Skip to main content Go to Site Map
Watercolour of woman in dress

Sketching and Watercolour (Stage 1)

In this highly creative 10-week course you’ll release your personal style through using different mediums and methods of creating traditional art.

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

When does it run?

Monday 2 October – 4 December 2023

How long is the course?

10 Monday evenings

What time will your classes be?

18.00-21.00

Where does it take place?

Classes will take place on AUB's campus.

You'll be taught in AUB's industry-standard studios with access to professional resources.

Who's this course suitable for?

This course has been developed for creatives and aspiring artists aged 18+.

Perfect for anyone who has a passion to learn and develop their skills.

It's suitable if you're a beginner or if you've some previous experience and wish to develop your skills further.

Do you need previous experience or qualifications?

This is an introductory course, so no previous knowledge or experience is required.

If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for you, get in touch with us: shortcourses@aub.ac.uk or +44 (0) 1202 363222.

How much does this course cost?

£339

What's included in this price?

Any additional materials and resources not listed in the 'what to bring' or 'additional costs' section below.

Are there additional costs?

Please be aware you'll need to bring some art equipment with you. This may incur an additional cost on top of your course fee if you need to purchase any equipment. Refer to the 'what to bring' section below for full details.

What should you bring to class?

  • Good quality hard back A4 sketchbook (Pink Pig, Sea Whites or similar)
  • Pencils 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B
  • Charcoal
  • Set of black fine line drawing pens (permanent ink)
  • Putty, plastic eraser, pencil sharpener
  • Watercolour pan set (e.g., Winsor and Newton Cotman sketching range set of 12)
  • Pro-arte Watercolour paintbrushes, set of 5
  • A roll of cheap lining paper

Why should you choose this course?

  • Come away with enhanced knowledge, skills, and confidence to draw and paint in your own time
  • Improve your artistic abilities, especially your drawing and observational skills
  • Explore and experiment with different mediums and methods
  • Experiment and develop your ideas and discover new approaches to creating
  • Develop basic watercolour techniques and apply these skills to your sketching
  • Learn how to use your sketchbook as a visual journal or as research for an art project
  • Discover a means to relax through art in any location
  • Develop your technical skills and unique creative voice
  • Receive expert support and guidance from your industry professional tutor at every turn
  • Leave with increased confidence and the skills to continue creating beyond the course
  • Study in an encouraging and friendly setting alongside 14 like-minded creatives

About this course

This 10-week course offers a hands-on approach to the world of sketching or ‘art on the go’. Ideal for all levels and abilities, it provides a relaxed way to build upon your drawing skills whilst enjoying the surrounding environment.

Sketching and drawing is fundamental to everything we do and throughout history every great artist and designer has kept a sketch book. A personal visual ‘journal’ offers a place to experiment, record special moments or work through your ideas for a more advanced project.

During this course you'll explore the fundamentals of drawing and observation including how to capture spontaneous and honest moments. You'll use a variety of materials and techniques including pencils, pens, charcoal watercolour, looking at genres such as landscape, botanical and the human form.

The course includes two evenings where you’ll have the opportunity to develop your drawing and sketching skills of the human form, including a portrait focused class. These human form classes will use a dressed model.

You’ll further your knowledge and explore colour and design through our on-campus resources. This includes our nationally recognised museum, Museum of Design in Plastics, TheGallery, and Library that houses an excellent range of print and online collections.

  • Observational drawing, including how to ‘see’ and sketch the world around you
  • Capturing the human form
  • Skills with pencil, pens, watercolour, and charcoal
  • Expressive use of line and mark-making
  • Tone, contrast, textures, colour, and form
  • Capturing movement and basic perspective
  • Basic techniques to approach landscape, botanical, objects, and people
  • Explore renowned artists and their work

  • Possess improved artistic and observational skills
  • Be able to demonstrate a wide range of techniques using a variety of mediums and be able to choose materials appropriate for your intentions
  • Be inspired by different art movements and renowned artists
  • Have the skills required to ‘see’ and sketch the world around you
  • Not be afraid to experiment and adapt your ideas as you go
  • Have increased confidence in your own skills and feel inspired
  • Have boosted creativity and imagination
  • Be encouraged to experiment and explore your ideas, remembering that there's no right or wrong way to be creative
  • Possess the foundations to continue creating beyond this course

All students with 100% course attendance will be issued with an official AUB Short Course certificate of attendance. To request your certificate contact the short courses team: shortcourses@aub.ac.uk or call 01202 363222.

After this course, you could:

  • Elevate your observational and watercolour skills by taking our intermediate Pure Watercolour (stage 2) short course
  • Continue to harness your creativity and develop your skills further; explore our full range of Art, Design, Drawing and Painting short courses
  • Broaden your creative horizons and try your hand at a range of disciplines; explore our full range of evening and weekend courses
  • Continue to develop your skills at home as a hobby

  • You'll study at a leading specialist university – we know what we're doing when it comes to providing unparalleled courses
  • Our tutors are industry professionals, so you'll learn from the best
  • We cater for all abilities and have no formal entry requirements for this course, so there's nothing holding you back
  • You'll learn in a safe and encouraging environment where there's no right or wrong way to be creative
  • You'll learn 'by doing' and always feel fully included and supported
  • Benefit from our incredible campus and its industry-standard studios, and use state-of-the-art equipment and software to unleash your creativity
Website banner. Black text reads "unleash your creativity". Yellow background with white target.

Book your place today

Book now

Meet your tutor

Photograph of Sarah L Goy

Sarah L Goy

Having graduated from Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design Sarah is a qualified illustrator and a contemporary artist.

Important information about evening and weekend courses

A student stands painting two cherries in a sketch book.

Suggested Suppliers

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

Paint roller on a table, next to an open sketchbook.

How to Enrol

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

A flower and a pair of sunglasses rest on a pair of boxes. A stiletto heel shoe and a handbag are sitting in front of another box. The other stiletto heel shoe is on top of one of the boxes.

FAQs

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

A person leans in and looks closely at a big display board with assorted pieces of graphic design work.

Short Courses Booking Terms and Conditions

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