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Drawing for Beginners and Improvers at York Minster - Term 2
This course focuses on exploring York Minster and its treasures to create exciting works of art. A wonderful collection of artefacts in the Old Palace are also available for us to work from. This term we will be working in various mediums such as pencil, chalk and charcoal, to improve observational drawing skills, and to explore the possibilities of line, tonal value, form and composition. Experimentation will also be encouraged as we work with combining materials such as coloured pencils, paint, ink and collage in the Old Palace Studio, to create more abstract and creative figurative works based on York Minster. Exercises such as quick line sketching, continuous line drawing, and borrowing mark-making techniques from other artists will encourage creativity and visual experimentation.

Lessons will include instruction on basic techniques, exploring the work of other artists and looking at different approaches which can be taken in drawing and painting. Teaching and learning will be based on a variety of methods, and these will include short tutor presentations, discussions, and one-to-one personalised guidance.

Throughout the course, learners will practise and experiment with techniques in a supportive and friendly environment.
Prosp User 3
This course is suitable for beginners and improvers, so you do not need any previous drawing experience.

Not all areas in the Minster are easily accessible, but alternative drawing areas can be offered.
Prosp User 4
You will need to bring an A3 sketchbook or paper.

You will also need to bring along materials that are easy to transport, such as graphite pencils (for instance 2H, HB, 2B, 6B), willow charcoal, putty rubber, white chalk, charcoal pencil and masking tape.

Any further materials needed will be discussed in the sessions.

If you are claiming a Means Tested Benefit fee reduction or enrolling via social prescription, there is financial help available to help pay for the cost of your materials: click here for more information.
Prosp User 5
There is no session on Tuesday 17 February 2026 (half-term holidays).

This course takes place in the studio space at The Old Palace as well as York Minster itself. For the first session, we will meet at the Old Palace Studio.

A link to a map of the Minster and its grounds and buildings is available here.

Please note that the Minster has no parking available. There are bike racks and a number of buses that stop nearby.

Please ensure that you read and understand the health and safety guidelines on any creative product that you intend to use during the course.
Prosp User 6

In order to support keeping York moving, consider travelling to your course by bus or bike. Click here to check out the bus routes closest to the venue for this course using the iTravel website, or discover York's cycle routes by clicking here.
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Alongside gaining course-specific skills, you will develop and showcase transferable skills that boost your confidence, employability, and ability to engage in further learning or volunteering.
Alongside gaining course-specific skills, you will develop and showcase transferable skills that boost your confidence, employability, and ability to engage in further learning or volunteering.
Employers highly value these transferable skills because they equip employees to excel beyond their basic job roles.
Employers highly value these transferable skills because they equip employees to excel beyond their basic job roles.
Prosp User 8

Learners who live in devolved authorities

Learners who live in devolved authorities
York Learning receives government funding which allows us to offer courses at a lower cost. The guidelines relating to devolution means that we cannot apply this funding to learners who live in devolved areas such as the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
York Learning receives government funding which allows us to offer courses at a lower cost. The guidelines relating to devolution means that we cannot apply this funding to learners who live in devolved areas such as the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
If you live outside of this area, we recommend that, before committing to a course with York Learning, you explore options to study the course in your local area.
If you live outside of this area, we recommend that, before committing to a course with York Learning, you explore options to study the course in your local area.
If you would prefer to continue your learning with York Learning please note that the price of the course could be double the advertised cost.
If you would prefer to continue your learning with York Learning please note that the price of the course could be double the advertised cost.
In this case, please contact us on 01904 554277 to complete your enrolment.
In this case, please contact us on 01904 554277 to complete your enrolment.

Learners under the age of 19

Learners under the age of 19
Please note that Adult Education funding is for individuals who are over the age of 19 on the 31st of August prior to the start date of their course.
Please note that Adult Education funding is for individuals who are over the age of 19 on the 31st of August prior to the start date of their course.
This means that there will be an additional cost for learners who are under 19 who wish to access funded courses.
This means that there will be an additional cost for learners who are under 19 who wish to access funded courses.
For safeguarding reasons, we cannot accept learners who are under 18 on courses except by prior arrangement. This does not apply to programmes which are designed for 16-18s.
For safeguarding reasons, we cannot accept learners who are under 18 on courses except by prior arrangement. This does not apply to programmes which are designed for 16-18s.
If you are under the age of 19, please contact us on 01904 554277 before booking.
If you are under the age of 19, please contact us on 01904 554277 before booking.
AT2/QF1
13/01/2026
24/03/2026
10:30 - 12:30
Tuesday
2.00 hrs per wk
10 weeks
Rachael Burnett
155.00
£150.00 if in receipt of the State Pension; a 65% discount of the full fee is available for people in receipt of certain means-tested benefits