Claire Carswell - Introduction to Drawing 

Claire has created a tutorial video that introduces the techniques and principles to consider when beginning to draw, as well as a time-lapse video that reveals her own drawing process. The videos were created as part of our ESRC Create and Connect project to develop online arts-based activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The activities will build upon the work of RAG and provide mental health and wellbeing support for patients who face an extended, lonely period of self-isolation. As we are unable to run in-person events and workshops due to the ongoing pandemic, the online activities will provide an introduction to a range of art forms that we hope patients will find engaging and enjoyable.

Claire is an artist, Research Fellow and registered Mental Health Nurse. Her artwork focuses on medical illustration using coloured pencils, with subject-matter centred on disease, injury and surgery. During each illustration she focuses on emphasising colour, texture, light and dark in an attempt to create a finished hyper-realistic visceral image. Her arts practice has helped ground her approach to the research she has been conducting with RAG, enabling her to draw on her own experiences whilst implementing an arts-based intervention for patients receiving haemodialysis. Claire also led a live drawing workshop on Wednesday 2nd December. 

We hope that you enjoy the tutorial and would really appreciate your feedback on our art activities by clicking the link at the bottom of the page. 

Drawing Equipment List

• Paper

• Graphite pencil

• Eraser

• Sharpener

But really you can draw with or on anything you like!