This ten-week course invites students to explore a wide range of materials and approaches to drawing. Through playful and expressive exercises, we will explore a variety of drawing tools, including sticks, inks, felt pens, wire, collage, pencils, charcoal, and erasers. Working primarily from observation, students will learn strategies that train the eye to see in fresh and unexpected ways.

Each session is self-contained and focuses on a different aspect such as line, tone, texture, composition and colour. We’ll draw inspiration from artists both current and historic, including Vincent van Gogh, Margaret Mellis, Giorgio Morandi, and Alexander Calder, as well as movements such as Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism.

Sample exercises:

• Portrait drawing from a clothed model, inspired by Van Gogh
• Drawing on location in the city, and creating monoprints from these sketches
• 3D drawing with wire, inspired by Alexander Calder
• Pastel drawings of flowers on recycled packaging, inspired by Margaret Mellis
• Expressive abstract drawing with Surrealist games and music

This course welcomes all levels, from complete beginners to those with prior experience. Everyone can enjoy drawing. It is also suitable for students who have previously taken Experimental Drawing, as new exercises and content will be introduced.

Student comment about the tutor:

It’s a wonderful class, it has inspired me to start doing my art work at home again. Rachel is an inspiring teacher. We’ve explored so many different techniques, some new to me. I like it that it can be challenging (in a positive way) and that Rachel introduces artists to illustrate the sessions. She also encourages the students to look at each other’s work and to discuss our approaches and feelings. I look forward to being in the studio!

Image by former student

N.B. No class 31 October.

Phoenix Art Space is a registered charity.

When you purchase a ticket for one of our courses, you’re directly supporting our work. We work hard to keep our prices as low as possible so our courses remain inclusive.

If you’re able to support us further, we warmly welcome donations via our website.

All materials are provided for studio-based sessions. Students will need sketchbooks and some portable drawing materials for drawing on location.

Rachel Cohen studied Art History (BA) at Sussex University and Fine Art (PG Dip) at Brighton. She has an MA in museum and gallery education from the Institute of Education, London. She learned printmaking at a private college in Treviso, Italy and at Kensington and Chelsea Institute in London. Rachel works with wide range of techniques and materials. She makes paintings and sculptures, site-specific installations and performances. Recent projects include residencies in Ireland, Spain, Brazil, Portugal and Denmark, solo exhibitions at Regency Town House and Newhaven Fort and group shows in Brighton, London and Eastbourne.