SSA Week 1 | Drawing with Color and Story: Medieval Miniatures

This week-long course is part of our annual Spring Sacred Arts (SSA) Program, beginning on Sunday, May 3rd and ending on Saturday, May 9th. Class takes place Monday morning through Friday morning, with additional programming on Sunday and Saturday.

In this course, we will learn to draw miniatures from medieval manuscripts. Whether real animals in a bestiary, mythical creatures in travelogues, scenes of battle and industry in histories, or images of Christ and the saints in prayer and Scripture books, there is a myriad of subjects to explore in this expressive and dynamic style. We will first learn how to break down subjects into simple shapes to then draw on the details. Then we will draw our scenes onto the paper (or feel free to copy and transfer an existing image) and fill in our drawings with vibrant color. Colored pencils aren’t just for kids! We will learn how to shade and highlight and bring out the best of this relaxing medium. No drawing experience necessary!

What creative modalities are used in this course?

In this course you will learn how to draw in the medieval style and demonstrate techniques for laying blocks of color, shading, and highlighting with colored pencils.

What will class time be like?

Guided instruction and independent drawing time will be provided as you learn to develop your image in stages by breaking it down into subjects, developing your composition, sketching and coloring.

Will I need to work outside of class?

You may choose to work on your projects outside of class hours but it is not necessary.

Do I need experience to take this class?

This class welcomes beginner and advanced drawers alike.

What do I need to bring to class?

No additional materials necessary.