Classes
DRAWING FOR BEGINNERS - WEEKEND £200 per person
LIFE DRAWING - 4 FRIDAYS £500 per person
PORTRAIT DRAWING - 2 DAYS £250 per person
What to expect
A personalised approach. I start each course understanding your creative drive and what you want to explore, improve and achieve. This makes our group exercises personal to each student.
A creative environment. Creativity needs calm. We work in a relaxed atmosphere in a well-lit and spacious studio to give every student the confidence and space to explore, experiment and push their creative boundaries.
Guided development. In art education, showing beats telling. You will learn through doing, not just listening. Throughout the class I demonstrate specific techniques and we hold regular individual and group reviews during our time together to guide and direct your development.
Learning the craft of art. You will learn the essential planning principles and techniques to take control of your work as a deliberate, thoughtful artist. I run plenty of hands-on exercises throughout the course to help you explore your creative options early on in your work and understand how clear-eyed decisions on materials, composition, scale and tone will help you deliver your vision.
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My background. I have spent 20 years running my own classes in East Sussex and as a Senior Short Course Tutor delivering drawing and painting courses at West Dean College in West Sussex.
Before that, I plied my creative trade as a designer and art director in the murky world of advertising. Those were the pre-computer graphics days of pencils, magic markers, layout pads and hand-drawn visuals. I loved it! Just not as much as creating my own art. But being responsible for directing the talents of illustrators, animators, photographers and film makers taught me valuable lessons in direct, clear communication. I bring those instincts to both my own art and my teaching.​​​​​​
DRAWING FOR BEGINNERS - WEEKEND
£200 per person
Accuracy of observation and accuracy of representation are the bedrock of visual arts whichever visual art form you may choose.
For beginners or those in need of a comprehensive refresher, this structured course will introduce you to four key observational and drawing techniques that will get you drawing with confidence. You will be introduced to the basics of how to observe and accurately record proportion, spatial and shape relationships and tonal values that combine to give your drawings form and energy.
Working from still life arrangements, you will be taught each technique through a series of drawing exercises and tutor demonstrations, from taking control of the size and positioning of your drawing on the page to the effective application of tone to enhance form.
There are short group assessments at key stages throughout the course and individual style and experimentation is encouraged. You will also have the opportunity to explore mark making by working with different drawing materials on paper.
The observational and drawing knowledge you will gain through hands-on practice which will enable you to continue improving your drawing accuracy well into the future.
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Location
Situated 5 miles from Lewes in the heart of the East Sussex countryside. Full details given when you book.
Class dates​
2024 - October Sat. 19th and Sun. 20th
2025 - January Sat. 18th and Sun. 19th
Times
Starting at 10am and finishing at 4pm with tea/coffee breaks at mid-morning and mid-afternoon and a 1 hour lunch break between 1and 2pm.
Lunch
A home-made vegetarian lunch will be served and would typically be soup and artisan bread with cake to finish. Teas and coffee will be served during morning, lunch and afternoon breaks.
Please note that we are not able to cater for any food allergies but you are welcome to bring your own packed lunch.
Parking
Free on street parking is available outside the location.
Materials provided
The course includes a 2B and 4B pencil, willow charcoal and A2 cartridge paper. Pencil erasers, sharpeners, easels and A2 drawing boards are also available for each student.
This is everything you need to complete the course but do feel free to bring your own drawing materials if you wish.
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Bookings and enquiries
Please contact me by email or phone for bookings, payment and enquiries.
Please note that all courses must be paid for in advance.
A full refund will be made if the course has to be cancelled or if you cancel giving a minimum of 14 days’ notice.
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Group bookings welcomed and one-to-one tutoring also offered.
​​​
andrewfitchett48@gmail.com 01825 751040 or 07594 152148
LIFE DRAWING - 4 FRIDAYS
£500 per person
This class is an ideal follow on from my DRAWING FOR BEGINNERS class and for those of you who may have some previous life drawing experience but feel in need of a thorough refresher.
Running over 4 consecutive Fridays the class delivers a proven, structured approach. You will build your knowledge and hands-on drawing experience through a series of drawing exercises and tutor demonstrations. Short group reviews throughout will help you accumulate and consolidate new skills each step of the way.
Working directly from life models you will work with a range of drawing materials on paper to record the human form. You will be introduced to measurement and observational techniques, discover the importance of shape and space and work on specific hands, feet and faces exercises. You will also be encouraged to experiment with line quality and the application of tone whilst your understanding of human anatomy.
With a maximum of 6 places available you will receive plenty of input and guidance for your own individual development.
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Location
Situated 5 miles from Lewes in the heart of the East Sussex countryside. Full details given when you book.
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Class dates
2024 - November 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd (All Fridays)
2025 - February 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th (All Fridays)
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Class times
Starting at 10am and finishing at 4pm with tea/coffee breaks at mid-morning and mid-afternoon and a 1-hour lunch break between 1and 2pm.
Lunch
A home-made vegetarian lunch will be served and would typically be soup and artisan bread with cake to finish. Teas and coffee will be served during morning, lunch and afternoon breaks.
Please note that we are not able to cater for any food allergies but you are welcome to bring your own packed lunch.
​
Parking
Free on street parking is available outside the location.
​
Materials provided
The course includes a 2B and 4B pencil, willow charcoal and A2 cartridge paper. Pencil erasers, sharpeners, easels and A2 drawing boards are available for each student. This is everything you need to complete the course but do feel free to bring your own drawing materials if you wish.
​
Bookings and enquiries
Please contact me by email or phone for bookings, payment and enquiries.
Please note that all courses must be paid for in advance.
A full refund will be made if the course has to be cancelled or if you cancel giving a minimum of 14 days’ notice.
​
Group bookings welcomed and one-to-one tutoring also offered.
​
andrewfitchett48@gmail.com 01825 751040 or 07594 152148
PORTRAIT DRAWING - 2 DAYS
£250 per person
You may be a portrait drawing newbie or have some experience and want to improve your ability to capture a likeness. Either way, my structured class where you observe and draw from a live model will equip you with the techniques to make real progress in this time honoured art form.
Working with a range of pencils and charcoal on paper, you will receive a thorough introduction to methods of observation, measurement, proportion, space and shape relationships and the effects of light and shade. As well as developing an understanding of the physical shape and structure of the human head, we will also explore how different materials and techniques can give your portrait drawings energy and depth.
There are short group reviews at key stages throughout the class to help you reflect on your own drawing development and to ensure your understanding of each technique. The practice and development of these observational and drawing skills will enhance your portrait drawing ability and give you confidence to develop your own style and approach to portraiture.
Location
Situated 5 miles from Lewes in the heart of the East Sussex countryside. Full details given when you book.
​
Class dates
2024 - November Fri. 29th and Sat. 30th
2025 - March Fri. 14th and Sat. 15th
Class times
Starting at 10am and finishing at 4pm with tea/coffee breaks at mid-morning and mid-afternoon and a 1 hour lunch break between 1and 2pm.
​
Lunch
A home-made vegetarian lunch will be served and would typically be soup and artisan bread with cake to finish. Teas and coffee will be served during morning, lunch and afternoon breaks.
Please note that we are not able to cater for any food allergies but you are welcome to bring your own packed lunch.
Parking
Free on street parking is available outside the location.
Materials provided
The course includes a 2B and 4B pencil, willow charcoal and A2 cartridge paper. Pencil erasers, sharpeners, easels and A2 drawing boards are also available for each student. This is everything you need to complete the course but do feel free to bring your own drawing materials if you wish.
Bookings and enquiries
Please contact me by email or phone for bookings, payment and enquiries.
Group bookings welcomed and one-to-one tutoring also offered.
Please note that all courses must be paid for in advance.
A full refund will be made if the course has to be cancelled or if you cancel giving a minimum of 14 days’ notice.
​
Group bookings welcomed and one-to-one tutoring also offered.
​
andrewfitchett48@gmail.com 01825 751040 or 07594 152148
Student Comments
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'Clear guidance and strategies to try out'.
'How do I choose? The clear concise teaching, the calm creative environment, I could go on'.
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'Really enjoyed it, learned lots and being able to draw intensively for the best part of two days was a treat'.
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'Learning how to structure and plan the drawing which meant being confident to try something challenging'.
'A lot of one-to-one time as well as group and we were encouraged to find our own style'.
'We did some really interesting exercises and he was very attentive and interested and involved in our work'.
'His personal attention to all students ensured that we all progressed, regardless of our ability. I enjoyed it enormously, and will be on the lookout for more of his courses'.
'Learning some of the basic skills to enable me to start drawing in a supportive and friendly group. Very patient and attentive tutor'.
'First class tuition and plenty of variety'.
'Immersive concentration doing something I've never done before with an excellent teacher and other like-minded individuals'.