Drawing – exploration of media – 2 day course
Start Date: Saturday 10/05/2025
Time: 10:00am
Duration: 3 (total 6) hrs
Price: £120.00
Ability: All Welcome
Tutor: Rachel Labovitch
Tickets Available: 8
About this course
THIS COURSE IS NO LONGER TAKING BOOKINGS
Sat 10th May - Sun 11th May 10.00 - 1.00pm
This course will also run Tues 19th, Wed 20th August - for details See here
This extended "taster" is an excellent way to start with the process of drawing and perfect for anyone hesitant to get started again....and a wonderful way to spend a weekend!
Indulge and treat yourself or a friend to this two-part workshop, a relaxed hands-on introduction to some basic drawing materials, mark-making, and observational techniques. Led by artist Rachel Labovich, it’s ideal for beginners or anyone wanting to reconnect with drawing through experimentation. Think of it as a prelude to a full drawing course—where you'll discover what drawing can be, not just how to do it.
We’ll explore materials like graphite, charcoal, and pen; focus on line, pattern, tone, and texture; create sketchbook studies from still life objects—with a spotlight on observing as well as drawing. Come ready to have a go, try things out, and gain some confidence in the multifaceted process of drawing.
About This Course
Session 1: Materials & Ways of Seeing
- Introduction to drawing as mark-making
- Guided sketchbook warmups: line, pattern, shading, scribble, hatch, and smudge
- Overview of dry media: pencil, graphite stick, charcoal, conte, chalk
- Using erasers as drawing tools
- Still life sketch: line drawing with attention to elliptical forms and negative space
- Group chat: what makes a “drawing”?
Session 2: Expolring expression through different media
- Review and reflection on marks and materials
- Working with pen, ink, and wash (and the role of fluid marks)
- Combining media in creative sketchbook pages
- Still life drawing from observation: contrast and expression
- Focus on composition and bold mark-making
- Creating a finished sketchbook spread showing “different ways of drawing”
Delivered by Rachel Labovitch, a highly accomplished visual artist whose practice is deeply rooted in the art of drawing (read more about Rachel here) at our inspiring studio in Twickenham.
Rachel's experienced and hands-on approach means you will receive step by step instruction & guidance, practice of techniques and group and individual feedback.
What to bring
Selection of different weight pencils HB, H, 2B, 6B, putty rubber, plastic rubber, 180gsm cartridge paper or sketch pad.
Charcoal, either willow or compressed.
Book Your Place
Event FAQs
“Taking the time to learn in the inspiring environment of Colne Road Studios was such a treat! The group was welcoming and supportive and Rachel is an extremely talented and generous teacher, sharing her skills and knowledge to give us fresh perspectives and a wealth of useful advice and feedback. I felt my ability and interest in drawing had been revived after many years dormant, learning how to observe as well as how to draw. I would encourage anyone willing to pick up a pencil to have a go, and have already signed up to Rachel’s next course! “CB March 2025
A CPZ is in force from Mon to Sat 8.30 – 6.30pm
Limited paid spaces available in surrounding roads with Ring Go cashless Parking
Max stay 4 hours during operational hours
Holly Road Car park, behind Marks & Spencer TW1 4HF
Mon to Sat – 8am to 6.30pm.
This car park is accessible and free to park in outside of these hours. Max stay 4 hours during operational hours – walking to the Studio approx 9mins
At the moment the courses at Colne Road Studios are designed for adults over the age of 18 . The aim is to create a relaxed environment, provide a bit of an escape and switch off from every day responsibilites. We are not able to accommodate children in our classes, nor do we provide children’s classes at this time.
To secure a course, please book at least 8 days before the listed course start date.
Any course with no bookings 8 days prior to it’s start date will then be removed from the website .
Courses with fewer than 3 participants may be cancelled, with 5 days’ notice given to those who had enrolled.
You will be notified by email if this happens, unless you would like us to text you instead, but please let us know.
A refund for the full course value will then be made.
Please bare with us . This might take 5-10 days to come through.
All of our longer courses are exchangeable up until 28 days prior to the start of the course. After this, you are able to change your booking to a different course for a £20 admin fee. Please note that from 14 days prior to the start of the course, your booking is non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
Our refund policy is strict because it enables us to pay ourselves and our tutors a fair wage, and remain accessible as a studio.
Every time we are asked to to accommodate a refund request, we would be forced to lower our staff wages or increase our prices – both of which we really want to avoid. We hope you understand that this is why there are no exemptions to our refund policies.
What if the course is cancelled by Colne Road Studios ?
Courses with fewer than 3 participants may be cancelled, with 5 days’ notice given to those who had enrolled.
You will be notified by email if this happens, unless you would like us to text you instead, but please let us know.
A refund for the full course value will then be made.
Please bare with us . This might take 5-10 days to come through.