Experimental Drawing and Mark Making

Indicative maximum class size: 16 

This course is encouraging and gently challenging.

It’s aimed at those interested in drawing and mark-making using different tools and materials.

It’ll encourage participation, experimentation and reflection, whilst exploring the fundamentals of energy, the organic self, the sensory self and the expression of self.

Course Description

Mark-making can be the result of an action or a gesture.

Marks can use or remove material.

They can remain on the surface or penetrate below.

As children, making marks is natural, and drawing can be seen as crucial to their development - it could be said children draw before speech is developed.

However, in a world that is becoming synthetic, virtual and reliant on technology there’s less opportunity to make marks - even your signature is being used less.

On this course, you will:

• follow a methodical approach that aims to create freedom in your drawing
• look at the history of mark making, from tribal crafts to contemporary design
• complete exercises that experiment with tools and materials
• explore mark-making using all your senses
• record mark-making through movement, from the miniscule to the full body stretch
• create marks using rhythm, repetition and small changes
• engage with intention, intuition, instinct and memory
• turn simple marks into the beginnings of a drawing.

The course is for beginners and the experienced.

You might be an artist or designer looking for inspiration or you might be completely new to drawing.

You might want to get back to basics, or looking for the next steps in your work.

What will you gain?

By the end of the course, you will have completed a range of simple exercises to help release your body so that you can continue to make marks unhindered.

You will also have a sketchbook of drawing and ideas to continue working on.

Here's what our previous attendees said:

'Thank you Jane. I loved it! It was a relaxed and encouraging environment' BLG

'Relaxed and small group, reignited my creativity and made me feel I want to persue a Masters degree at University' NH

'Really useful, enjoyed it a lot. There was new information and ideas on drawing, guidance on materials and space to try things out'

'Welcoming atmosphere, non-judgmental and encouraging. Wonderful studio space also, very lucky to have experienced it. Appreciated the direct thoughts and feedback from Jane, which was delivered sensitively and in an inspiring manner. Well thought out homework, notes and suggestions.' J

'Excellent course - thank you Jane!'

'Wonderfully encouraging tutor. Had freedom to experiment, a wealth of materials, teacher guidance and knowledge, and enjoyed mark making with my full body' AG

'I enjoyed exploring different ways of making marks with plenty of interesting materials and papers, there was lots of space to work and large papers to use. Thank you Jane, I found it very interesting and useful' VC

Level: Open to all

Entry requirement: Beginners as well as those with some drawing experience are welcome.

Where you'll learn: You will be based in the School of Art and Design on the City Campus.

You'll find bright drawing and painting studio and workshop spaces to develop your ideas and create exciting work.

You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.

Tutor profile: Jane Lavender has over 30 years’ experience working mainly in a range of art and design disciplines, ranging from site-specific design projects, textiles, lighting and more.

She completed her MA in Contemporary Craft Practice at Nottingham Trent University in 2014, which explored the energy of making and the signature of the body.

Jane’s interests lie in artistic pursuits however simple, and their relationship to well-being and how we connect with others and our environments.

Any questions?

Contact the short course team:

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813