Graphite and Colour: Lines and Layers

Service Description

Join me for a relaxed 4-week course of 2-hour sessions, where we’ll explore the beautiful world of graphite and coloured pencils. Perfect for beginners and improvers - no experience needed, just curiosity! This 4-week course invites you to explore the expressive potential of graphite and coloured pencils in a relaxed, supportive environment. Whether you're completely new to drawing or looking to refresh your skills, these sessions will guide you step by step through the fundamentals of tone, shading, layering, and colour blending. We'll cover a range of inspiring exercises and simple techniques, helping you build confidence and develop your own creative style. Each week, you’ll be encouraged to enjoy the quiet focus that drawing can bring. Across four weeks, we’ll follow a step-by-step programme - helping you develop key skills with structure, guidance, and a focus on building confidence. This course takes you from a focused graphite study to a full-colour wildlife artwork, building your skills step by step. With clear guidance and structure, you’ll gain confidence in both mediums - no guesswork, just steady progress. By the end of this 4-week course, participants will: Understand the basic tools and materials used in graphite and coloured pencil drawing Gain confidence in drawing Develop shading and blending techniques to create tone, depth, and texture Explore colour layering and mixing using coloured pencils to achieve richness and subtlety. Create completed drawings from reference images Build confidence and enjoyment in the creative process, regardless of prior experience Learn tips for continuing at home All art materials are provided for each session Printed handouts and reference images are supplied to take home Each finished artwork mounted and cello-wrapped to take home ready to frame About Your Tutor: Katrina Thompson is a North Yorkshire-based artist with a background in architectural design and a lifelong passion for drawing. Known for her richly layered paintings and realistic pencil work, she blends technical skill with a love of colour, light, and expressive mark-making. Katrina has exhibited locally and teaches workshops in both graphite and coloured pencil. Feedback for Katrina Thompson: “I had such a lovely morning. I always thought I was terrible at art, but I really enjoyed this class. Katrina made it fun, relaxed, and so informative — I can’t wait for the next one!” – Workshop participant