An insight into drawing classes with Susie Hartley

What a super start to 2025 with new students at my art studio, Lewes, East Sussex for the 5 week drawing class which takes place Thursday mornings 10.00-12.00.

During the first lesson in January (there are 5 weeks per course) we discussed the different drawing techniques we will be using including line and tone working with pencil, charcoal, ink and stick, pastel and fine liner. Each week the students work from different subject matter and the first week we studied a selection of red peppers. We focused on the shape, texture and composition using a range of pencils including 2B, 4B and 6B and a good rubber.

Please see below some of the fantastic work the students have produced.

I also made contextual references to other artists during the lesson.

The second week we worked with charcoal. We used reflective saucepans and a lovely old coffee pot. Everyone loved this subject matter and use of material. Working with willow charcoal and compressed charcoal and charcoal pencils the students worked into the cartridge paper with this lovely expressive material.

Above is the class prior to the students arriving, I ensure everything is set up and adjust the seating according to people's preferences.

A cup of tea or coffee break half way through is essential!

Over the five weeks we also worked with ink and stick, pastel and fine liner to capture different linear and tonal drawing techniques.

If you'd like to join my drawing classes (available for all levels and abilities) my art studio is a space for you to practise and develop your drawing skills at your own pace and with one to one tuition.

To find out more, please click the link below:

https://www.susiehartley.co.uk/drawing-classes

Susie