Drawing
with the Greats
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Discover the secrets behind eight legendary artists’ techniques in this immersive 8-week drawing journey. Each week, you’ll explore a different master’s style, creating your own graphite-based artwork inspired by their approach, while experimenting with additional drawing tools. All high-quality supplies are included — and yours to keep — so you can continue creating long after the course ends.
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See Schedule below for specific lesson details and objectives
Jan. 22nd-Line Weight with Albecht Dürer
We will study how Dürer used fine lines to create detail and "thick to thin" lines for depth.
We will practice using different line techniques to create a "Masterpiece Feather" practicing light pressure for soft details and heavy pressure for bold outlines.
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Jan 29th-Geometric Foundation with Leonardo da Vinci
Together, we will examine how Da Vinci used basic shapes (circles, triangles) to map out complex subjects. Students will practice "mapping" a simple object (like an apple or a toy) by drawing its basic geometric skeleton before adding details.
Feb 5th-Hatching & Cross-Hatching with Rembrandt
Rembrandt van Rijn’s drawing skills were defined by an extraordinary command of cross-hatching, a technique he used not just for shading, but for breathing life into his subjects. We will practice how to create darkness by layering lines in different directions as well as creating life-like textures. Students will draw an animal’s face of their choosing and use hatching and cross-hatching lines.
Feb 12th-Shading & Blending with Georgia O'Keeffe
We will observe Georgia O’Keeffe’s work and notice her blending skills and attempt to recreate the technique using graphite by using the side of the pencil to create smooth, smoky transitions of value. We will use blending stumps (tortillons) to also help with blending and softening. Students will draw a "Macro Flower" (zoomed in), focusing on blending graphite smoothly from dark centers to light petal edges.
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Feb 19th-Negative Space with M.C. Escher
MC Escher’s drawings are mind boggling! We will explore the space around an object to help define its shape as he did. We will train our brains to notice negative space and draw the "Space Between" chair legs or a tangled pile of ribbons, shading the background to reveal the object.
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Feb 26th Stippling with Georges Seurat
Although known for painting, Seurat’s "Conte" drawings used tiny dots and marks to create light.
Students will create a still life drawing using only dots (stippling) and small dashes to represent light and shadow.
March 5th-Proportion & Portraits with Amy Sherald
Amy Sherald is known for her striking, large-scale portraits that use grayscale skin tones, vibrant clothing, and symbolic backgrounds to tell deeply personal and cultural stories. Students will study a face from a reference photo and attempt to create a "Proportional Portrait" where we will use a pencil as a measuring tool to check the distance between eyes, nose, and mouth. We will also incorporate Sherald’s grayscale method to create shape, form, and texture.
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March 12th-Contrast and Composition with Käthe Kollwitz
Learn how to use "High Contrast" (very dark blacks against white paper) for emotional impact.
Project: A "Final Still Life" of three objects, requiring the use of all techniques: hatching, blending, and strong line weight.
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