COURSE CODE: EC2501DR1
COURSE DATES: Thursdays, 16th October – 13th November 2025
TUTOR: David Gardner
DAYS: 5
TIMES: 6:30pm – 9:00pm
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels
FEE: £170
LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL
Investigating the human body as a dynamic interplay of line, shape, light, and space, this exploratory drawing course offers a new lens through which to see and interpret the figure, developing both technical and artistic fluency. You’ll experiment with inventive mark-making, tonal contrasts, colour, and motion, working directly from a life model.
Throughout the course, you will learn:
Direction, weight, and rhythm in drawing
Layered marks and erasure, concealing and revealing the figure to redefine volume and presence
Reducing your palette to capture shadow and contrast
Expressive colour to build mood, identity, and atmosphere in your drawings
Experimenting with gesture, speed, and time to create fluid mark-making
This course is ideal for beginners and those with some previous drawing experience. Sessions will take place in a supportive studio environment and you will be guided by our experienced tutor.
After completing this course, you may be interested in joining Life Drawing and Painting, available to book on our website or as single sessions via our Eventbrite page.
Recommend booking by: October 2, 2025
All attendees must be aged 18 and over.
This course is suitable for all levels. Students can move at their own pace depending on their experience, with as much support from the Tutor as they wish. This means an student from the following experience levels can join this course:
Choose a Beginners course if you are looking for a broad introduction to the medium you are studying. Our Beginner courses are suitable for students with no prior experience.
Choose a Beginner + course if you are looking to hone your skills, focus on a specific subject area and build your confidence. These courses are suitable for those with some basic skills in and knowledge of the taught medium.
Our Intermediate courses are suitable for students who have considerable prior knowledge of the taught medium or have completed a Beginners/Beginners + course with the Art Academy.
Choose our Advanced courses if you have considerable knowledge in the taught medium. You are expected to be able to work independently and have critical discussions around your work.All Levels
Beginner
Beginner +
Intermediate
Advanced
You will need to bring your own drawing materials to the class and these materials must be taken with you at the end of each session. If you do not have your own materials, we recommend you order the Pack, below, at the time of booking, which will be available when you arrive for your first class. There is also a mini shop in the Academy that supplies the basics such as pencils, sketchbooks, putty rubbers etc. (card purchases only).
Please also bring an apron or old clothing to wear.
Please note that pack contents are subject to change at the discretion of the Academy at any time.
185 Park Street,London SE1 9BL tel: +44 (0) 207407 6969
This is our new purpose built accessible campus. Find more information here
Nearest Tube/ Rail: London Bridge or Southwark (both a 10-15 minute walk). Please note that London Bridge has two exits, the most direct route is to follow signs to “Borough Market”.
Bankside Campus
Students are welcome to use The Hub during break times, where you can prepare hot drinks and/or food. You must bring your own keep-cup, water bottle or food container to the Academy as mugs, glasses, and containers will not be available in our Bankside campus.
Tea and coffee will be provided by the Academy and is available from the island unit at the end of The Hub.
We offer a number of concessions and discounts, please find more information on what we offer here.
If you would like to purchase a gift voucher to be used on our courses then you can purchase these here. Terms and Conditions
Materials & Equipment
Concessions and Discounts
Gift Vouchers
£170.00
Please apply coupon code aa-earlybird-10% at checkout.