Drawing: old master techniques

Look back at the drawing techniques and materials used by the Old Masters of the Renaissance period. Working to set exercises, explore drawing materials used by significant artists of this time, using their methods to practise and develop your own drawing skills.

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: 21 Jul 2025
    End Date: 22 Jul 2025
    Mon-Tue (Daytime): 10:00 - 17:00
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 2 sessions
    Course Code: VH772
    Tutors:  Simon English
    Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00
    Add to Wish List
  • Start Date: 13 Jul 2026
    End Date: 16 Jul 2026
    Mon-Tue+Thu (Daytime): 10:30 - 16:30
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 3 sessions
    Course Code: VH772
    Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00
    Add to Wish List

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.

Book your place
In stock
SKU
226777
Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00

What is the course about?

Learning about the methods and materials used, we begin by making copies of drawings from this period. We will explore techniques such as cross-hatching, smudging and line, to describe structure. Explore working on mid-tone paper with the Trois Crayons technique (i.e. black, sanguine, and white pastels) to create beautiful effects, and also learn a range of pen-and-ink techniques. Having made drawn copies and practised the techniques, we will then apply them to our own observational drawings.

What will we cover?

  • Making research studies from selected drawings.
  • Learning drawing methods to replicate the effects of Old Master drawings.
  • Use of a variety of media, including Trois Crayons technique, and pen and ink.
  • Discovering a personal response to the techniques and materials of the chosen artists.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Make copies of Old Master drawings.
• Use three of the materials of the Old Masters including Sanguine, Trois Crayons technique, and pen-and-ink.
• Practise several drawing techniques and methods used by the old masters.
• Apply your research to observational drawing.
• Discover a personal response to your selected drawings for further development.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.

 

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

There will be demonstrations, group discussion, and one-to-one tuition.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

All materials are provided.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Any drawing class would help to further develop your drawing. You may like to join a Life-drawing class or Portrait class. Painting classes are also a good follow-on.

Simon English
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.

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.