All About Drawing

A free four week project with inspirational artist Jo McCormick, a JAM and Romney Marsh Community Hub collaboration, welcoming all abilities.

Participants were introduced to graphite, charcoal and pastel, having fun with a range of exercises and techniques. They learned different drawing methods and materials, and the meaning of terms including blending, lifting out, burnishing and grazing. JAM supplied all materials, including an A5 sketchbook and pencils.

The four weeks

Week 1. Graphite pencils. A variety of techniques for drawing through mark making: scribbling, blending, lifting out and burnishing, blind contour drawing, instant poetry and cubism.

Week 2. Charcoal and pastel. The different types of charcoal and pastel and how to use them, drawing inspiration from favourite objects in a still life arrangement.

Weeks 3 and 4. Free expression and guided learning. Jo helped each participant create a piece of work in a medium of their choice, for exhibition at the end of the course.

About Jo McCormick

Jo has more than thirty years of teaching experience, including Westminster Arts, Adult Learning Lewisham, Kew Gardens and The National Trust. Her teaching style is gentle, enthusiastic and inclusive, and she guides people to tap into their creativity through hands on practical exercises. Jo believes in the power of art to lift spirits and nurture wellbeing.

Fifteen places were available. The finished works were shown at the Romney Marsh Community Hub and then transferred to the Marsh Academy Leisure Centre.