From the Foundation: Drawing Classes
A nine-month series of online drawing classes, based on 25 years of experience teaching drawing internationally on the Foundation Course in Art and Design.
Published: July 2026
Published: July 2026
From the Foundation: Drawing Classes
In September 2026, Drawing is Free will begin a new series of online classes, From the Foundation: Drawing Classes.
On this page:
From the Foundation will run over the academic year from September to May as a series of nine live online sessions. Each monthly session will be accompanied by a rich booklet of inspiration, references and instruction.
The course will finish with in an in-person exhibition in Paris in June 2027 for anyone who completed a three-month block during the year.
This course is a distillation of Chloë’s 25 years of experience teaching drawing on the Foundation Course in Art and Design internationally, and a act of care and preservation for the philosophy and practice of this course that has become increasingly inaccessible, underfunded and overlooked.
On this page:
- Introduction
- Video: Introducing From the Foundation
- What will From the Foundation offer?
- More Information: Booklet Download
-
Pictures
- How do I join the From the Foundation course?
- FAQ: Starting
- FAQ: How each month works
- FAQ: About the course content
- FAQ: Materials
- FAQ: Sharing and community
- FAQ: Signing up and paying
From the Foundation will run over the academic year from September to May as a series of nine live online sessions. Each monthly session will be accompanied by a rich booklet of inspiration, references and instruction.
The course will finish with in an in-person exhibition in Paris in June 2027 for anyone who completed a three-month block during the year.
This course is a distillation of Chloë’s 25 years of experience teaching drawing on the Foundation Course in Art and Design internationally, and a act of care and preservation for the philosophy and practice of this course that has become increasingly inaccessible, underfunded and overlooked.
Video: Introducing From the Foundation
This zoom session recorded on 28th August 2026 introduces From the Foundation and answers many questions about the course. Questions are also answered in the FAQ below.
Unfortunately there is blip about 20 mins in as two pranksters joined the chat and we had to boot them out. But it shouldn't be too disruptive!
Unfortunately there is blip about 20 mins in as two pranksters joined the chat and we had to boot them out. But it shouldn't be too disruptive!
What will From the Foundation offer?
The sessions will be organised in three ‘terms’, each with a theme:
Sessions 1 - 3 / Sept-Nov 2026/ Nature
Sessions 4 - 6 / Dec-Feb 2027 / Space
Sessions 7 - 9 / Mar-May 2027 / Body
The classes in each term are sequential and build in complexity. You can join at any time and you will have access to the archive to work from.
When you sign up, you will receive a handbook outlining the vision for From the Foundation, along with clear instruction of how the course works, and what to expect.
Each month, for nine months you will receive:
1. A booklet of in-depth instruction, reading, examples and inspiration for how to begin.
Each booklet represents a 5 hour intensive drawing class, with ideas for further practice and development. They aim show you how to construct a foundation of drawing experience and knowledge from which to fly.
2. A live workshop that revisits and extends the practice already begun from the instructional booklet. This will take place twice on the second Friday of every month, with sessions at 10 - 11.30am and 6 - 7.30pm, (Paris time, CET). The morning session will be recorded and available in the archive for you to rewatch.
3. A Padlet for sharing your work with others on the course, and encouragement to comment on everyone else’s work. Chloë will also give feedback on the drawings uploaded to the padlet every month.
4. Encouragement and guidelines for how to connect and interact with other artists taking part in the course, with the aim to make connections and community.
5. You will have the opportunity to sign up for a Portfolio Review, where the drawings you have made are discussed, edited and your personal practice is encouraged.
6. At the end of the From the Foundation course in June 2027, if you complete at least one 3-month block, you will be invited to take part in an in-person group exhbition in Paris.
Sessions 1 - 3 / Sept-Nov 2026/ Nature
Sessions 4 - 6 / Dec-Feb 2027 / Space
Sessions 7 - 9 / Mar-May 2027 / Body
The classes in each term are sequential and build in complexity. You can join at any time and you will have access to the archive to work from.
When you sign up, you will receive a handbook outlining the vision for From the Foundation, along with clear instruction of how the course works, and what to expect.
Each month, for nine months you will receive:
1. A booklet of in-depth instruction, reading, examples and inspiration for how to begin.
Each booklet represents a 5 hour intensive drawing class, with ideas for further practice and development. They aim show you how to construct a foundation of drawing experience and knowledge from which to fly.
2. A live workshop that revisits and extends the practice already begun from the instructional booklet. This will take place twice on the second Friday of every month, with sessions at 10 - 11.30am and 6 - 7.30pm, (Paris time, CET). The morning session will be recorded and available in the archive for you to rewatch.
3. A Padlet for sharing your work with others on the course, and encouragement to comment on everyone else’s work. Chloë will also give feedback on the drawings uploaded to the padlet every month.
4. Encouragement and guidelines for how to connect and interact with other artists taking part in the course, with the aim to make connections and community.
5. You will have the opportunity to sign up for a Portfolio Review, where the drawings you have made are discussed, edited and your personal practice is encouraged.
6. At the end of the From the Foundation course in June 2027, if you complete at least one 3-month block, you will be invited to take part in an in-person group exhbition in Paris.
Information Booklet
To find out more about From the Foundation, you can ︎Download the From the Foundation information booklet [PDF, 5mb]︎︎︎ or read it above.
This introduces the course, outlines what will be taught, answers questions you may have about the course and if it is right for you, and gives release dates for the nine course modules.
Pictures
How do I join the From the Foundation course?
You can sign up to the From the Foundation: Drawing Classes tier on Patreon for €25 per month (excluding VAT/Sales Tax, any currency conversion, and the Apple App Store fee).
IMPORTANT: if you pay through the Patreon Mobile App on iOS, Apple adds a 30% App Store fee to the price.
For more information, read Patreon’s help pages about iOS pricing︎︎︎.
You can avoid this additional fee by visiting Patreon on the web in your browser︎︎︎to pay.
You do not need to commit to the whole nine month course, and can change your tier at any time. People who subscribe to the whole nine months will be eligible for free portfolio review sessions.
You will also be able to buy individual months (live session and booklet) from the ︎Drawing is Free Patreon shop︎︎︎.
IMPORTANT: if you pay through the Patreon Mobile App on iOS, Apple adds a 30% App Store fee to the price.
For more information, read Patreon’s help pages about iOS pricing︎︎︎.
You can avoid this additional fee by visiting Patreon on the web in your browser︎︎︎to pay.
You do not need to commit to the whole nine month course, and can change your tier at any time. People who subscribe to the whole nine months will be eligible for free portfolio review sessions.
You will also be able to buy individual months (live session and booklet) from the ︎Drawing is Free Patreon shop︎︎︎.
Sign up at ︎Patreon︎︎︎ on the From the Foundation tier to join the course.
FAQ: Starting
When can I start?
Any time between September 2026 and May 2027. The first booklet arrives on 5 September and the first live workshop is Friday 11 September, but you're not required to do every session, and the archive is there for you to catch up with.Do I have to do the whole course?
No. But we strongly recommend committing to one block of three months. That's also what qualifies you for a portfolio review and an invitation to the exhibition.Is there a limit on numbers, or a deadline to sign up?
No.Do I need any previous drawing experience?
No. The course is designed for beginners and for people with more experience alike. Drawing is never not challenging, and never without something to teach us.Who is it for?
Anyone who wants to draw. Complete beginners, people returning after years away, and people who watched someone else do a foundation course and wished they'd had the chance.FAQ: How each month works
What do I get each month?
- A booklet on the 5th of the month, written as five hours of work.
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A live workshop on the second Friday.
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A Padlet for sharing what you make,
- Feedback from Chloë on the Padlet.
How long is the live session, and at what time?
An hour and a half, repeated twice. Currently planned for 10 - 11.30am and 6 - 7.30pm, (Paris-time, CET)Pick the one that suits your time zone, or join both if you like!
︎ Check 10am and 6pm Paris Time in your timezone on Google︎︎︎
What if I'm late, or can't make it?
Come in late; the Zoom stays open. Recordings are shared afterwards for you to watch or repeat in your own time.Will you look at my drawings?
Chloë will respond to the Padlet once a month. At the end of each three-month block there is the possibility of signing up for a portfolio reviews: help with selecting and editing your drawings, and understanding what's working and why.Can I take part in the exhibition if I only do part of the course?
Yes. Take part for three months and you'll be contacted with an invitation to the From the Foundation: Drawing Exhibition in Paris, June 2027.FAQ: About the course content
How is the course structured?
Nine months, in three themes. Nature runs September to November. Space, December to February. The body takes the final three months.What does 'space' mean?
How to draw a space that feels alive, the way you actually see and feel it. Both real spaces, like rooms, and the space held in a drawing. It’s not about technical PerspectiveWhat does 'the body' cover?
The underlying structure of a drawing. We start with your own body, then the parts usually ignored when drawing the figure — hands, feet. Then the face, then the figure, including a life drawing class. It comes last because it's the most challenging.Are the live sessions always life drawing?
No. We draw from film, photographs and moving image as well as from life.Will you help me work with, or forget, a previous drawing education?
Yes! In the video above, Chloë says:“There are a lot of casualties from art and design education; I am probably one. I made Drawing is Free to be free of that, because I wanted the joy back.
“I wanted to not feel apologetic about the things I was interested in drawing and how I wanted to draw it. There are terrible stories of people's work being criticized in ways that harm someone for a lifetime, so they never pick up a pencil again. I am passionately against that. I'll do everything, everything to help people get past that, because drawing, just like the sound of our voice, the way we dance, we should all feel free to do it.”
FAQ: Materials
Do I need anything special?
No. Everything can be bought in a hardware store. Each booklet lists what we're using, and it's always humble; a normal pencil and sugar paper will get you a long way.Can I use an iPad to draw?
Yes, but Chloë uses physical media, and exercises might not work as well for digital drawing.FAQ: Sharing and Connecting
How do I get on the Padlet?
You'll be sent a link each month. Padlet works in a browser, or as an app.You can watch Padlet’s tutorial videos︎︎︎ for an introduction to how it works.
How will we connect with each other?
You’ll be sent a questionnaire when you join. You can tell us whether to share your Instagram handle and roughly where you are, so small groups can form. Some may be close enough to meet in person.Is there somewhere other than Instagram to share work?
Padlet is where drawings are shared away from Instagram. Chloë is mostly active on Instagram, and a few people are on Bluesky.I find Patreon and Padlet confusing. Can someone help?
If you’re really struggling, ︎Email us︎︎︎ and we'll put you in touch with Kim, who works behind the scenes on digital things, and is happy to help. (But please don't ask her to fix your printer.)FAQ: Signing up and paying
How do I sign up?
Through Patreon, on a desktop/laptop computer or in a web browser. Don’t use the Patreon app on an iPhone or iPad, because Apple adds its own fee (around 30%) on top. If your mobile browser (Chrome or Safari) suggests opening the app, say no.Should I pay monthly or for the year?
Monthly. We'll remind you at the end of the nine months to unsubscribe, and the content stays available.If I pay for the year, do I keep access after nine months?
Yes. Signing up gives you access to everything, including around four years of earlier booklets and recorded workshops.What if I don't want to continue?
Unsubscribe or change your tier on Patreon at any time. You can come back later.I already subscribe. Is this instead of the monthly booklets?
It's in addition. Upgrade your tier and you keep everything you already have, including the monthly workshops and booklets.Where do I find things I've missed, on Patreon?
Under the collections tab on Patreon︎︎︎, archived as From the Foundation Drawing Classes.Help support me to create more drawing resources
If you enjoy the resources I provide, and find them valuable, I would be honoured if you’d consider supporting Drawing is Free at Patreon, where I create new drawing prompt booklets every month and run online drawing sessions for supporters.
Support Drawing is Free at ︎Patreon︎︎︎