From Observation to Expression: Advanced Drawing Techniques

This course is designed to deepen your observational abilities and build confidence in your artistic practice. Each week Yvonne East introduces inspiring concepts and practical exercises such as exploring proportion, tonal value, intuitive gesture, composition, and colour—to enhance your understanding of visual perception and attention, as revealed through the act of drawing.

Beginning with direct observation of objects and progressing to the human figure, you’ll develop technical and perceptual skills while experimenting with a variety of materials and techniques. Yvonne’s teaching is grounded in research from cognitive psychology, and through conceptual exploration and hands-on practice, she will teach you to engage drawing as a powerful form of creative expression. Yvonne encourages you to embrace both automatic and expressive mark-making, to refine your unique gestural style and deepen your artistic confidence.

To further enrich your learning, the course includes the study and analysis of master drawings, offering inspiration and insight into historical and contemporary approaches. With a supportive and inclusive environment, this course invites you to expand your perception and unlock new possibilities in your drawing practice.

* Please note: There are two course breaks in Term Two due to public holidays. There will be NO class on: Monday 27 April and Monday 8 June (new ANZAC day and King’s Birthday)

• Image used: Yvonne East, Concerns with the representation of the beloved, 2021, charcoal on canvas, 67 x 51 cm. Dobell Drawing Prize Finalist.

• NAS Short Courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over. The NAS Art Club is open to students between 15 - 17 years of age. 

• Drawing and painting short courses may be held in upstairs studios. If access to stairs is not suitable, please contact us.

• What to bring? Please refer to the list of required materials in the Art Materials field below. 

Art Materials

Students must supply their own art materials, please refer to the list below.

Materials required for first class:

• 3 Sheets of A2 Cartridge paper 180–220gsm (throughout the course we will use approximately 20 sheets so an A2 pad can be the best value for money).

• Graphite pencils (2H and 2B)

• Willow charcoal (thin, medium, and thick sized sticks)

• Charcoal pencils (B, 2B or 4B - hard, medium, soft)

• Eraser

Additional materials (to be discussed in first class):

• 10 sheets of A3 White/cream Drawing or Watercolour paper (300 gsm)

• 2 – 3 sheets of Fabriano Tiziano Pastel paper or Canson ‘Mi-Teintes’ paper (55 x 75 cm, 160gsm), or other pastel drawing paper, in 'Tan' or another colour of preference (such as khaki, steel grey, sage, burgundy, etc).

• Compressed charcoal

• Pigment/Drawing ink

• Conté crayons (square sticks) or Conté pencils in white, sanguine (reddish brown), and black/dark grey

• Selection of coloured pencils

• Soft pastels

• Fixative spray

• Flat and Pointed Round Brushes and/or Chinese calligraphy brushes

• Watercolour Palette

• Water Container

• Kneadable eraser and Plastic eraser

• Masking tape

• Ruler

• Sharpener

• 2 Bulldog clips

• Optional: Paper Stumps

Enclosed footwear is essential in all studios on campus.