Course Prices
Inside UK
£350.00
Outside UK
£380.00
Instalments UK & International
£350.00 in 4 instalments at £87.50 each
International students will not be supplied with a paper copy
✨ NEW FOR WINTER 2026
✏️ Sketching Certificate Course
See the world differently, one sketch at a time.
Imagine being able to capture a favourite place, a fleeting moment or something that simply catches your eye, with just a pencil and sketchbook.
Our Sketching Certificate Course will help you turn everyday observations into expressive sketches. Through enjoyable practical exercises and guidance from your personal tutor, you'll develop the skills and confidence to make sketching a rewarding part of your creative life.
👩🎨 Who is this course for?
Suitable for beginners and those with some drawing experience, this course is ideal if you want to:
- Become more confident sketching from observation
- Capture subjects quickly and spontaneously
- Develop a regular sketchbook habit
- Explore sketching as a creative activity in its own right
No previous qualifications or expensive materials are needed.
🧠 What you'll learn
The course covers:
- Observation and simplification – identifying the essential shapes and characteristics of your subject
- Line and gesture – using expressive marks to capture movement and character
- Shape, form and proportion – developing structure and accuracy
- Light, tone and texture – creating depth and suggesting different surfaces
- Sketching practice – developing confidence and using a sketchbook to explore ideas
You'll be encouraged to work directly from life wherever possible, learning to observe and interpret the world around you.
📚 What to expect
- Study from home at your own pace
- Complete the course in approximately 4–6 months, with up to two years available
- Work through five practical study units
- Receive individual feedback from your tutor
- No exams or fixed assignment deadlines
Curious how our tutor support works?
Read more about tutor-supported learning →
🧑🏫 Meet your tutor
🎓 Monika Cilmi
Monika is a practising artist and experienced tutor with a background in fine art, design and Asian art.
Her supportive approach combines practical guidance with encouragement to experiment and develop your individual style.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any drawing experience?
No. The course is suitable for beginners as well as those wishing to develop their existing skills.
How is sketching different from drawing?
Sketching is a form of drawing, often used to explore ideas, record observations or capture the essential qualities of a subject without producing a highly finished artwork.
What materials will I need?
Just a few basic drawing materials, including pencils and a sketchbook or drawing paper.
Do I have to sketch outdoors?
No. Many exercises can be completed at home, although you'll be encouraged to sketch directly from observation.
How long will the course take?
Most students should be able to complete the course in 4–6 months. You have up to two years, with no fixed assignment deadlines.
Will I receive tutor feedback?
Yes. Your personal tutor will provide individual feedback on your submitted assignments.
Can I study outside the UK?
Yes. Our courses are available worldwide, with online materials and printed course packs available.
Not sure where to begin?
If you're unsure whether the Sketching Certificate Course is right for you, our course advice guide can help.
✏️ Ready to start sketching?
Discover a new way to observe and record the world around you.
Scroll up to choose your payment method and enrol today.
Students are able to upload their artwork to the 'The Art Room' on our website. Each student is
given a unique username and password on enrolment for their own private area in
The Art Room.
Students can upload their artwork for the tutor to collect and
critique. The tutor will then upload feedback for the student to download. If
you do not have facilities to upload your artwork, you can mail your artwork to
the tutors centre and receive your artwork back with your critique.
It is essential you label all
packages/artwork with your student number.
All our courses are written to be your comprehensive guide into
each of their subject matters. We understand that students appreciate
clarification about various aspects of their work from a course tutor, whom
provide reassurance that techniques are put into practice effectively.
Each courses has its own dedicated Tutor. The tutor keeps the
course up to date and relevant to today's students. They are available to the
individual student for advice and encouragement. Students are encouraged to submit the
assignment work to the college for the tutor to critique.
The student's work will be returned together with your personal critique. The college will use the assignments submitted as the basis for your award of a certificate.
On successful completion of this course you will have studied new skills and gained knowledge for your own enjoyment and development.
This Sketching course introduces the art of sketching, encouraging you to develop your observational skills and confidence in drawing from life. Through a series of practical exercises, you will explore line, shape, form, proportion, tone and texture, learning to capture the essential qualities of your subject.
You will discover how sketching can help you record ideas, explore compositions and develop a more spontaneous approach to drawing.
The course includes:
Materials and Techniques
Sketching from Life
Line and Gesture
Shape and Form
Composition
Structure and Proportion
Light and Tone
Texture
Developing a Sketching Style
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