Drawing: Perception and Transformation

This immersive drawing course focuses on working from direct observation, emphasizing the importance of drawing as a foundation for understanding and interpreting the world. The course operates on the principle that drawing provides a direct exploration of, and possible challenge to, our perceptions; and is viewed as a transformative element in art practice.

Students will work from one or more life models, primarily using charcoal on paper, with additional materials introduced as needed. Unconventional tools and exercises will also be incorporated to expand the students' drawing techniques and methods. The scale of the work will vary from moderate to very large as we explore the relationship between the picture plane and other pictorial elements. The course is designed for intermediate to advanced levels of drawing experience, and critiques will be held throughout the course to provide feedback and foster growth.

The course is suitable for those with prior drawing experience at intermediate and advanced levels.

* 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. 

Fran O’Neill’s art practice is grounded in drawing from life, and she maintains these fundamentals as she focuses on abstract paintings.

She currently teaches online and formerly, on campus at the Art Students League and the New York Studio School in New York City and is represented by the Sears Peyton Gallery in the Chelsea art district in Manhattan. She holds dual citizenship in the U.S.A. and in Australia, dividing her time between Australia and New York.

Her paintings are held in corporate, museum and individual collections.  For more information on Fran’s artworks, visit www.searspeyton.com and http://www.franoneill.com/

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

• 25 sheets of good quality paper, 50 x 65cm or similar (no newsprint) e.g. Fabriano Accademia 200gsm
• Sketch book A4 size
• Variety of lead pencils from H - 6B
• 4-5 Erasers e.g. Staedtler plastic erasers
• 3-4 boxes (boxes, not sticks) of medium willow charcoal (not compressed charcoal) e.g. Coates Willow Charcoal 5-6mm box of 25. May need to purchase more depending upon the way you draw with charcoal.
• 1 tub of white acrylic paint, approx. 250ml. Cheap brand is fine
• 4-5 empty containers with lids e.g. jam or peanut butter jars are fine
• 1 bottle of Chinese Black Ink 100cc (This is the name of the ink. Eckersley’s sell it)
• 3-4 synthetic brushes, wide and thin, plus a wide cheap 1-2" brush from Bunnings
• 1 roll masking tape
• 1 pair latex gloves
• 1 box metal push pins
• Enclosed footwear is essential in all studios on campus.