The course will demonstrate the range of possibilities of charcoal

In this course, I explore a wide range of drawing techniques in charcoal using photos of the landscape as source material. My approach is rooted firmly in the act of looking and drawing as a means of exploring the visible world. All drawing to my mind is very, very simple in its essence, and all it really takes is, a willingness to get your fingers a little bit dirty with charcoal.

Course Content

Through a structured 4 week program Michael provides a framework to help you get past the trepidation we all experience when facing the 'blank white paper' and show, how versatile and forgiving this medium is, so that you can progress quickly, with confidence and have a fun and enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

  • Explore a full range of possibilities of this remarkable medium

  • Identify and following a map for the composition

  • 'Drawing with light' technique

  • Get personalised feedback from Michael on your own work

Course Teaser

Course outline

This online course will take place over 4 weeks from 1st March 2025 with an online group session each week. Each week a new topic will be introduced which you will have the opportunity to research in your own time based on the materials provided. 

Weekly online live sessions with Michael will take place every Wednesday from 1pm - 2.30pm and provide an opportunity for the group to come together to share their findings and to explore the topic in more detail. The first online group session will take place on 5th March, with course introduction and onboarding taking place the week prior.

Spaces on this course will be limited and the course fee is €245.

Week 1

We begin by exploring the versatility of charcoal through a series of mark making exercises. Without the pressure of making a drawing we can play with the medium and see not just the range of direct marks we can make.

Week 2

We will spend some time looking at ways to select a photo source and set yourself up for success. We will then explore how to 'get acquainted' with your composition by making many small quick thumbnails sketches.

Week 3

In this week, I will show you how to utilise the eraser as a drawing instrument. You will learn how to use this to draw the landscape by picking out the lightest values from a dark ground.

Week 4

In the large study I will show you how to apply all the techniques in a single work. We will also show how at this point we can have fun with different types of mark making, which when viewed at a distance will form the illusion of the scene.

Course fee €245


About Michael Wann

Michael Wann is a Sligo-based charcoal artist. He has been awarded the AXA Insurance Drawing Prize (2010) and the Sean Keating Award and Silver Medal (2016) at the Royal Hibernian Academy.

In 2022 the National Gallery of Ireland acquired one of his drawings for their permanent collection. His work also is held in numerous Irish public collections including Boyle Civic Collection, Waterford Municipal Collection, Office of Public Works, Mayo County Council, Fingal County Council, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, AXA Insurance, and the Ballinglen Archive, as well as private collections in Ireland, UK, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

More about Michael

Frequently asked questions

  • What will I get by signing up to this course?

    By signing up to this course you will join a group of students and follow a structured course hosted on Big Look.

    Each week, a new topic, area of research or drawing challenge will be added to the online platform which you can follow at your own pace and submit work through assignments.

    Each week there will also be a live group session where you can get feedback from the mentor and ask any questions you may have.

  • Who is this course suitable for?

    This course is for anyone who is interested in exploring charcoal whether as a standalone medium or as a way to make tonal studies of subjects for painting. While the subject matter of this course is landscape the same techniques and 'way of looking' can be applied to any subject matter.

  • Will I be drawing during the live sessions?

    The main teaching content for this course is released week by week through pre-recorded content which you can follow at your own pace. Each week will also feature assignments which you will respond to online.

    The live online sessions then provide the opportunity for Michael to review the assignment submissions from everyone and to discuss the week's topic in more detail, including any challenges you or anyone in the group may have had.

  • Do I need to join the live sessions each week to follow this course?

    While there will be some content that you can access weekly through the platform, to get the most out of this course, participation in as many of the live sessions as possible is strongly advised, as this will be where the themes of the course are discussed and explored in depth.

  • Will there be a chat group?

    Yes! you will have the option to join a private social channel exclusive to this group where members can share work, inspiration and tips and ask each other questions at any time.

    You can install an app on your smartphone for this group to ensure that you never miss an update.

  • Will I lose access to content when the course is finished?

    We will extend access to the online materials after the course is completed for some time. However, it will no longer be possible to interact with Michael after the course is finished.

  • What technology or apps do I need to follow this course?

    You don’t need to install any app to follow this course. All content and tools are on the Big Look website which you can access using your favourite web browser (e.g. Chrome or Safari). Live sessions run inside the website also, so there is no need to install or use Zoom.

    To get most value out of this class you should use a PC or Mac laptop or desktop computer or an iPad rather than a phone – as larger screens are better for this type of content. Please ensure that your device speakers and mic work so that you can both hear the content and also ask questions on the live Wednesday sessions. You should also ensure you have a fast and stable internet connection.

  • What happens if I have a technical issue?

    Students who sign up to the course, will have the opportunity to join a test session to ensure that everything works in advance.

    There are also help resources available to students to answer the most common issues and questions. In addition, there is the facility to log a support request and get assistance from Big Look at any point.