Drawing Courses Everything there is to know about our drawing courses in Bristol

Other Resources: Video | Gallery | FAQs

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.

Beginners Drawing Classes

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

Mixed-ability Drawing Classes

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

2023/24

Drawing Classes - BEGINNERS

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.

Fee includes materials for the 1st session.

Tuesdays 9.30am to 12noon Mary Kelly
6 sessions from 12 September £118/£72 D94A   Stoke Lodge

And

Tuesdays 9.30am to 12noon Mary Kelly
6 sessions from 31 October £118/£72 D94B   Stoke Lodge

And

Tuesdays 9.30am to 12noon Mary Kelly
5 sessions from 9 January £99/£60 D94C   Stoke Lodge

And

Tuesdays 9.30am to 12noon Mary Kelly
5 sessions from 20 February £118/£72 D94D   Stoke Lodge

And

Tuesdays 9.30am to 12noon Mary Kelly
6 sessions from 16 April £118/£72 D94E   Stoke Lodge

And

Tuesdays 9.30am to 12noon Mary Kelly
6 sessions from 4 June £114/£72 D94F   Stoke Lodge

Book Now
Life Drawing - MIXED ABILITY

Learn to draw the human figure from observation. Drawing from a nude model, you will learn to see shape, proportion, light and shade more objectively. Later we will vary the pace, and you’ll be encouraged to vary your ways of drawing. Model fee of £35 for the course to be paid in cash to the tutor during first session.

Fridays 9.45am to 12.15pm Bill Guilding
6 sessions from 15 September £113/£68 D64A Stoke Lodge

And

Fridays 9.45am to 12.15pm Bill Guilding
6 sessions from 19 April £113/£68 D64E Stoke Lodge

Book Now
Drawing Figures And Faces From Life - MIXED ABILITY

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. Model fee of £35 for the course to be paid in cash to the tutor during first session.

Fridays 9.45am to 12.15pm Bill Guilding
6 sessions from 3 November £113/£68 D64B Stoke Lodge

And

Fridays 9.45am to 12.15pm Bill Guilding
6 sessions from 7 June £113/£68 D64F Stoke Lodge

Book Now
I Wish I Could Draw People! Drawing Figures And Faces - BEGINNERS & INTERMEDIATES
Portraiture From Life

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. If you are a confident, fast painter, you may use paint (watercolour or acrylics can be used in the spirit of drawing). Model fee of £30 for the course to be paid in cash to the tutor during first session.

Fridays 9.45am to 12.15pm Bill Guilding
5 sessions from 23 February £95/£58 D64D Stoke Lodge

Book Now
Drawing Skills - MIXED ABILITY

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. Suitable for beginners and those wishing to improve.

Wednesdays 1pm to 3pm Roma Widger
6 sessions from 13 September £91/£55 D91A   Stoke Lodge

And

Wednesdays 1pm to 3pm Roma Widger
6 sessions from 1 November £91/£55 D91B   Stoke Lodge

And

Wednesdays 1pm to 3pm Roma Widger
5 sessions from 10 January £76/£46 D91C   Stoke Lodge

And

Wednesdays 1pm to 3pm Roma Widger
6 sessions from 21 February £91/£55 D91D   Stoke Lodge

And

Wednesdays 1pm to 3pm Roma Widger
6 sessions from 17 April £91/£55 D91E   Stoke Lodge

And

Wednesdays 1pm to 3pm Roma Widger
6 sessions from 5 June £91/£55 D91F   Stoke Lodge

Book Now
Just Charcoal - BEGINNERS & INTERMEDIATES

Drawing with charcoal is a popular medium that can create amazing results. This introduction to drawing with charcoal is suitable for the complete beginner or the more experienced artist. You will experiment with mark making and develop confidence, learning how the materials can be combined then proceed to finished pieces.

Thursdays 10am to 12.30pm Jenny Ibrahim
6 sessions from 14 September £116/£71 D60D   Stoke Lodge

And

Thursdays 10am to 12.30pm Jenny Ibrahim
6 sessions from 2 November £116/£71 D60E    Stoke Lodge

And

Thursdays 10am to 12.30pm Jenny Ibrahim
5 sessions from 11 January £97/£60 D60F   Stoke Lodge

And

Thursdays 10am to 12.30pm Jenny Ibrahim
6 sessions from 22 February £116/£71 D60G    Stoke Lodge

And

Thursdays 10am to 12.30pm Jenny Ibrahim
6 sessions from 18 April £116/£71 D60H    Stoke Lodge

And

Thursdays 10am to 12.30pm Jenny Ibrahim
6 sessions from 6 June £116/£71 D60J    Stoke Lodge

Book Now

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

Bill Building

Jenny Ibrahim

Mary Kelly

Roma Widger

Gallery

A showcase of our learners’ work

1 2

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the courses like?

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.
Where do the courses take place?

Courses take place at Stoke Lodge. Stoke Lodge is our adult learning centre off Shirehampton Road in Stoke Bishop. The building has been hosting adult learning classes for over 50 years and is a beautiful old house set in fantastic grounds. We have plenty of free car parking and our back car park is closest to the annexe building and the upholstery classroom.

Drawing courses mostly take place in our annexe building. Either upstairs in our Art studio or in one of our ground floor art and craft rooms.
Are refreshments available

Yes, we have a morning and an afternoon tea/coffee break at Stoke Lodge.

Drinks are served in the main building (just next to the annexe) and we charge £1 for a cup of tea, coffee or herbal tea with biscuits.

Tea breaks are a great way to step away from your project, grab a drink and catch up with learners on your course or those on other courses in the building. Its always a nice social part of the day where everyone gets the chance to stretch their legs and refresh.
Do I need previous experience?
Do I need to bring anything?
Anything else I need to know?

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.

Info

0117 903 8844

stokelodge@bristol.gov.uk

Address

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