The Complete Online Drawing Course
Learn Fundamental Drawing Skills with Full Mentor Support
If you’ve always dreamed of learning to draw, or if you’ve been drawing for a while and know you need to master the basic fundamentals, then you’re in exactly the right place. This is the drawing course for you.
No more wasting precious time searching around the internet looking for random tutorials. No more wondering if you’re learning the right thing. This is a fully supported course with expert feedback.
One-to-one Expert Drawing Advice with Video Feedback
Just follow my proven plan and laser focussed video critiques created just for you. You’ll amaze yourself as your drawing skills rapidly grow.
Ask questions at any time. Never be left wondering if you’re improving.
All one-to-one mentoring memberships include feedback via recorded video critique.
Real student video critique example
Your 6 Step Plan to Creating Your Own Original Drawings
Step 1: Start out nice and easy…
Basic shapes and construction drawing: All the fundamentals. Master these and you’ll feel your confidence growing already. Lots of fun introductory projects like ‘Peppie the Pup’ build your skills step-by-step.
Step 2: Wow! It looks so realistic!
Shading and Form: Those skills you’ve admired in other artists for so long are now becoming your skills too. Projects like ‘The Shoe Well Travelled’ will challenge you (by this stage you’re up to the task!) Your drawing will almost ‘pop’ off the page, amazing yourself and those around you.
Step 3: Commission-worthy drawings
Portraiture: Capturing a likeness is one of the most admirable skills in art. It’s so satisfying. By the end of this section you’ll be well on your way to pencil and charcoal portraiture mastery. Some students even begin taking commissions at this point. (Yes, the portraits shown here are created by DrawPj students and they were all absolute beginners when they first started with us.)
Step 4: Look at the world in a new way
Perspective and Proportion: How can you realistically represent the three-dimensional world on a flat piece of paper? How do things we see change as they get closer, further away or turn towards us? These questions are all answered with perspective. Your eyes are now open to a whole new way of seeing and drawing.
Step 5: Fall in love with Colour
Coloured Pencil Techniques: It’s time to break out. Move beyond shading and into the wonderful world of colour. If you’ve ever wondered how professional coloured pencil artists can create artworks that are so rich, vibrant and with such painterly detail then wonder no more. You’re about to discover the secret.
Step 6: Original Art. Made by You.
Composition: Your ultimate goal. An original drawing that is completely yours. We’ll show you the way, but everything you’ve learnt so far in the course has prepared you for this moment. You’ll have all the skills to create beautiful artworks, each one as unique as you are. (Yes, again the drawings shown here are all by DrawPj students who were beginners once.)
Get started Immediately!
- Pencil
- Pencil sharpener
- Paper or sketchpad
- Plastic eraser
Note: A computer printer is also helpful if you want to print project booklets. As you travel through the course you’ll add to your supplies along the way.
Mentored Course Pricing
Flying Start
- Lifetime access to Cindy Wider’s Complete Online Drawing Course
- Up to 3 recorded video critiques from Cindy via email
- Private Facebook Group
- Single non-recurring payment
Study with Cindy Monthly
- Lifetime access to Cindy Wider’s Complete Online Drawing Course
- One-to-one feedback from Cindy via email
- Recorded Video critiques
- Signed Completion Certificate
- Private Facebook Group
- Cancel anytime
Study with Cindy Annually
- Lifetime access to Cindy Wider’s Complete Online Drawing Course
- One-to-one feedback from Cindy via email for up to 12 months
- Recorded Video critiques
- Signed Completion Certificate
- Private Facebook Group
- Single non-recurring payment
No Risk 30 day money back guarantee
Course Features Explained
One-to-One Feedback
Mentor feedback is provided via email. You may ask your mentor questions about your course at any stage.
Signed Completion Certificate
Upon completion of the course you will receive a personally signed certificate of completion from course author Cindy Wider.
Recorded Video Critiques
Feedback is provided via recorded video critique wherever appropriate. Critique videos are downloadable so you can watch them at any time.
Private Facebook Group
Join our friendly and supportive Facebook group to share your drawings and connect with fellow students
Lifetime Access
You will have non-expiring access to all your course resources. You can access your course at any time.
The Complete Course Curriculum
Want to know everything that’s in the course? Here’s the complete list.
Introduction and Orientation
Create a Pre-Instruction Drawing
The Beginner Drawing Family Facebook Group
Recommended Art Supplies
Studying with a DrawPj Mentor
Study Blocks for DrawPj Mentored Students
Construction Drawing (pencil)
Essential Skills
Halving Lines
Drawing Angles
Introduction to Scribble Gesture
Introduction to Basic Shapes
Drawing Rectangles
Drawing Triangles
Drawing Circles
Drawing Ellipses
Drawing Bell Shapes
Construction Drawing Examples
Essential Skills: Downloadable Booklets
Essential Skills Summary
Essential Skills - Projects
Peppie the Pup: Downloadable Project Booklets
Peppie the Pup – Part A: Construction Drawing
Peppie the Pup – Part B: Outline Drawing
Tallulah Ted: Downloadable Project Booklets
Tallulah Ted: Part A: Construction Drawing
Tallulah Ted: Part B: Outline Drawing
Major Project - Fred the Sausage Dog
Fred the Sausage Dog Outline Drawing
Fred the Sausage Dog Construction Drawing
Drawing 3D Solid Shapes
3D Solid Shapes – Sphere
3D Solid Shapes – Cylinder
3D Solid Shapes – Cone and Pyramid
Essential Skills - Bonus Project Booklets
Simple Man-made Objects
Marmalade the Rabbit Project
Oscar the Cat Project
Cyril the Squirrel Project
Cuddly Cat Bobby Project
Pencil Techniques - Six Pencil Techniques
Introduction and Smooth Shading Technique
Broad Stroke Technique
Chisel Point Technique
Fine Lines Technique
Cross Hatching Technique
Cross Hatching Technique
Erasing Techniques
Major Project: The Old Hay Shed
Introduction and the Graphite Transfer Method
Pencil Stroke Placement and Shadow Areas
Trees and Leaves
Background Elements
The Roof Area
Completing the Foreground
Pencil Techniques - Bonus Project Booklets
Giant Cherry Cupcake Project
Happy Campers Project
Happy Campers Project
Shining Lighthouse Project
Quiz
Bonus Section: Extra Reading
Bonus Section: Draw People and Characters
How to Draw Cute! (Part B) – live webinar recording
Draw People and Cute Characters
Draw Characters Worksheet
Practical Application of Fundamental Techniques – ‘Baking for Mummy’
Shading and Form (pencil)
Shading Techniques
Create a Value Scale
Shaded Curves
Two Smooth Shading Techniques
Gradation
Soft Edge
Hard Edge
Shading Techniques Summary
The Theory of Light and Shade
Theory of Light and Shade Booklet
Shade a Cube
Shade a Sphere
Shade a Cone
Shade a Cylinder
Theory of Light and Shade Summary
Shading - Bonus Project Booklets
Puddles the Boot Project
Frangipani Dreams Project
The Holiday Project
A Variety of Subjects
Shading - Clothing and Folds
Shaded Drawing of a Column Fold (tutorial)
Shaded Drawing of a Column Fold (speed drawing)
Major Project: Silver Kettle
Silver Kettle Tutorial
Silver Kettle Speed Drawing
Major Project: A Shoe Well Travelled
Part a: Introduction, first layer and sole stitching
Part b: Impressing technique in shoe folds
Part c: Laces and leather stitching
Part d: Rubber sole and summary
Bonus Project: The Little Urn
Shaded Drawing of the Little Urn (Tutorial)
Shaded Drawing of the Little Urn (speed drawing)
Quiz
Portraiture (pencil & charcoal)
Pencil Portraiture
Shaded Drawing of the Human Eye (intro and tutorial)
Shaded Drawing of the Human Eye (speed drawing)
Shaded Drawing of the Human Nose (tutorial)
Shaded Drawing of the Human Nose (speed drawing)
Shaded Drawing of Human Lips (tutorial)
Shaded Drawing of Human Lips (speed drawing)
Shaded Drawing of the Human Ear (tutorial)
Shaded Drawing of the Human Ear (speed drawing)
Mark the Positions of the Individual Features on a Face
Project: Isha (Child Portrait)
Portrait of Isha part a – construction drawing and outline
Portrait of Isha part b – hair
Portrait of Isha part c – face and jumper
Portrait of Isha (speed drawing)
Charcoal Portraiture - Twelve Charcoal Techniques
Art Materials Video (part 1)
Art Materials Video (part 2)
Covering Large Areas with Willow Charcoal
Covering Medium Sized Areas with Willow Charcoal
Covering Small Areas with Willow Charcoal
Drawing Fine Lines with Willow Charcoal
Drawing Fine Lines with Charcoal Pencil
Creating Gradations with Blending
Creating Soft Edges with Blending
Creating Hard Edges
Hatching Lines with Willow Charcoal and Charcoal Pencil
Lines with Variations in Widths
Erasing Techniques
White Conte and White Charcoal Techniques
Project: Long Hair
Long Hair: Step 1
Long Hair: Step 2
Long Hair: Step 3 (part a)
Long Hair: Step 3 (part b)
Long Hair: Step 4 (part a)
Long Hair: Step 4 (part b)
Project: Short Hair
Short Hair: Steps 1 and 2
Short Hair: Step 3
Short Hair: Step 4
Bonus Project: Curly Hair
Curly Hair: Steps 1,2 and 3
Curly Hair: Step 4
Curly Hair: Steps 5 and 6
Curly Hair: Step 7
Curly Hair: Step 8
Major Project: Self Portrait
Initial Guidelines
Basic Outlines
The Final Outline (part a)
The Final Outline (part b)
Shading Eyes
Shading Eyes (continued) and Forehead
Shading the Nose
Shading the Nose (continued)
Shading around the face
Drawing Lips / Shading Cheek and Neck
Shading Lips, Cheeks and Neck
Hair (part a)
Hair (part b)
Neck and Clothes
Highlights
Bonus Projects
Child Portrait of Sumaya
Quiz
Perspective and Proportion (pencil)
Perspective
Draw Wooden Floorboards
Draw a Simple Interior with Floor Tiles
Draw Simple Rectangle Shapes
Draw a Bookcase
Draw a Fence
Draw a Ellipse in One Point Perspective
Draw an Opening Door
Draw some Steps
Draw the Outline of an Interior Room
Draw a Chair in One Point Perspective
Using a Scaling Stick to Draw Objects in Proportion
Project: Draw a Simple House in 3 point Perspective
Perspective
Draw Wooden Floorboards
Draw a Simple Interior with Floor Tiles
Draw Simple Rectangle Shapes
Draw a Bookcase
Draw a Fence
Draw a Ellipse in One Point Perspective
Draw an Opening Door
Draw some Steps
Draw the Outline of an Interior Room
Draw a Chair in One Point Perspective
Using a Scaling Stick to Draw Objects in Proportion
Project: Draw a Simple House in 3 point Perspective
Bonus Project Booklets
Animal Frenzy
Major Project: House in English Countryside
Little House in the English Countryside (part a)
Little House in the English Countryside (part b)
Little House in the English Countryside (part c)
Little House in the English Countryside (part d)
Quiz
Bonus Section: Grid Method
Grid Method: Copy a Pattern (part a)
Grid Method: Copy a Pattern (part b)
Grid Method Project: Prepare your Grid (part a)
Grid Method Project: Create your Drawing (part b)
Coloured Pencil
12 Coloured Pencil Techniques
Coloured Pencil Conversion Charts
Sharp Point
Dull Point
Gradation
Blending
Scumbling
Hatching
Cross Hatching
Striking Strokes
Impressing
Pointillism
Layering
Erasing
Bonus Pencil Technique Project Booklets
My Colourful Kingdom
Secret Winter Wonderland
Country Cottage
Theory
Introduction to the Colour Wheel
The Colour Swatch
Six Colour Schemes
Seeing Colour as Tone
Project: African Daisy
Introduction
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Major Project: Apple
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
Step 10
Bonus Projects and Booklets
Luscious Strawberry Project Booklet
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7a
Step 7b
Step 8
Step 9
Quiz
Composition
Composition Principles
How I Compose Original Art: Three Stage Process
The Planning Stage: Ten Principles of Composition
Analysis of an Artwork using the Ten Principles of Composition
Composition Structures
Creating Thumbnail Sketches using Composition Structures and Principles
Art Style and Inspiration
Cindy’s Art Style: Short film (for ABC OPEN)
Artist Style Case Study: Richard Klekociuk
Botanical Gardens Art Inspiration with Richard Klekociuk
Art Style Case Study: Jandamarra Cadd
Jandamarra Cadd: Bridging the Divide with Colours and Dots (for ABC Open)
Seven Tips to Find your Art Style
Example Outline Drawing: “Waiting for the Next Meal”
Example Thumbnail Colour Planning: “Waiting for Next Meal”
Speed Drawing: “Waiting for the Next Meal”
Colour a Hard Edge Drawing
Final Project: Compose an Original Drawing
Quiz
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any drawing experience to enroll?
This is for complete beginners and anyone who feels they need fundamental drawing skills. No experience necessary.
What ages is this suitable for?
This is suitable for adults no matter what age you are. It’s never too late to learn to draw.
How long does the course take to complete?
If you study for 2 hours per week most students would take approximately 12 months to complete the entire course.
What kind of feedback can I expect?
Once you email your work to your Mentor, you will then receive either video or written feedback (depending on what is most appropriate method at the time) to let you know where you have done well and exactly how you can improve.
What if I get stuck or have a problem?
Yes, you can ask your Mentor for advice at any time during the course. Response is generally within 24 hours on weekdays.
Are there any deadlines for submitting assignments?
There are no deadlines. You can study entirely at your own pace, however, when scheduling your time please take into consideration feedback is provided only on weekdays. Allow at least 2-3 working days to receive your feedback.
Which drawings should I send to my Mentor?
You only send the exercises and projects that are core to the curriculum, as shown on the Study Blocks page.
We’ve filled the course with lots of goodies which are indicated as EXTRA or BONUS items. These are for fun practice. Feedback for EXTRA or BONUS items is only provided if your Mentor specifically requests it (for example if your Mentor thinks you need a little more practice to master a skill).
What art supplies do I need?
To get started right away with the first part of the course all you need is: a pencil, sharpener, paper or sketchpad, Plastic eraser.
A computer printer is also useful if you want to print project booklets.
As you move through the course you will need to add more items to your supplies. For a shopping list see Recommended Art Supplies.
Will my work be graded?
Grading is optional. The grading system is very simple:
A Pass will be awarded when your DrawPj Mentor has determined that your work has reached the appropriate standard. Your Mentor will work closely with you to ensure you can achieve a pass for each section.
If you choose not to have your work graded please let your Mentor know.
How do I earn a certificate?
Along the way you’ll receive printable certificates of completion for each of the six major sections, as you earn your pass.
When you’ve earned your six passes then your final certificate of completion (for the full course) will be awarded.
Your printed and hand-signed certificate will be posted to you along with a personal note from the course author Cindy Wider.
Yes, these are real ‘before’ and ‘after’ self portraits!
In fact, the ‘after’ portraits are created just half-way through the course.
