Explore the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks: learn and improve your drawing skills and ‘ways of seeing’ and understanding by working from some of the iconic paintings in the National Gallery.
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An introduction to sketching in different areas of The National Gallery. 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 collections 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 paintings on display. Meeting place will be the inside the Main entrance at the Sainsbury Wing on Trafalgar Square, near the information desk / café area at left side of foyer (after you have been through security - please allow extra time for this) You will then be given a plan for the day by the tutor.
Please be on time as the tutor can only wait for max 15 mins - 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?
Drawing from a variety of paintings from different eras and painted in different styles gives you the chance to explore some of the effects that can be achieved in drawing with pencils: such as use of light/shadow to create volume, and types of mark-making. You will also have a brief introduction to colour.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Draw simple shapes with confidence - Investigate different methods of drawing - Achieve confidence to start using a sketchbook - Start to draw directly from observation of paintings.
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 draw - You have not used a sketchbook before - You need more confidence drawing different things - You’d like to explore different ways of sketchbook drawing.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will receive individual guidance with some demonstration and group discussion, to enable you to develop your practical work in the sketchbook throughout the day.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will need to bring an A5 or A4 size sketchbook preferably one that opens out flat. Drawing pencils eg HB 2B, 3B, 4B, eraser, pencil sharpener, coloured pencils and/or any other colour materials eg felt tips/pastel pencils etc Please note: no wet materials, scissors or craft knives are allowed in the museum.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
We run a number of 'sketching at the museum courses' including: Tate Modern, National Gallery, V&A, and The British Museum Introduction to using Sketchbook: 50 Drawings in a day
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/sketching-at-the-national-gallery2540176Sketching at the National Galleryhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/c/l/classical_sculpture_sketchbook_1.jpg8989GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Drawing/Courses/Art & design/Drawing/Sketchbooks & location drawing/Courses/vm/Courses to do around London2285113211481151167812285113211481653Explore the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks: learn and improve your drawing skills and ‘ways of seeing’ and understanding by working from some of the iconic paintings in the National Gallery.00https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/c/l/classical_nude_drawing_hw_12.jpg2539978Sketching at the National Gallery8989https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/VH978_Sketch_at_museum_Tate_Brit-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeThuOff SiteAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-07-23T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJul 2026Art & designVM0708989Sketching at the National Gallery898989Diane Martinsketching-at-the-national-gallery/vm070-2526Explore the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks: learn and improve your drawing skills and ‘ways of seeing’ and understanding by working from some of the iconic paintings in the National Gallery.0000-Available|2026-07-23 00:00:00<p>An introduction to sketching in different areas of The National Gallery. 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 collections and in discussion with the group.<br/>Explore a range of approaches with a variety of drawing media, using experimental mark-making, light and shadow and colour to interpret the paintings on display.<br/>Meeting place will be the inside the Main entrance at the Sainsbury Wing on Trafalgar Square, near the information desk / café area at left side of foyer (after you have been through security - please allow extra time for this)<br/>You will then be given a plan for the day by the tutor.<br/><br/>Please be on time as the tutor can only wait for max 15 mins - please contact Visual Arts if you are running late.<br/>The tutor will have your phone numbers in case they need to get in touch in an emergency.</p>Explore the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks: learn and improve your drawing skills and ‘ways of seeing’ and understanding by working from some of the iconic paintings in the National Gallery.Drawing from a variety of paintings from different eras and painted in different styles gives you the chance to explore some of the effects that can be achieved in drawing with pencils: such as use of light/shadow to create volume, and types of mark-making. You will also have a brief introduction to colour.- Draw simple shapes with confidence<br/> - Investigate different methods of drawing <br/> - Achieve confidence to start using a sketchbook <br/> - Start to draw directly from observation of paintings.This course is for you if you are a beginner or:<br/> - You want to learn more about how to draw<br/> - You have not used a sketchbook before<br/> - You need more confidence drawing different things<br/> - You’d like to explore different ways of sketchbook drawing.You will receive individual guidance with some demonstration and group discussion, to enable you to develop your practical work in the sketchbook throughout the day.You will need to bring an A5 or A4 size sketchbook preferably one that opens out flat. Drawing pencils eg HB 2B, 3B, 4B, eraser, pencil sharpener, coloured pencils and/or any other colour materials eg felt tips/pastel pencils etc Please note: no wet materials, scissors or craft knives are allowed in the museum.<p>We run a number of 'sketching at the museum courses' including: Tate Modern, National Gallery, V&A, and The British Museum<br/>Introduction to using Sketchbook:<br/>50 Drawings in a day<br/> </p>DrawingSketchbooks & location drawingvirtual898989VM070NONEThu23/07/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayOSOff SiteDiane MartinBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-07-23T00:00:00+00:00Jul 2026Art & design8989Sketching at the National Gallerysketching-at-the-national-gallery/vm070-2526Explore the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks: learn and improve your drawing skills and ‘ways of seeing’ and understanding by working from some of the iconic paintings in the National Gallery.0000-Available|2026-07-23 00:00:00<p>An introduction to sketching in different areas of The National Gallery. 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 collections and in discussion with the group.<br/>Explore a range of approaches with a variety of drawing media, using experimental mark-making, light and shadow and colour to interpret the paintings on display.<br/>Meeting place will be the inside the Main entrance at the Sainsbury Wing on Trafalgar Square, near the information desk / café area at left side of foyer (after you have been through security - please allow extra time for this)<br/>You will then be given a plan for the day by the tutor.<br/><br/>Please be on time as the tutor can only wait for max 15 mins - please contact Visual Arts if you are running late.<br/>The tutor will have your phone numbers in case they need to get in touch in an emergency.</p>Explore the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks: learn and improve your drawing skills and ‘ways of seeing’ and understanding by working from some of the iconic paintings in the National Gallery.Drawing from a variety of paintings from different eras and painted in different styles gives you the chance to explore some of the effects that can be achieved in drawing with pencils: such as use of light/shadow to create volume, and types of mark-making. You will also have a brief introduction to colour.- Draw simple shapes with confidence<br/> - Investigate different methods of drawing <br/> - Achieve confidence to start using a sketchbook <br/> - Start to draw directly from observation of paintings.This course is for you if you are a beginner or:<br/> - You want to learn more about how to draw<br/> - You have not used a sketchbook before<br/> - You need more confidence drawing different things<br/> - You’d like to explore different ways of sketchbook drawing.You will receive individual guidance with some demonstration and group discussion, to enable you to develop your practical work in the sketchbook throughout the day.You will need to bring an A5 or A4 size sketchbook preferably one that opens out flat. Drawing pencils eg HB 2B, 3B, 4B, eraser, pencil sharpener, coloured pencils and/or any other colour materials eg felt tips/pastel pencils etc Please note: no wet materials, scissors or craft knives are allowed in the museum.<p>We run a number of 'sketching at the museum courses' including: Tate Modern, National Gallery, V&amp;A, and The British Museum<br/>Introduction to using Sketchbook:<br/>50 Drawings in a day<br/> </p>DrawingSketchbooks & location drawingconfigurable
