Drawing with Confidence: Start Here
Image by shraga kopstein
Drawing with Confidence is a free online art course. Develop your drawing skills through playful exercises and thoughtful experimentation. Overcome barriers to self-expression and embrace the joy of mark making.
Welcome to Drawing with Confidence
Drawing has the power to transform how you see the world. Once you develop a drawing practice and put pencil to paper more often, you’ll begin to notice details you never saw before—the way the light catches the edge of a coffee cup, the complex shapes that make up a human hand, and the subtle variations of the shades of green in a forest. This heightened awareness is one of the greatest gifts of learning to draw.
Welcome to a journey I’ve lovingly created for you. Through playful exercises and thoughtful experimentation, you’ll develop foundational drawingvskills while embracing the pure joy of making marks on paper. No matter your experience level, this course creates a path toward finding your unique artistic voice.
What to Expect
Throughout the nine parts, you’ll explore fundamental drawing techniques, develop observational skills that transform how you see the world, and break through blocks that may have inhibited your artistic expression in the past.
Each lesson builds logically upon the skills developed in previous sections, though you’re always welcome to work through them in any order that speaks to you. By the end of this course, you’ll have improved your drawing abilities and connected more deeply to the visual world around you and your creative voice.
In addition to technical drawing skills, you’ll develop:
Experience taking creative risks, learning from mistakes, and embracing the joy of drawing
The ability to express your ideas authentically and confidently through consistent practice, experimentation, and reflection
Heightened awareness of visual details in everyday life
A connection to a wide tradition of artists from the past and present
Tools to replace perfectionism with playfulness and constructive self-assessment
A regular drawing practice that fits into your routine
About Francesca Sciandra, your course tutor
I’m a UK-based visual artist specialising in painting and experiential art. I draw inspiration from nature, dreams, and emotional landscapes. My artistic journey began in my teenage years with a foundational studio art class, which ignited a passion that has only intensified over time. I studied drawing at The Cooper Union and Parson The School of Design in New York City while completing degree programs in Architecture and Graphic Design. I have taught drawing courses for all ages, from children to high school students and adults. From 2019 to 2024, I facilitated creative circles for The Artist’s Way, supporting the creative recovery and growth of artists and creative spirits.
I’m so excited to have you on this journey with me. To stay in touch, connect with me on Instagram: @francescasciandra. Sign-up to my newsletter to receive updates and course announcements.
Confidence Boost
Throughout this course, be on the lookout for insights to help you overcome the waves of self-doubt faced by many artists. I’ll provide tools to help you move past perfectionism, overcome creative hesitation, and develop a healthier relationship with your artistic practice. Think of me as your personal cheerleader, giving you practical wisdom to help you maintain momentum when technical challenges or self-criticism threaten to slow your progress.
Image by Sélina Farzaei
Recommended Materials
Don’t worry about having the ‘perfect’ materials. It’s more important to start drawing than to have the most expensive supplies. As you progress, you’ll develop preferences for particular tools. Here are a few supplies that will be useful to have on hand:
Sketchbook (A4 / 8.5 x 11 in or larger)
Drawing paper (different weights and textures)
Drawing pencils (2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
Pencil sharpener
Eraser (kneaded and vinyl)
Soft charcoal sticks, soft pastels, Conté sticks, or oil pastels
Coloured pencils or crayons (basic set of 12)
Fine-tip black marker
Optional but recommended: drawing board, artist’s tape
Some Tips to Help You
Here are a few suggestions to help you get the most out of this course:
Be patient with yourself: Learning to draw is a gradual process. Progress may not always be visible daily, but you’ll see remarkable changes over weeks and months.
Be consistent: Regular drawing practice, even in short sessions, is more effective than occasional marathon sessions.
Be willing to experiment: Some of the most important learning happens when you try new approaches or make ‘mistakes’.
Be reflective: As you progress through the course, consider what’s working, what’s challenging, and how your relationship with drawing is evolving.
Exploration Activity
Visit your local art supply store and explore the drawing materials. Browse the paper section and notice the different textures, from smooth Bristol to toothy charcoal paper. Pick up various pencils, noting the difference between a 6B and a 2H (Hint: 6B is soft lead, and 2H is hard). Test markers, pencils, and ink pens if possible. Observe and imagine how materials interact, how graphite glides across smooth paper but catches on textured sheets, and how ink bleeds differently depending on the paper’s weight.
If you don’t have an art supply store nearby, look for the stationery section in your local department or grocery store. I often visit my local shops to pick up reasonably priced art supplies like markers, crayons, and sketchpads.
Don’t feel pressured to make any big purchases. Handle the materials, read labels, and ask store employees questions. This sensory exploration will help you develop an intuitive understanding of drawing media and surfaces, forming the foundation for your artistic journey as you discover which materials naturally call to your creative voice.
Drawing with Confidence
