Classical Drawing Techniques

Are you interested in the history of drawing and would like to refine your drawing skills? Through close study of carefully selected drawings from the 15th to the 18th centuries you will become familiar with the techniques of silverpoint on prepared paper, red and black chalk on tinted paper and ink drawing with reed pen, quill and brush.

Michelle Hiscock demonstrates step-by-step methods of these process from the Renaissance and the Baroque, with detailed presentations on the tools and materials required. She teaches you how to select the right paper, make a reed pen, sizing and tinting paper, as well as shading, hatching and brush control. You will develop a greater awareness of the subtleties of the materials of drawing in general and the incomparable beauty of the drawings from centuries past. Michelle encourages students to experiment and explore the potential of these classical techniques as inspiration for contemporary practice.

* NAS Short Courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over. The NAS Art Club is open to students from ages 15 years and over.

* Drawing and painting short courses may be held in upstairs studios. If access to stairs is not suitable, please contact us at short.courses@nas.edu.au

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

Michelle Hiscock is an expert in the history of painting and drawing techniques, materials, and methods. She is represented by Australian Galleries and has exhibited nationally for over thirty years. Michelle has been a Painting Lecturer at the National Art School since 1998. She has also given many lectures and demonstrations, run classes on historical techniques and conducted floor talks and tours for the Art Gallery of NSW.

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

In week one you will need:

• 1 sheet of hot-pressed Watercolour paper
• Stanley knife
• Three sticks of red chalk/conté
• 1 sheet of fine-medium grained sandpaper
• Soft wide brush approx.1.5cm wide (synthetic sable)
• Sketchbook for experimenting and taking notes
• Compass
• Ruler
• Faber and Castell putty rubber
• White palette or ceramic dish/plate

In subsequent weeks you will need:

• Extra sheets of Watercolour paper as required
• A small bottle of sepia or brown ink
• 1 tube of sepia/brown watercolour
• 1 tube of sepia/brown watercolour
• White chalk/conté
• Black chalk (compressed charcoal)
• White gouache
• Various synthetic sable brushes: (1 small, 1 medium and 1 large flat brush) (1 tiny, 1 small round pointed brush)
• Reeds and silver will be provided
  

Enclosed footwear is essential in all studios on campus.