Drawing Fundamentals and Beyond | Annette Raff

About this class

Annette will customise the workshop to the needs of each student. You will be supported with ongoing demonstrations, guided practice, handouts, diagrams, and supporting references to supplement your learning.
Over four consecutive Monday mornings, we will draw simple subjects from supplied photographs and still (inanimate) objects.  Over the four weeks you will learn, or re-learn, the fundamentals of drawing.

Beginners will learn effective mark-making, construction and proportion methods, as well as shading techniques to establish form.

For more advanced students, Annette offers more complex techniques including figurative portraiture (human and animal).  Students are also invited to choose their own subjects and will be encouraged to develop their own personal style and artistic expression.

Did you know that drawing practice leads to noticeable improvements in your paintings?

Techniques and skills learned through drawing can be transferred to painting. Brushwork, layering, blending and shading can be approached with the same understanding of form and structure that drawing provides.

Skilled hand-eye coordination practiced in drawing lessons is a skill that is directly transferrable into painting and brush control.

Observation and planning skills improve your composition skills when painting.

What will I learn?

• Practice effective mark-making using graphite pencils and erasers in building confidence
• Discover the benefits of contour drawing (drawing what you see; not what you think you see)
• Using ‘Block-in’ method (applying simple construction lines) to begin your drawing
• Using angles, sight comparison, thumb, grid methods to check accuracy and amend your drawing
• Identifying shapes and the importance of negative shapes
• Work with light, shadow and value (shade) to describe form (3 dimensionality)

Who is this course suitable for?

Annette's drawing courses cater to individual requirements whether you be a continuing student or a newcomer.  

With past participants agreeing Annette’s drawing workshops offer an unbelievable, personal and ‘light bulb’ experience, you will learn how to increase your awareness and visual interpretation skills, no matter what level of learning you are at.

What do I need to bring?

Absolutely nothing!  All materials will be available for use, including:

• Pencils: HB, 2B, 4B, Mars Lumograph 7B
• Paper stump
• Pencil Sharpener
• Kneadable Eraser
• Battery Eraser
• Timber skewer
• Willow charcoal

What else is provided?

• Paper for the course will be included in Studio
• 45cm ruler
• Easels, Tables, Chairs
• Tea and coffee (please bring your own cup)
• A friendly, supportive and encouraging learning environment
• Connection to the Bienarté art community

Meet the Artist

Annette is a professional artist with a Bachelor of Fine Art and Advanced Certificate in Art and Design, teaching a variety of mediums for over 25 years.

She is particularly interested in drawing and has developed a unique approach with emphasis on teaching observation skills, ensuring students’ ability to see and interpret what they see using graphite pencil onto a two dimensional surface. Her workshops address different learning styles and include practical demonstrations and media application.

Annette encourages her students to explore possibilities, make mistakes and extend their learning while in a relaxed, friendly environment.