ABOUT
This course introduces beginners to basic drawing techniques. Through a variety of exercises designed to integrate the concepts of line, proportion, perspective, construction, composition, and tone, students explore drawing using graphite, charcoal, and dry pastel.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Introduction to the draftsman's tools and the appropriate drawing posture
Complete analysis of the subject: composition, proportions, negative spaces, and tones
Understanding of the geometrization of forms and linear drawing
Understanding of the hierarchy of tones based on the subject's volume
Line control: flexibility and finesse in drawing execution
Comparative observation method
Notions of one- and two-point perspective
Notions of composition: rule of thirds and the golden ratio
Technique for copying old master drawings
COURSE DESCRIPTION
COURSE 1 — The Draftsman's Materials and Tools
Introduction to graphite and dry pastel techniques. Explanation of the specific characteristics of different media and papers. Demonstrations of techniques with line, shading, hatching, and transition exercises. Control of pressure and line on paper. COURSE 2 — Introduction to Graphite and Line Drawing Techniques
Learning line drawing: geometrization of shapes (block-in), relationships between shapes, proportions, positive and negative spaces. Learning gridding. Introduction to copying old master drawings. Analysis of appropriate technique and integration of line drawing and tone drawing techniques.
COURSE 3 — Composition
Introduction to the rule of thirds and the golden ratio. Geometry in art. Analysis of various old master compositions. Composition exercises using abstract blots.
COURSE 4 — Perspective and Geometric Shapes
Introduction to one-point and two-point perspective. Imagination and observation exercises. Introduction to constructing simple geometric shapes by integrating the concepts of perspective. Construction of a sphere, a cube, a cylinder, and a cone. COURSE 5 — Observational Drawing
An observational drawing exercise based on a simple subject. Introduction to the comparative drawing method. Integration of the concepts of perspective, construction, and tones. The sphere exercise will be introduced in this course.
COURSE 6 — Light and Shadow
Analysis of the effects of light and shadow on simple shapes and study of appropriate lighting to create interesting volumes. Understanding the shadow line and the hierarchy of tones.
COURSE 7 — Hatching
An introduction to the hatching technique. Focus on understanding faceted drawing. Introduction to the final rendering of graphite drawings. Practice hatching on a linear drawing.
COURSE 8 — The Sphere
A course devoted to drawing a sphere in all its tones.
COURSE 9 — The Soft Pastel Technique
Introduction to the soft pastel technique. Grayscale drawing exercises. Understanding the transition between different tones.
CLASS 10 — Silhouette Drawing
A drawing exercise aimed at clearly defining the outline of shapes without going into detail. The goal is to fit your silhouette neatly within its compositional framework without it spilling out. The course will be divided into three 1-hour blocks, each with a different model.
CLASS 11 — Blob Drawing
This course contains drawing exercises aimed at eliminating the outline and allowing you to better understand the importance of the relationship between masses of light and shadow; the goal is to learn to draw like a painter. The exercises will be done in pastel on manila paper in a dichotomy.
CLASS 12 — Quick Sketching
This course focuses on quick drawing to learn how to find general shapes, practice block-in, be able to create a comprehensible image in a short time, and focus on the silhouette and the addition of relevant details. COURSE 13 — Dry Pastel 2
This course focuses on copying an academy by Pierre-Paul Prud'hon. This exercise connects everything learned since the beginning of the session and introduces students to more advanced renderings in pastel.
COURSE 14 — Oil Sketch (Small Water)
This course covers the brush drawing technique we use before beginning to paint: the clay sketch. Various brush exercises will be offered to students during the course, as well as a brief introduction to oil painting.
WHEN?
Winter session 2026
Monday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., from January 26 to April 27.
Teacher: Mélodie Beaupré
PRIX
Semester : 14 courses of 3 h, including 2 live model classes (value 80$)– 1039,50 $ +taxes
IMPORTANT: Before enrolling, we require that you first contact us to make an appointment for a free preliminary interview.
A 10% discount for full-time students can be applied if we are notified.
