Sketching at the museum: National Maritime Museum

What is the course about?

An introduction to sketching in different areas of The National Maritime Museum. Drawing will be explored in its broadest sense by gathering information through image making, research and interpretation. Enjoy the challenge of expressing yourself in fresh ways through a personal response to the collection and in discussion with the group.

Explore a range of approaches with a variety of drawing media, using experimental mark-making, light and shadow and colour to interpret the objects on display.

Meeting place will be just inside the main entrance. You will then be given a plan for the day by the tutor. Please be on time as the tutor can only wait max 15 mins for latecomers. Please contact Visual Arts if you are running late.
The tutor will have your phone numbers in case they need to get in touch in an emergency.

What will we cover?

* Quick sketching
* Experimental mark-making
* Intuitive response
* Line, tone, pattern, texture
* Volume and form
* Scale and spatial relationships
* Inter-relationship of objects on display
* Sketching as research.

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

- Start to sketch a range of objects and artifacts from observation
- Investigate different methods of drawing
- Interpret and reinterpret work in the collections
- Sketch with greater confidence in public space.

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

This course is for you if you are a beginner or:
- You want to learn more about how to sketch as research
- You have not used a sketchbook before
- You need more confidence looking at and understanding museum collections
- You’d like to broaden your ideas of what drawing is.

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

You will receive individual guidance and group discussion to enable you to develop your practical work in the
sketchbook throughout the day, supported by a handout and itinerary.
Please note the Meeting place as above.

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

Please bring an A5 or A4 hardbacked Sketchbook that preferably opens out flat and a selection of:
Drawing pencils eg 2B, 4B, 6B, coloured pencils including white, a rubber and sharpener, a biro/fine
liner and any other materials that you enjoy using and are portable, clean and easy to use in the gallery. It is useful to have some coloured or tonal paper for use with any colour materials of your choice.
Please note: no wet materials, craft knives or scissors are allowed in the museum.

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

Sketchbook: Ideas, materials, techniques
50 Drawings in a day
There are many other sketching at the museum courses and sketchbook courses throughout the year.