Drawing the Figure in Charcoal and Chalk with Lydia Cecil (April 2024)

Date: Friday 11 April, 2025 – Sunday 13 April, 2025

Time: 10am – 5pm

Tutor: Lydia Cecil

Cost: £360

Location: Raw Umber Studios, 16 Nelson Street, Stroud GL5 2HN

‘One of the most valuable courses I have ever done for my painting practice’ – Tania, Raw Umber Student

Do you want to be a better painter? You may not realise, but drawing is the most important foundation for a good painting practice. By removing the problem of colour, you can focus on drawing, values and edges – probably the three most important principles in both drawing and painting.

This method of learning to draw first before painting is the foundation of traditional atelier training. This training was the basis for most Old Masters’ practice, from Rembrandt to Picasso. In this course, Lydia will teach you how to draw in charcoal and chalk. Charcoal is an easier medium than oil, but provides you with an excellent foundation. Lydia helps break down the drawing into clear stages, to make the drawing feel manageable. 

Join Lydia in drawing a live model for a sustained long pose over three days. This course is ideal for beginner, intermediate and professional artists who would like to gain experience in drawing the nude figure from life in charcoal and chalk. No experience is necessary.

What will I learn?

• How to create a figure drawing from start to finish
• The importance of gesture and anatomy in figure drawing
• The importance and principals of drawing, values and edges
• How to handle charcoal and chalk

It is the ideal way to take your drawing skills to the next level.

“I enjoyed a four-day portrait painting course here. The studio is spacious, bright and airy, with all the amenities you would want. There is parking on-site and access is easy. The course was very well taught, using good professional models. The people were friendly and welcoming and learning was made appropriate for several levels of learners.”

Who is the tutor?
This course is taught by Lydia Cecil. After graduating in History from the University of Edinburgh, Lydia Cecil trained at the London Atelier of Representational Art. Her work explores human nature and its representation. She has been an Artist in Residence for the New Generation Festival in Florence and for the Tiapapata Art Centre in Samoa. She has exhibited in UK, Samoa and Malta and is a contributing tutor to Raw Umber Studios.

Her work can be found on her website www.lydiacecil.co.uk or Instagram @lydiacecilartist.

“Lydia has been an excellent tutor. Her guidance on drawing has been invaluable. She’s also not afraid to push us to take risks. Definitely worth it.”

How many students will there be?

There is a maximum of 12 participants and the tutor will customise the course according to your individual needs.

You can see a materials list for this course here. If you have any questions, please see our frequently asked questions or contact us.