ACTIVE

Experimental Drawing

Would you like to take a line for a walk with experimental contour drawing? How about tapping into your creativity and becoming one with ink while drawing? Experience the art of using your whole being when you draw, and see your drawing expand beyond its current horizon.
On Campus, Weekend Workshop, Daytime
11 Apr - 12 Apr 2026
9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Registration Open
$455.00 $505.00
GST included where applicable.
  • Number of classes: 2
  • Total Course Hours: 12
  • Discipline: Drawing
  • Lecturer: Toshiko Oiyama
  • Age: 16 years and over
  • Levels: Beginner, Intermediate
  • Location: National Art School

Experimental Drawing

Course Details

There are many ways to tap into your creativity when you are drawing; Would you like to take a line for a walk with experimental contour drawing? How about becoming one with ink while drawing? Experience the art of using your whole being when you draw, and see your drawing expand beyond its current horizon.

Toshiko Oiyama leads you through guided experiments and playful exercises, from unexpected ways of holding pencils, to using the sense of touch in focused seeing, to discover the world around you afresh.  Toshiko introduces the concepts of scale, space, and composition, and helps you gain new skills and knowledge in mark-making, layering, and working with materiality. The palette is limited to monochrome with some unexpected additions, using both traditional and unconventional media and materials.

* NAS Short Courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over. The NAS Art Club is open to students from ages 15 years and over. 

* Drawing and painting short courses may be held in upstairs studios. If access to stairs is not suitable, please contact us at [email protected] 

* What to bring? Please refer to the list of required materials in the Art Materials field below. 

Art Materials

Students must supply their own art materials, please refer to the list below.

  • Hahnemuhle paper for etching: 300 gsm, 53 x 78 cm, 3 sheets of Warm White
  • Cartridge paper 110 gsm, A1 size x 10 sheets
  • 1 bottle of black drawing ink
  • 6 pencils, combination from B to 8B
  • 6 x sticks of Willow charcoal, medium thickness
  • 1 x stick of white oil pastel
  • Masking tape (25 mm thickness)
  • Wide brush (around 8 cm) or a large new kitchen sponge
  • Knife, scissors
  • Kneadable eraser and plastic eraser
  • 1 x large plastic container e.g.1 kg yoghurt or ice cream container
  • 6 x small disposable plastic food containers, approximately 8cm in diameter 4cm height, or similar
  • A half roll of paper towels
  • Apron and disposable plastic gloves, if desired
  • Enclosed footwear is essential in all studios on campus.

Lecturer Profile

NEWLOGO

Born in Japan and trained as a graphic design in the United States, Toshiko had a long design career in the States, Holland, Indonesia, Singapore and New Zealand before coming to Sydney in 2001. In Sydney she changed her direction and studied fine art, obtaining two masters degrees and a PhD from the University of New South Wales while developing her art practice. Having lived in many countries and criss-crossed the fine and applied arts fields, she has a special interest in cultural interactions in visual arts. In her own art practice, she draws inspirations equally from the outback of Australia and the ancient pilgrimage trails of Japan, science, philosophy and poetry. She exhibits regularly, and has won prizes and grants including the Tim Olsen Drawing Prize and a residency in Paris. Currently Toshiko divides her time between her art practice and teaching at the UNSW Art and Design.

🖂 toiyama@​nas.​edu.​au 

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