A four-week drawing course on Bass Lake
The Art of Seeing
Realistic Drawing for Beginners
Learn to slow down, look closely and draw what you actually see.
You don't need to be “good at drawing” to learn to draw realistically. You need to learn how to look.
Over four relaxed, small-group sessions, artist Jennifer Claveau will introduce the foundations of observational drawing and show you how line, proportion, light, shadow and texture can transform a blank sheet of paper into something remarkably dimensional.
$237.30 including HST
Small group. Secure payment through the studio shop.
4 Sunday mornings • Nov. 1 – 22 • 10:00 AM–1:00 PM • Bass Lake
Drawing is a skill, not a gift
Most people who believe they cannot draw have simply never been taught how to look. Realistic drawing is a set of observable habits: measuring, comparing, noticing edges and reading light.
This course moves at a calm pace, in a small group, with all materials provided. You will leave with a finished observational drawing and a way of seeing that stays with you.
The course
Four weeks of looking
Each session builds on the last, from first contour lines to a finished, dimensional drawing.
01
Week One
Learning to See
Explore contour, shape, proportion, negative space and simple measuring techniques. Learn how artists translate a three-dimensional object onto a two-dimensional page.
02
Week Two
Light + Form
Learn how value creates dimension. Explore highlights, midtones, shadows and cast shadows and begin turning simple shapes into convincing forms.
03
Week Three
Texture + Detail
Explore techniques for drawing surfaces such as fibre, wood, fur, feathers, leaves, stone and fabric. Learn when detail matters and when suggestion is more powerful.
04
Week Four
The Finished Drawing
Bring everything together in a longer observational drawing. Choose an interesting natural or personal object and develop a finished piece using line, proportion, value, texture and composition.
Students are encouraged to bring an object they would love to draw for the final session. Interesting natural objects, old tools, textiles, shells, plants and meaningful everyday objects all make wonderful subjects.
Included
What is included
- Four instructor-led studio sessions
- Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours per session
- Small class size for individual instruction
- Drawing materials provided
- Graphite pencils
- Artist-quality drawing paper
- Erasers and drawing tools
- Demonstrations and individual guidance
- A finished observational drawing
- A relaxed studio environment overlooking Bass Lake
No previous drawing experience is necessary.
Your instructor
Draw with Jennifer Claveau
Jennifer Claveau is a Canadian environmental artist, painter and educator working from her studio at Bass Lake in Oro-Medonte.
Her teaching begins with observation. Before paint or polish, she shows students how to slow down, measure what is in front of them and trust what they actually see.
In The Art of Seeing, Jennifer works alongside a small group, offering demonstrations and individual guidance at every stage of the drawing.
Course details
- Sunday, November 1, 2026
- Sunday, November 8, 2026
- Sunday, November 15, 2026
- Sunday, November 22, 2026
- Course
- The Art of Seeing: Realistic Drawing for Beginners
- Experience
- Beginner friendly
- Format
- 4 weekly studio sessions, 3 hours each
- Dates
- Sundays, November 1 – 22, 2026
- Time
- 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location
- Box of Paints Studio, Bass Lake, Oro-Medonte
- Class size
- Small group, only 6 places
- Materials
- Included
Course fee
$210 + HST
$237.30 including HST
All four sessions and basic drawing materials included.
Ready to join us?
The Art of Seeing is kept intentionally small, with only six places, so there is time for individual instruction. Register online and your place is confirmed.
$237.30 including HST
Small group. Secure payment through the studio shop.
Questions? Email jen@boxofpaints.ca
The Art of Seeing
Four Sunday mornings. One drawing at a time.
Sundays, November 1 – 22, 202610:00 AM – 1:00 PMBox of Paints Studio, Bass Lake, Oro-Medonte
$210 + HST
$237.30 including HST
Small group. Secure payment through the studio shop.