Course - Drawing as a tool - TBBY6320
Drawing as a tool
New from the academic year 2026/2027
About
About the course
Course content
Drawing is a practical working tool - for understanding a structure, describing a process, communicating a solution on site, or documenting what one sees. For craftspeople working in building conservation and restoration, the ability to draw quickly and accurately is a professional advantage, not an artistic ambition. Many adults nonetheless feel that they "can't draw", often because drawing is confused with art. This course approaches drawing as a craft tool, and provides a practical introduction to methods and forms that are directly relevant to work on historic buildings and built environments.
In addition to a general introduction to various drawing techniques, the course will focus on drawing as a tool connected to traditional craft practice, recording, and work on historic buildings and built environments. Students are challenged to identify relevant issues from their own field where drawing can serve as a tool for thinking, problem-solving or communicating complex information.
The course is organised around broad experimentation and interdisciplinary discussion of the drawings being worked on. Students are introduced to a range of drawing methods and tools that provide training in thinking and communicating visually. Through digital lectures, assignments, supervision and in-person sessions, students will develop a basic competence in perception and drawing, and gain a better understanding of how different drawing techniques can be applied in their own craft practice.
Learning outcome
The course provides introductions to various drawing techniques and media through teaching, individual assignments and supervision. The work will be predominantly analogue, but the course also covers digital processing of drawn material.
Knowledge
The student has:
- A basic understanding of drawing as a tool for exploration, communication, learning and documentation, and a broader understanding of the range of drawing as a discipline.
- An understanding of basic concepts in drawing, and familiarity with the various means that can be used to communicate through drawing.
- Basic knowledge of drawing techniques and media.
- Knowledge of analogue drawing methods, and familiarity with how drawn material can be processed digitally.
Skills
The student can:
- Communicate varied ideas and concepts through drawing in a clear and convincing manner.
- Use drawing as a tool to communicate complex ideas and concepts from their own field.
General competence
Students will acquire a higher level of competence in drawing, and over time become more comfortable and capable in using drawing as a tool to describe, explore and communicate.
Learning methods and activities
Teaching consists of digital lectures, home assignments with supervision and feedback, and three in-person seminars.
Assessment
The course is assessed by portfolio, submitted at the end of the semester. The portfolio consists of all assignments completed during the semester. Assignments are given continuously throughout the semester, accompanied by lectures and supervision sessions.
The assignments require exploration through drawing, as well as reflective writing and the compilation of the material into a single submission.
Compulsory assignments
- Obligatory sessions
Further on evaluation
Attendance at all in-person seminars is compulsory.
All sub-assignments must be included in the portfolio. Submitted material will also be assessed on legibility, and on the student's ability to compile a composite body of drawings, text and, where relevant, photographs into a coherent and communicative whole.
Specific instructions on format, technique and methodology will be given at the start of the semester. Failure to submit all or part of the assignment set will automatically result in a fail.
In the event of valid absence or a failed portfolio, the student may register for a deferred examination. In the event of a fail at the ordinary assessment, the student must submit a revised or reworked portfolio in accordance with the examiner's feedback.
The deferred examination is normally held in the next examination period.
Recommended previous knowledge
Experience with and interest in drawing is an advantage, but not a requirement. Experience with tools for digital image processing is also useful, but the necessary training will be provided during the course.
Required previous knowledge
Applicants must have general university admission certification and a relevant craft or journeyman's certificate, or equivalent competence. Applicants without general university admission certification may apply on the basis of prior learning and work experience.
Course materials
Students must have their own drawing equipment and access to a computer capable of running software suitable for image processing and visual presentation, such as GIMP or Adobe Photoshop. Drawing equipment includes:
- A3 drawing paper of good quality (120 g/m² or heavier)
- Sketchbooks or drawing books with good paper quality (120 g/m²)
- Pencils of various hardness (2H, HB, 2B, 4B)
- Mechanical pencil (0.5 mm or 0.7 mm)
- Compass and rulers
Subject areas
- Architectural Design, Form and Colour Stuidies