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Sketching and Watercolour – an Introduction (Stage 1)

  • Ages: 18+
  • Term: Autumn
  • Length: 10 weeks

Overview

This highly creative 10-week course offers you a hands-on approach to the world of sketching and watercolour.

To book your place today, simply click the 'Book Now' button to be taken to AUB's secure online store, where you can complete your booking. You can also sign up to our newsletter for short course updates.

What you need to know

Autumn term 2024

Tuesday 8 October – 10 December 2024 (10 Tuesdays, 18.00-21.00)

Age

Suitable for adults aged 18+.

Level

Beginners or anyone with some experience who want to refresh or develop their skills further.

Experience or qualifications required

None – this is an introductory course. We have no formal academic entry requirements for our short courses.

If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for you, get in touch with us: shortcourses@aub.ac.uk or 01202 363222.

£339

Any additional costs

You'll need to provide some art materials and equipment to use on the course. This'll incur an additional cost if you need to purchase it for the course. See the 'What to bring to class' section below for full details.

Additional materials and resources will be provided by AUB and is included in your course fee.

  • Notebook and pens/pencils to make notes
  • Hardback A4 sketchbook (160gsm or heavier)
  • Drawing pencils; 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B
  • Putty rubber
  • Rubber
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Charcoal
  • Set of fine line drawing pens (waterproof ink)
  • A roll of cheap lining paper of A3 sugar paper
  • Watercolour paper pad
  • Watercolour paints
  • Set of watercolour brushes
  • More guidance will be given during your first class about the watercolour supplies you’ll need, so you may wish to wait until after your first class to purchase some.

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Suggested Suppliers

Information about resourcing specialist materials/consumables that you may need to bring these with you

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Short Courses FAQs – Evening and Weekend and Saturday Art School

If you have any questions about our Evening and Saturday Short Courses, you may find the answers in here.

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Short Courses booking T&Cs

Please read our Terms and Conditions carefully before booking onto our Evening and Weekend courses.

About this course

This course offers a hands-on approach to the world of sketching and watercolour. It’s ideal for all levels and abilities and provides a relaxed way to build upon your drawing skills whilst enjoying the surrounding environment.

Drawing and sketching is fundamental to everything we do. Throughout history, every great artist and designer has kept a sketchbook; it’s a must-have for any creative. It acts as a ‘visual journey’ and offers a place to experiment, record special moments or work through your ideas for a more advanced project.

During the course, you'll explore the fundamentals of drawing and observation, including how to gain confidence in recording those elements that you find inspirational with your own unique style.

You'll use a variety of materials and techniques including pencils, pens, charcoal and watercolour, whilst looking at genres such as landscape, botany and the human form. As you progress through the sessions you’ll develop your drawing and sketching skills through experimentation, drawing from life, and expressive design.

  • Learn to see and paint the world around you
  • Skills with charcoal, pencil, pen, and watercolour to create lively images through expressive use of line and mark making
  • Tone, contrast, textures, colour, and form
  • Capturing movement and basic perspective
  • Basic techniques to approach landscape, botanical subjects, objects, and people

At the end of the course you'll:

  • Possess improved artistic skills and confidence to approach observational drawing in a range of media and techniques
  • Possess basic watercolour techniques and apply them to sketching
  • Be able to use a sketchbook as a visual journey or to hold research for a project
  • Be able to relax through art
  • Have increased confidence in your own skills and feel inspired
  • Have boosted creativity and imagination
  • Possess the foundations to continue creating beyond this course
  • You can request a certificate to confirm your achievements, providing you've a 100% attendance record. To request a certificate please get in touch with us at shortcourses@aub.ac.uk and confirm your name and the title of course you've completed

Will I be assessed?

No, there is no formal assessment. You’ll group share your work at the end of each session with the intention to support, inspire and encourage each other’s learning. 

As the course progresses your tutor will measure your overall performance and offer essential guidance and feedback, so you know how you're getting on.

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Meet your tutor

Alison Board

Alison Board

Alison is a highly talented, creative artist and dedicated educator, whose many diverse talents include dance, performance, and fine art.

Beyond the course

This could just be the start of your creative journey! After this course, you could further your watercolour skills with our stage 2 intermediate course or look to the future and explore our creative qualifications that can prepare you to further your current career, enable you to retrain to an alternative career path or prepare you for future creative arts studies.

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Why choose AUB for your short course?

We're a first-choice provider of art and design short courses for anyone wishing to engage in art and design subjects in their spare time.

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Reasons to study a short course

There are plenty of reasons to consider studying a creative short course. Perhaps you want to retrain, learn new skills, or just have fun...

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How to book

Looking to book onto one of our Evening and Saturday courses? You’ll find everything you need to book your place here.

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