Drawing and mindfulness: modern and contemporary nature
Explore how mindfulness can enrich the process of drawing, as we discover a range of modern and contemporary approached to drawing from nature. This course offers a great introduction to mindful drawing, or a way to explore it more deeply in the context of this theme.
Choose a starting date
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 06 Mar 2026End Date: 27 Mar 2026Fri (Daytime): 10:00 - 13:00OnlineFull fee £209.00 Senior fee £167.00 Concession £136.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Through a range of drawing approaches, be inspired by new ways of seeing and experiencing drawing. Discover a range of non-toxic drawing media, and a variety of approaches to drawing from nature inspired by a range of artists drawings. Learn how mindfulness can stimulate creativity, a sense of interconnectedness, and the imagination. This course offers a great introduction to mindful drawing or ways to explore it more deeply.
What will we cover?
- A range of drawing approaches inspired by modern and contemporary artists responses to the theme of nature
- Drawing materials and subject matter that take ecological perspectives into consideration
- Mindfulness skills and drawing methods to inspire new directions
- Ways to draw with more freedom (less ‘inner critic’!) and connection to your subject matter and materials
- Mindfulness skills and key ideas on how mindfulness works, with reference to scientific theory
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Draw with more confidence and connection to your materials and subject matter
- Apply a range of mindfulness skills in drawing to ignite your creativity and inspiration
- Identify materials and subject matter from nature that inspire you
- Practice mindfulness to help you identify creative blocks and let go of them
- Employ a toolkit of drawing and mindfulness methods to stimulate, inspire and refresh your drawing
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Suitable for enthusiastic beginners to drawing as well as those with experience in drawing or mindfulness who wish to re-fresh their practice and stimulate new directions.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Through guided mindfulness practices
Demonstration of drawing methods
Practical drawing exercises
One to one tutoring
Pair and group discussion
Personal research tasks
Slideshows, hand-outs and other practical learning resources
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Graphite pencils of different grades (e.g. 2H, 2B, 6B, 9B), willow charcoal, soft chalk-coloured pastels, putty and non PVC eraser, pencil sharpener, 30 sheets cartridge paper e.g. A2 or A3, plus any other drawing materials you’d like to use.
During the course, you will be introduced to a range of non-toxic drawing materials that you can choose to purchase, if you’d like to.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Drawing and Painting from the Imagination, Drawing and mindfulness: releasing the judging mind, Drawing and mindfulness: into abstraction, Artists eye painting projects: the green world.
Clare Barton-Harvey is a full time artist and tutor/trainer living in London. In her teaching, she specialises in life drawing, drawing and mindfulness, working with colour, and painting from the imagination. She is an engaging and inspired tutor responsive to individual need and encouraging of individual growth/expression. In 2003, she studied at the Royal Drawing School, where she engaged in life drawing and the study of contemporary and historic artist’s drawings as part of the Drawing Year. In 2017 she engaged in post-graduate study with Bob and Roberta Smith (RA) and has exhibited solo and in a variety of group shows throughout the UK. You can see her work at www.cbarton-harvey.co.uk. Clare has been a practicing artist & mindfulness practitioner for over 25 years, and has taught drawing and painting for over 18 years, in a variety of locations currently including the National Gallery, British Museum, British Library, Pallant House and Hampton Court Palace. She is also co-founder of LIMINA collective (www.liminacollective.com) who specialise in mindful engagement with art in galleries and museums.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.