Drawing Group

Join us as we explore the many ins and outs of drawing, from materials to landscape, form modeling and other topics. You’re sure to find something you’ll be interested in and enjoy the companionship of other artists. Improve your drawing skills, learn new mediums and new approaches to drawing. 

There are two lists: Zoom and In-person. To get on either or both drawing email lists, please send a request through our contact us page and choose the category Drawing Group. Specify which list you want to be on.

You can attend both Zoom and/or In-person groups if interested. The groups are studying different topics at the moment. The group is free and non-members can also attend.

Once you are on the Drawing Group email list, you will receive info on the topics, as well as a link to the Zoom meeting the day before the class via email.

Emails are sent after class with reference materials and links to resources.

Taught/led by Helen Harrison

Please see the Calendar for the schedule.

In-Person Group meets 10am-12pm. Location varies, so check the calendar. If you are new and not on the email list yet, please check the calendar prior to showing up.

The online group meets 10am-12pm on Zoom. You must be on the Zoom email list to get the link to the meeting.

Suggested materials:

  • Artist Quality GRAPHITE pencils: 5 different hardnesses (minimum) 4H, 2H, HB, 2B, 4B (Brands I like: Tomboy, Derwent, Faber-Castell, Staedtler Mars Lumograph, or Prismacolor turquoise-the color of the case, NOT the lead color) Remember: graphite pencils. NOT colored pencils or charcoal pencils. Be sure if you buy a set that there are two harder pencils (2H 4H, etc.) Some sets have no hard pencils for some reason.
  • kneaded eraser
  • white Plastic Eraser or “Vanish” eraser
  • Pink Pearl Eraser
  • Sandpaper pad
  • 2-5 sticks willow or vine charcoal, medium or soft
  • 2 sticks compressed charcoal-medium or soft
  • 2 Blending stomps/tortillions (some use separate stomps for different mediums)
  • 1 small to medium chamois (blending charcoal and pencil and erasing charcoal)
  • Drawing Paper: Medium quality drawing paper pad 18 x 24 Jerry’s Artarama has pads, Guiry’s has a number of options. Michaels probably has something that will work as wellDon’t bother with newsprint, even if it’s cheap. It will yellow very quickly.

Optional materials:

  • paper towel
  • Drawing board around18 x 24 inches or a piece of foam core board about the same size
  • 2 large bulldog clips or binder clips
  • Gridded 18 inch clear plastic ruler
  • Clean brushes for clearing eraser crumbs (a small one, about 1/16 to 1/8 inch at the top of the ferrule (the metal piece that holds the hairs together), and one 3/8 to 5/8 inches long) Don’t use brushes you are using for painting. You need clean brushes.
  • Long Point Sharpener (KUM or Blackwing) or exacto knife so you can hand-sharpen.
  • Table easel if possible. Michaels often has sales and you can get one for around $10…$20 if not on sale

Suggested materials:

  • Artist Quality GRAPHITE pencils: 5 different hardnesses (minimum) 4H, 2H, HB, 2B, 4B (Brands I like: Tomboy, Derwent, Faber-Castell, Staedtler Mars Lumograph, or Prismacolor turquoise-the color of the case, NOT the lead color) Remember: graphite pencils. NOT colored pencils or charcoal pencils. Be sure if you buy a set that there are two harder pencils (2H 4H, etc.) Some sets have no hard pencils for some reason.
  • kneaded eraser
  • white Plastic Eraser or “Vanish” eraser
  • Pink Pearl Eraser
  • Sandpaper pad
  • 2-5 sticks willow or vine charcoal, medium or soft
  • 2 sticks compressed charcoal-medium or soft
  • 2 Blending stomps/tortillions (some use separate stomps for different mediums)
  • 1 small to medium chamois (blending charcoal and pencil and erasing charcoal)
  • Drawing Paper: Medium quality drawing paper pad 18 x 24 Jerry’s Artarama has pads, Guiry’s has a number of options. Michaels probably has something that will work as wellDon’t bother with newsprint, even if it’s cheap. It will yellow very quickly.
  • Hard surface to draw on such as gator board.