Course objective

This course is concerned with pushing materials and allowing processes to play a dominant role in the outcome of the work. It is particularly suited to anyone interested in semi- abstract, abstract or expressionist work.

Though distinctively concerned with drawing, it will move to push participants into painterly approaches to drawing. The ultimate goal of the course is to support artists wishing to push boundaries and take risks within their drawing practice. It is also suitable for those who have no experience but are curious and interested in playful approaches to drawing and mark making.

What you will get from this course

Through a structured 4 week program built around the fundamentals of texture, line, shape, value, space and scale, you will have the opportunity to expand your drawing practice within a group context,

  • Push the boundaries of your drawing through challenging and expansive drawing exercises

  • Gain confidence in approaching drawing as a playful , multi functional tool in the studio

  • Develop a series of cohesive drawings to feed further work or to stand on their own as finished pieces

Course fee €190


Course outline

This online course will take place over 4 weeks 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 Julie 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 10th April, with course introduction and onboarding taking place the week prior.

Spaces on this course will be limited and the course fee is €190.

Week 1

We will use references from your environment to explore texture and repeated mark, using a variety of media including ink, acrylic, pencil, charcoal , pen, marker.

Week 2

Using landscape as a subject, we will explore line and shape to create quick visual descriptions of our reference material.

Week 3

Taking an organic subject like a flower we will explore values and the use of non-traditional drawing tools in a series of exercises in giving up control, allowing the materials to play a strong role in the outcome of the work.

Week 4

We will use still life arrangements to play with surface, space and scale, through exercises that promote spontaneous, intuitive drawings where taking risks and being curious is the main goal.

Course fee €190


About Julie Cusack

Julie studied Visual Education at Waterford Institute of Technology and subsequently earned a diploma in Painting from Galway Mayo Institute of Technology. She has been practicing and teaching drawing and painting for 15 years in a wide variety of contexts.

She has exhibited extensively within Ireland and abroad including the RHA, Eigse Carlow and The Irish Cultural Centre in London. Her work is represented in the OPW State collection as well as well as many private collections including Druids Glen gold resort and The Marylebone Hotel, London.

More about Julie

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 suited to all artists with an existing drawing practice, who are curious and looking to find ways to loosen up and bring risk into their process and push the boundaries of their drawing to the limits of where drawing and painting meet.

  • Will I be drawing and painting 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 Julie 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 Julie 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.