Artem Forum | Introduction to Freehand Drawing & Painting Techniques
From 41.32 £ /h
An introductory class suited for:
• absolute beginners who want a gentle start
• hobbyists who want to improve technique without pressure
• people looking for a relaxing creative routine (stress relief)
• students curious about art but not ready for portfolio/degree focus
What we cover
• Warm-up drawing & mark-making (lines, gesture, contours)
• Observational drawing: still life, plants, interiors, simple figures
• Freehand perspective & space
• Color basics: mixing, limited palettes, mood studies (watercolor/gouache/colored pencil)
• Light & values: using tone to create volume, quick tonal sketches
• Composition & cropping: focal points, balance, rhythm
• Simple modeling & texture: collage, mixed media, small sculptural studies if wanted
• Creative prompts: exercises to spark ideas and keep the practice fresh
• Optional: photography for reference and simple digital touchups
Extra:
• Urban sketching & observational drawing
• Museum, gallery, and exhibition visits
• Visual analysis of art & traditional techniques
• Photography as reference and research
Recommendation: In-person is preferred for studio practice. Online only if in-person isn’t possible.
• absolute beginners who want a gentle start
• hobbyists who want to improve technique without pressure
• people looking for a relaxing creative routine (stress relief)
• students curious about art but not ready for portfolio/degree focus
What we cover
• Warm-up drawing & mark-making (lines, gesture, contours)
• Observational drawing: still life, plants, interiors, simple figures
• Freehand perspective & space
• Color basics: mixing, limited palettes, mood studies (watercolor/gouache/colored pencil)
• Light & values: using tone to create volume, quick tonal sketches
• Composition & cropping: focal points, balance, rhythm
• Simple modeling & texture: collage, mixed media, small sculptural studies if wanted
• Creative prompts: exercises to spark ideas and keep the practice fresh
• Optional: photography for reference and simple digital touchups
Extra:
• Urban sketching & observational drawing
• Museum, gallery, and exhibition visits
• Visual analysis of art & traditional techniques
• Photography as reference and research
Recommendation: In-person is preferred for studio practice. Online only if in-person isn’t possible.
Location
At teacher's location :
- Karl-Löwe-Gasse, Vienna, Austria
Online from Austria
About Me
I've always had a strong love for the arts, starting with dance, music, singing, and painting at the age of 3-4. At the age of 10, I enrolled in a professional art school, which opened even more creative doors for me, leading to multiple exhibitions and consistent promotions.
These early professional experiences, including participating in performing arts contests such as singing, dancing, and theatre, significantly shaped my identity and vision. They allowed me to enjoy the creative process while trying to maintain a balance between discipline and authenticity.
As an educator with an ongoing exploration of psychology and neurodiversity, I am dedicated to fostering a generalist mindset in children. I aspire to guide them on a journey of discovering their passions, refining their skills, and cultivating confidence through continuous self-improvement rather than competition.
These early professional experiences, including participating in performing arts contests such as singing, dancing, and theatre, significantly shaped my identity and vision. They allowed me to enjoy the creative process while trying to maintain a balance between discipline and authenticity.
As an educator with an ongoing exploration of psychology and neurodiversity, I am dedicated to fostering a generalist mindset in children. I aspire to guide them on a journey of discovering their passions, refining their skills, and cultivating confidence through continuous self-improvement rather than competition.
Education
2016 - 2019 - BA in Fine Arts, Painting, and Illustration with a focus on Pedagogy
2012 - Private Lessons - Classical Singing and Jazz
2011 - 2019 - BA and MA in Architecture, focusing on Interior Architecture and Monument Restoration
2007 - 2011 - Vocational School - Architecture and Industrial Design Diploma
2003 - 2006 - Private School of Arts - Modern Art and Graphics Diploma
2000 - 2012 - Professional Dance Training: Classical, Freestyle, Flamenco, Artistic Gym
2012 - Private Lessons - Classical Singing and Jazz
2011 - 2019 - BA and MA in Architecture, focusing on Interior Architecture and Monument Restoration
2007 - 2011 - Vocational School - Architecture and Industrial Design Diploma
2003 - 2006 - Private School of Arts - Modern Art and Graphics Diploma
2000 - 2012 - Professional Dance Training: Classical, Freestyle, Flamenco, Artistic Gym
Experience / Qualifications
Architectural Design, History of Art, Graphic Design, Branding, Concept Art, Digital and Traditional Illustration, Children's Book Illustration, Animation, Creative Writing, Songwriting, and Singing.
Other: Member of the Ministry of Artists
Other: Member of the Ministry of Artists
Age
Teenagers (13-17 years old)
Adults (18-64 years old)
Seniors (65+ years old)
Student level
Beginner
Intermediate
Duration
60 minutes
90 minutes
120 minutes
The class is taught in
English
French
German
Italian
Skills
Availability of a typical week
(GMT -05:00)
New York
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
00-04
04-08
08-12
12-16
16-20
20-24
Who this is for?
This course is for motivated students aiming for TU / FH / Akademie - Bachelor Degree, in Vienna.
It follows a mentorship model, providing close guidance and structured support to help students prepare for both Matura and architecture admission exams with greater clarity, efficiency, and (hopefully) reduced risk of burnout.
Format & rhythm
• Recommended rhythm: 2 individual sessions / week, each 3–4 h, primarily held in person.
• Online sessions are offered only when in-person attendance is not possible.
• Start: ideally 9–12 months before the admission date.
• First session: skills assessment drawing test + short questionnaire (preferences, favorite architects, goals). Students who present previous work skip the drawing test.
• Language: English (with translations/explanations as needed).
• Recommended age: 16+
1. Working plan — core sections
• Artistic / Representation: traditional drawing (still life, line quality, composition), shape and volume studies, color and material basics, light and values, architectural views, physical modeling and sculpture, photography for portfolio use.
• Technical / Graphic: freehand and constructed perspective, light and shadow, entourage elements, axonometric representation, plans, sections, elevations, layouting (typography, scale, measurements).
• Theory & Context: contemporary architecture history, design thinking, styles and movements, architectural language and terminology, materials and finishes, case studies.
• Digital & Professional Tools: 2D and 3D tools introduction, presentation techniques, workflow examples from real architectural projects.
• Studio Practice & Cognitive Skills: work ethics, time management, critique culture, creative flow, vision pitch and rhetoric, thinking from small to large scale
2. Portfolio building / Motivational letter + Ranking test (TU Wien)
• Portfolio strategy aligned with the student’s vision and academic criteria; project-based work with feedback; curated final portfolio pages; captions and visual storytelling;
• TU Wien - specific support including sketches for the motivation letter and ranking test preparation.
3. Interview & Jury impression
• How to present choices: storytelling (problem → idea → resolution → learning).
• Jury cares about: clarity of thinking, process visibility, curiosity, adaptability, visual literacy, attitude.
• Prepare answers for likely questions: motivations, favorite works, why architecture, what you learned from a project, how you solve problems.
4. Extras (optional)
• Urban sketching, museum visits, architecture and design events, photography walks, model making
5. Resources
• Recommended books, articles, case studies, presentations, 2D and 3D models where needed.
This course is for motivated students aiming for TU / FH / Akademie - Bachelor Degree, in Vienna.
It follows a mentorship model, providing close guidance and structured support to help students prepare for both Matura and architecture admission exams with greater clarity, efficiency, and (hopefully) reduced risk of burnout.
Format & rhythm
• Recommended rhythm: 2 individual sessions / week, each 3–4 h, primarily held in person.
• Online sessions are offered only when in-person attendance is not possible.
• Start: ideally 9–12 months before the admission date.
• First session: skills assessment drawing test + short questionnaire (preferences, favorite architects, goals). Students who present previous work skip the drawing test.
• Language: English (with translations/explanations as needed).
• Recommended age: 16+
1. Working plan — core sections
• Artistic / Representation: traditional drawing (still life, line quality, composition), shape and volume studies, color and material basics, light and values, architectural views, physical modeling and sculpture, photography for portfolio use.
• Technical / Graphic: freehand and constructed perspective, light and shadow, entourage elements, axonometric representation, plans, sections, elevations, layouting (typography, scale, measurements).
• Theory & Context: contemporary architecture history, design thinking, styles and movements, architectural language and terminology, materials and finishes, case studies.
• Digital & Professional Tools: 2D and 3D tools introduction, presentation techniques, workflow examples from real architectural projects.
• Studio Practice & Cognitive Skills: work ethics, time management, critique culture, creative flow, vision pitch and rhetoric, thinking from small to large scale
2. Portfolio building / Motivational letter + Ranking test (TU Wien)
• Portfolio strategy aligned with the student’s vision and academic criteria; project-based work with feedback; curated final portfolio pages; captions and visual storytelling;
• TU Wien - specific support including sketches for the motivation letter and ranking test preparation.
3. Interview & Jury impression
• How to present choices: storytelling (problem → idea → resolution → learning).
• Jury cares about: clarity of thinking, process visibility, curiosity, adaptability, visual literacy, attitude.
• Prepare answers for likely questions: motivations, favorite works, why architecture, what you learned from a project, how you solve problems.
4. Extras (optional)
• Urban sketching, museum visits, architecture and design events, photography walks, model making
5. Resources
• Recommended books, articles, case studies, presentations, 2D and 3D models where needed.
The program is designed for students interested in concept art, illustration, visual storytelling, and portfolio preparation for art schools, animation/game-related programs, or independent artistic development. It follows a mentorship-based approach, combining artistic foundations, conceptual thinking, and portfolio strategy, adapted to everyone's style, vision and long-term goals.
What's in it?
PART I
1. Artistic & visual language
• Traditional drawing & illustration techniques
• Shape & form study
• Light, color & values
• Composition & visual storytelling
2. World-building & visual thinking
• Environment design (natural & built spaces)
• Props, objects, and visual detail
• Character concepts (anatomy basics, silhouettes, expression)
• Style exploration (realistic, stylized, symbolic, experimental)
• References vs originality: how to build from research without imitation
3. Cognitive & creative process
• Artistic thinking & workflow
• From idea to image
• Documentation & reference gathering
• Moodboards & visual research
• Iteration, selection, refinement
• Knowing when a piece is finished
4. Digital foundations (optional / hybrid)
• Transition from traditional to digital
• 2D digital tools & workflows
• Layer logic, brushes, textures
• Digital painting fundamentals
• Presentation-ready images
• Case studies from professional concept artists & illustrators
This section is optional and may be skipped for students with prior digital experience. In such cases, the focus will be on refining and strengthening what has already been acquired.
IMPORTANT!
All sections in Part I (artistic practice, visual language, world-building, technical and digital foundations) are approached according to the student’s existing level, from beginner to advanced. If foundational skills are already present, these areas will not be repeated mechanically; instead, the focus will shift toward portfolio development, conceptual depth, and refinement of existing work.
PART II
Portfolio development & mentorship
1. Portfolio building
• Defining the student’s artistic direction
• Selecting and developing strong themes
• Creating cohesive series, not isolated images
• Aligning personal style with academic or professional expectations
• Consistent review, feedback, and refinement
2. Application-specific support (where applicable)
• Portfolio selection & sequencing
• Artist statements or motivation letters (with visuals)
• Adapting work to specific institutions or programs
• Understanding evaluation criteria
What's in it?
PART I
1. Artistic & visual language
• Traditional drawing & illustration techniques
• Shape & form study
• Light, color & values
• Composition & visual storytelling
2. World-building & visual thinking
• Environment design (natural & built spaces)
• Props, objects, and visual detail
• Character concepts (anatomy basics, silhouettes, expression)
• Style exploration (realistic, stylized, symbolic, experimental)
• References vs originality: how to build from research without imitation
3. Cognitive & creative process
• Artistic thinking & workflow
• From idea to image
• Documentation & reference gathering
• Moodboards & visual research
• Iteration, selection, refinement
• Knowing when a piece is finished
4. Digital foundations (optional / hybrid)
• Transition from traditional to digital
• 2D digital tools & workflows
• Layer logic, brushes, textures
• Digital painting fundamentals
• Presentation-ready images
• Case studies from professional concept artists & illustrators
This section is optional and may be skipped for students with prior digital experience. In such cases, the focus will be on refining and strengthening what has already been acquired.
IMPORTANT!
All sections in Part I (artistic practice, visual language, world-building, technical and digital foundations) are approached according to the student’s existing level, from beginner to advanced. If foundational skills are already present, these areas will not be repeated mechanically; instead, the focus will shift toward portfolio development, conceptual depth, and refinement of existing work.
PART II
Portfolio development & mentorship
1. Portfolio building
• Defining the student’s artistic direction
• Selecting and developing strong themes
• Creating cohesive series, not isolated images
• Aligning personal style with academic or professional expectations
• Consistent review, feedback, and refinement
2. Application-specific support (where applicable)
• Portfolio selection & sequencing
• Artist statements or motivation letters (with visuals)
• Adapting work to specific institutions or programs
• Understanding evaluation criteria
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