Foundations of Drawing – Onsite
Build essential drawing techniques while learning to draw people and objects.
Student Artwork
This class is not being offered this term. However we expect it to return very soon. Please stay up to date by signing up for the newsletter.
Foundations of Drawing
This class will be held onsite at the following location:
Cestar Collège - Syn Studio
3440 Ontario St E, Montreal, QC H1W 1P9
This course covers the most essential drawing fundamentals that every artist should know; depicting light, shadows and forms. You will also learn the basics of human proportions and anatomy through studying portraits and nude figures.
Our curriculum blends classical drawing instruction developped by old masters with modern teaching methods (e.g. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain) so that artists can see rapid improvement in their skills while developing a unique style.
This class is perfect for beginners and serves as a building-block for our other classes. Everyone can learn to draw!
- Course Type Traditional Drawing Classes
- Duration 10 weeks
-
Skill Level
Level 0 Level 0
This class is for people who have never taken art courses before, or would like to solidify the techniques they already have.
- Language English and French
Schedule
Note: This class will be offered onsite and is not recorded. Please arrive on time to your class.
Term: TBD
Class Timings: TBD
Date of first class: TBD
Duration: 10 weeks
Please note that our classes times are listed as EDT (GMT-4) but that starting on Sunday, November 2nd, 2025, all class times will go into EST (GMT-5).
This class will be held onsite at the following location:
Cestar Collège - Syn Studio
3440 Ontario St E, Montreal, QC H1W 1P9
Prerequisites
Skill requirements
This class is for beginners and those looking to refresh their drawing skills; there are no prerequisites.
Language and age requirements
You should have at least intermediate level English/French to take this class. Please be advised that there could be artistic nudity in our classes. Students should be 14 years old to enroll.
Required Materials
- 18x24 inch pad of white drawing paper: Canson, Strathmore, or Fabriano brand. NOT newsprint.
- Notebook or sketchbook for taking notes (Any brand)
- 3 sheets of Canson Mi-Teints paper, 19x25 inches, Steel Grey or Felt Grey colour
- Staedtler Mars Lumograph graphite pencils, 3 of each: 2B, HB. 1 of each: H, 2H, 4H
- Terracotta or Earth red Col-Erase pencil
- Derwent Drawing pencil in Chinese White OR Polychromos pencil in white
- White eraser (Any brand)
- Kneadable eraser: the soft grey kind (any brand)
- Pencil sharpener (Any brand)
- Clear plastic ruler: 30 cm / 12 inches or longer
- 3 or 4 clips to hold paper onto a drawing board
- Masking tape
Optional but used in most classes:
- White Bristol Vellum paper pad
- Kraft paper 3 Pages
* - List subject to change, the official material list will be sent before the beginning of the term.
Course Outline
Build a solid foundation in art by learning the theory and techniques required to draw people, objects and scenes while receiving professional feedback from your instructor.
*Please note that this outline is from the last time we held this class and we may make some updates and improvements for the coming term
Week 1
Learn about essential materials and the basic skills of drawing.
Week 2
Understand form and negative space and learn all about the proportions of the face.
Week 3
Important perspective exercises and the proportions of the human body.
Week 4
Understand light and shadow with exercises on various shading techniques.
Week 5 and 6
Learn essential principles of composition: Figure and/or portrait drawing exercise, and sketching and gesture drawing.
Week 7
Perceive form, negative space and shadow shapes.
Week 8 and 9
Analyze angles, proportions and perspective.
Week 10
Unite all the basic skills of drawing to create a harmonious finished drawing with wholeness and personality.
Questions and Assistance
Feel free to send us an email at [email protected] or give us a call at 514-998-7625
Please consult our FAQ; most of the commonly asked questions are answered in detail there. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please feel free to fill out the form below, or, send an email to [email protected]