Usher Gallery Art School
Usher Gallery Art School
Welcome to the Usher Gallery Art School - Summer programme
Ages 16+
Guided by experienced Art instructor Medina Hammad, you will learn how to effectively use a number of materials with each week centring on a different medium or theme. Each workshop can be attended as a stand alone workshop or join us for the full summer programme throughout August.
These sessions will be concentrated, but relaxed and quiet.
Sunday 24 August, 10am - 12pm: Working with pencil and charcoal - 'Using tone'
Sunday 31 August: Working with acrylic paint - 'Painting eyes'
Upcoming workshop, details:
Sunday 24 August, 10am - 12pm: Working with pencil and charcoal - 'Using tone'
Once we begin to explore drawing with line we often feel hesitant about the next obvious step - beginning to explore tone or 'shading'. Tone is crucial in relation to representation of space and three dimensional form. This session will help participants extend their range of tonal techniques and awareness of tonal range.
Participants will be invited to use graphite pencils, charcoal and erasers of different types on paper on a medium size scale. They will be required to view and handle different types of provided subject matter which meets with current CC conservation policy.
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples.
Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
Sunday 31 August: Working with acrylic paint - 'Painting eyes'
This session involves the use of this popular and flexible painting medium. Acrylic is opaque and dries fast, but it also has transparent qualities. It is ideal for quick work that can involve layering and interesting textural properties.
The theme will be the human eye. We will explore a range of techniques and approaches which can begin to help us capture one of the most extraordinary parts of our bodies.
Participants will be invited to use acrylic paint, water and brushes on paper, on a medium size scale. They will be required to view their own eyes in a mirror or if preferred to work from a provided two dimensional image.
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples.
Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
Usher Gallery Art School - Autumn monthly workshops
Ages 16+
Guided by experienced Art instructor/Artist Jane Frederick (and winner of the Usher Gallery Trust Lord Cormack award 2025), you will learn how to adopt a playful and relaxed approach to drawing from observation. Each workshop can be attended as a stand-alone workshop or join us for the full programme.
The autumn course will help you to build confidence in your use of dry drawing media including charcoal, conte crayon, graphite and chalk. Taking inspiration from artwork in the Usher Gallery collection, each session will help you to observe and interpret light and tone and encourage you to be bold and playful with your own approach to drawing, enabling you to inject your work with depth and visual impact.
These sessions will be concentrated, but relaxed and quiet.
Sunday 7 September, 10am -1pm: Energise your drawing usng charcoal
Sunday 5 October, 10am – 1pm: Understanding tone
Sunday 2 November, 10am -1pm: Seeing tone
Sunday 7 December, 10am – 1pm: Shadow play
Sunday 4 January, 10am – 1pm: Exploring texture
Sunday 1 February, 10am - 1pm: Exploring reflections
Upcoming workshop, details:
Sunday 7 September, 10am – 1pm:
Energise your drawing using charcoal: get to grips with this flexible and versatile drawing medium through a playful introduction to mark making on different paper surfaces.
In a range of short and longer drawing exercises, participants will be invited to use willow charcoal of various thicknesses and experiment with mark making. They will develop exciting ways of applying charcoal to achieve both delicacy and boldness with the medium.
They will learn how to observe and interpret the work of other artists by exploring how they have applied dry drawing media in an individual way.
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples.
Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
Sunday 5 October, 10am - 1pm:
Understanding tone: a practical introduction to drawing light and shade in a still life set up and making your own tonal scale on paper to help you 'see' and interpret light and shade.
In a range of short and longer exercises, participants will be invited to use willow charcoal of various thicknesses, conte crayon and an eraser to build atmospheric tonal drawings of selected objects in the studio.
They will learn how to directly observe and interpret subject matter in the studio and learn techniques to understand proportion and scale
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples.
Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
Sunday 2 November, 10am - 1pm:
Seeing tone: Learning to describe weight, mass and form and create the illusion of objects in a space.
In a range of short and longer drawing exercises, participants will be invited to work with a wider range of tones and achieve sensitivity in their handling of charcoal and how to use an eraser as a drawing tool.
They will learn how to observe and interpret subject matter in the studio and learn techniques to understand proportion and scale as they draw.
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples.
Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
Sunday 7 December, 10am - 1pm:
Shadow play: Understanding the behaviour and role of shadows in tonal drawing.
In a range of short and longer drawing exercises, participants will be invited to build their own folded 'paper architecture' to draw with charcoal, conte and an eraser. They will explore how to create shadows and windows of light with folded card and paper.
They will also learn useful techniques to understand proportion and scale as they draw.
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples.
Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
Sunday 4 January, 10am – 1pm:
Exploring texture: Exploring techniques for interpreting how light behaves on different surfaces.
In a range of short and longer drawing exercises, participants will be invited to study different shaped/textured objects and make a range of marks to reflect their surface qualities.
They will also study how other artists have described texture in their work and learn techniques to understand proportion and scale as they draw.
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples.
Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
Sunday 1 February, 10am-1pm:
Exploring reflections: Learning how to interpret and draw objects with shiny and reflective surfaces.
In a range of short and longer drawing exercises, participants will invited to observe how light behaves on shiny and reflective surfaces and find ways of drawing the effects using charcoal, conte crayon, chalk and an eraser.
They will also study how other artists have described reflections in their work and learn techniques to understand proportion and scale as they draw.
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples.
Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
What to expect:
This workshop is taking place in the Clore Learning room at the Usher Gallery. The Clore learning room is accessible by the entrance of the Usher. To find the Clore learning room, enter the Usher gallery by the glass extension entrance and go to the main door on the left. There are ramps and wide doors to accommodate wheelchairs, and a disabled access toilet oppositive the Clore learning room door, behind the reception desk.
This session will run from 10am till 12pm (Summer programme) and 10am till 1pm (Autumn programme).
In this event you will be invited to try different techniques and art materials.
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples. Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
Some elements of this workshop may be challenging if you have difficulty with dexterity, however our experienced instructors will be available help you. This session will be concentrated, but relaxed and quiet. We have noise cancelling head phones and fidget toys available, please feel free to request this upon your arrival or throughout the session.
Here at Lincoln Museum and Usher Gallery, we welcome all participants; if you still aren’t sure whether this workshop is accessible for you or someone you care for, please email us at lincolnmuseum@lincolnshire.gov.uk and we can discuss your access requirements
Ticket options
Usher Gallery Art School
Welcome to the Usher Gallery Art School - Summer programme
Ages 16+
Guided by experienced Art instructor Medina Hammad, you will learn how to effectively use a number of materials with each week centring on a different medium or theme. Each workshop can be attended as a stand alone workshop or join us for the full summer programme throughout August.
These sessions will be concentrated, but relaxed and quiet.
Sunday 24 August, 10am - 12pm: Working with pencil and charcoal - 'Using tone'
Sunday 31 August: Working with acrylic paint - 'Painting eyes'
Upcoming workshop, details:
Sunday 24 August, 10am - 12pm: Working with pencil and charcoal - 'Using tone'
Once we begin to explore drawing with line we often feel hesitant about the next obvious step - beginning to explore tone or 'shading'. Tone is crucial in relation to representation of space and three dimensional form. This session will help participants extend their range of tonal techniques and awareness of tonal range.
Participants will be invited to use graphite pencils, charcoal and erasers of different types on paper on a medium size scale. They will be required to view and handle different types of provided subject matter which meets with current CC conservation policy.
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples.
Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
Sunday 31 August: Working with acrylic paint - 'Painting eyes'
This session involves the use of this popular and flexible painting medium. Acrylic is opaque and dries fast, but it also has transparent qualities. It is ideal for quick work that can involve layering and interesting textural properties.
The theme will be the human eye. We will explore a range of techniques and approaches which can begin to help us capture one of the most extraordinary parts of our bodies.
Participants will be invited to use acrylic paint, water and brushes on paper, on a medium size scale. They will be required to view their own eyes in a mirror or if preferred to work from a provided two dimensional image.
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples.
Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
Usher Gallery Art School - Autumn monthly workshops
Ages 16+
Guided by experienced Art instructor/Artist Jane Frederick (and winner of the Usher Gallery Trust Lord Cormack award 2025), you will learn how to adopt a playful and relaxed approach to drawing from observation. Each workshop can be attended as a stand-alone workshop or join us for the full programme.
The autumn course will help you to build confidence in your use of dry drawing media including charcoal, conte crayon, graphite and chalk. Taking inspiration from artwork in the Usher Gallery collection, each session will help you to observe and interpret light and tone and encourage you to be bold and playful with your own approach to drawing, enabling you to inject your work with depth and visual impact.
These sessions will be concentrated, but relaxed and quiet.
Sunday 7 September, 10am -1pm: Energise your drawing usng charcoal
Sunday 5 October, 10am – 1pm: Understanding tone
Sunday 2 November, 10am -1pm: Seeing tone
Sunday 7 December, 10am – 1pm: Shadow play
Sunday 4 January, 10am – 1pm: Exploring texture
Sunday 1 February, 10am - 1pm: Exploring reflections
Upcoming workshop, details:
Sunday 7 September, 10am – 1pm:
Energise your drawing using charcoal: get to grips with this flexible and versatile drawing medium through a playful introduction to mark making on different paper surfaces.
In a range of short and longer drawing exercises, participants will be invited to use willow charcoal of various thicknesses and experiment with mark making. They will develop exciting ways of applying charcoal to achieve both delicacy and boldness with the medium.
They will learn how to observe and interpret the work of other artists by exploring how they have applied dry drawing media in an individual way.
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples.
Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
Sunday 5 October, 10am - 1pm:
Understanding tone: a practical introduction to drawing light and shade in a still life set up and making your own tonal scale on paper to help you 'see' and interpret light and shade.
In a range of short and longer exercises, participants will be invited to use willow charcoal of various thicknesses, conte crayon and an eraser to build atmospheric tonal drawings of selected objects in the studio.
They will learn how to directly observe and interpret subject matter in the studio and learn techniques to understand proportion and scale
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples.
Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
Sunday 2 November, 10am - 1pm:
Seeing tone: Learning to describe weight, mass and form and create the illusion of objects in a space.
In a range of short and longer drawing exercises, participants will be invited to work with a wider range of tones and achieve sensitivity in their handling of charcoal and how to use an eraser as a drawing tool.
They will learn how to observe and interpret subject matter in the studio and learn techniques to understand proportion and scale as they draw.
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples.
Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
Sunday 7 December, 10am - 1pm:
Shadow play: Understanding the behaviour and role of shadows in tonal drawing.
In a range of short and longer drawing exercises, participants will be invited to build their own folded 'paper architecture' to draw with charcoal, conte and an eraser. They will explore how to create shadows and windows of light with folded card and paper.
They will also learn useful techniques to understand proportion and scale as they draw.
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples.
Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
Sunday 4 January, 10am – 1pm:
Exploring texture: Exploring techniques for interpreting how light behaves on different surfaces.
In a range of short and longer drawing exercises, participants will be invited to study different shaped/textured objects and make a range of marks to reflect their surface qualities.
They will also study how other artists have described texture in their work and learn techniques to understand proportion and scale as they draw.
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples.
Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
Sunday 1 February, 10am-1pm:
Exploring reflections: Learning how to interpret and draw objects with shiny and reflective surfaces.
In a range of short and longer drawing exercises, participants will invited to observe how light behaves on shiny and reflective surfaces and find ways of drawing the effects using charcoal, conte crayon, chalk and an eraser.
They will also study how other artists have described reflections in their work and learn techniques to understand proportion and scale as they draw.
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples.
Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
What to expect:
This workshop is taking place in the Clore Learning room at the Usher Gallery. The Clore learning room is accessible by the entrance of the Usher. To find the Clore learning room, enter the Usher gallery by the glass extension entrance and go to the main door on the left. There are ramps and wide doors to accommodate wheelchairs, and a disabled access toilet oppositive the Clore learning room door, behind the reception desk.
This session will run from 10am till 12pm (Summer programme) and 10am till 1pm (Autumn programme).
In this event you will be invited to try different techniques and art materials.
The tutor will introduce the activity verbally, they will provide advice, help and guidance throughout the session. They will also provide written notes and visual examples. Participants are free to ask questions and discuss what they are doing with tutor and each other throughout the session.
Some elements of this workshop may be challenging if you have difficulty with dexterity, however our experienced instructors will be available help you. This session will be concentrated, but relaxed and quiet. We have noise cancelling head phones and fidget toys available, please feel free to request this upon your arrival or throughout the session.
Here at Lincoln Museum and Usher Gallery, we welcome all participants; if you still aren’t sure whether this workshop is accessible for you or someone you care for, please email us at lincolnmuseum@lincolnshire.gov.uk and we can discuss your access requirements
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