confidence.

Analytical

The Tutor is great at analysing a piece, working out specific issues and giving feedback to improve.

Friendly Class

Lovely relaxed, friendly class. Improved my life drawing skills. More confidence in drawing.

Explore unfamiliar materials

Friendly atmosphere, practiced with unfamiliar materials, increased my ambition to draw more nature.

Our Tutors

Frequently Asked Questions

  • This depends a bit on the course, but all our courses are led by friendly, supportive and experienced tutors. Ours tutors will help you develop your skills and use techniques and exercises to allow you to explore your drawing, whether it is focused on landscapes, still life or portraiture.

Your question is not here? Contact Us

Contact Us

Need more information regarding our drawing courses? You can call us on 0117 903 8844, email or visit us in person at Stoke Lodge. Office hours applies.

Address

Stoke Lodge Adult Learning Centre
Shirehampton Road, Bristol, BS9 1BN

Info

0117 903 8844
stokelodge@bristol.gov.uk