Drawing Workshops

Professional artists provide drawing instruction for all skill levels.

VIS Studio unites experienced artists to offer comprehensive drawing instruction.

Located in Nanaimo, the Vancouver Island Sculpting Studio is a fully equipped professional art space that supports artists and fosters creativity.

Participants receive guidance from professional artists in an environment designed to inspire and support artistic expression.

We offer a variety of drawing workshops to suit different interests and skill levels.

Register now to reserve your place in the upcoming drawing workshops.

A non-refundable administration fee of $50 is required upon registration. This fee will be applied to the total cost of the workshop.

Gesture Drawing

The Language of the Figure with a life model

Portrait Drawing- Structure, Observation & The Creative Mind

Monthly starting Tuesday, September 8

followed by the first Tuesday of the month,

Tuesday’s, October 6, November 3, December 1

From 6 pm to 9 pm

People are welcome to arrive anytime between 6:30 and 1 pm to set up

Level: beginners and intermediates.

Maximum: 12 participants

Guided by Joshua Tuil

A cost drop of $42. taxes included,

registered and paid in advance for the 4 sessions, $120. + GST $126.00

Enter a space where drawing is more than just observation; it is about being present. These gesture drawing sessions help artists improve their ability to capture life, movement, rhythm, and emotion through the human figure. With a live nude model, students will explore the beauty of the living body and learn how to turn a still pose into a drawing that feels alive, full of movement, energy, weight, flow, and purpose. Instead of treating drawing as a strict technical task, this course encourages artists to see the human body as energy, flow, weight, balance, and story.

We will work together to train your eye to see the key forces in each pose, such as tension and release, compression and extension, rhythm, and asymmetry. Students will gain a better understanding of gesture, proportion, body mechanics, line design, structure, volume, shading, and movement. Through both quick sketches and longer studies, you will learn practical ways to simplify the body into clear forms and expressive shapes, helping you feel more confident in capturing the figure's living essence.

These sessions welcome both new and experienced artists who want to improve their observation skills and reconnect with the core of drawing. Whether you want to build a stronger foundation, add more life to your work, or just enjoy an inspiring artistic setting, this course provides a creative space where technique and expression develop side by side.

  Urban Sketching …Travel Sketching Workshop

Techniques and Tips for Elevated Achievement

THIS IS A 9-HOUR WORKSHOP: 3 WEEKLY SESSIONS OF 3 HOURS.

Saturday, September, 19,26 October 3

from 1 pm to 4 pm

LEVEL: BEGINNERS AND INTERMEDIATES. 

MAXIMUM: 8 STUDENTS PER CLASS

Instructor: John Hofman

Join us for an engaging Urban Sketching/Travel Sketching Workshop led by instructor John Hofman. This workshop covers the essential elements of urban sketching and offers techniques for accurately depicting urban scenery on paper. All presentations will cater to beginners and intermediates, fostering an enjoyable drawing and painting experience.

We will explore various techniques for initiating a sketch, including identifying shapes, estimating object proportions, and creating credible building perspectives without relying on rulers. Throughout the workshop sessions, we will touch on compositional principles and the editing of scenery, which will complement the topics above. To bring your drawings to life, we will examine techniques for applying tonal values and using colour effectively. Emphasis will be placed on utilizing a waterproof pen and ink in conjunction with watercolour.

Some basic materials will be provided for your use. Additionally, we will dedicate time to discussing recommendations for acquiring art materials and equipment that align with your preferences while remaining within a modest budget.

Registration fee $310. + Materials $30. + GST / Total: $357.00 tax included

TO REGISTER: Please fill out the registration form and will get back to you

Responsive Drawing and Composition

This is a 6-hour workshop: 2 weekly 3-hour sessions.

Sunday, September 20 & 27

from 1 pm - 4 pm

Level: beginners and intermediates.

MAXIMUM: 10 STUDENTS PER CLASS

Instructor: Darcy Johnson

Day 1: 

On the first day of this course, participants will work with pen and ink, graphite, and charcoal to explore personal visual language. Through guided imagery, mood suggestions, varied techniques, and tool experimentation, each participant will create unique abstract drawings. Group discussions will focus on analyzing individual imagery to identify distinctive mark making and its impact on viewers.

This course emphasizes self-discovery through playful exploration. The focus will be on the creative process rather than the final product. By constructing abstract shapes, lines, and forms, participants will generate unique compositions for group response and reflection. This approach fosters deeper insight into both individual and collective creative practices.

Day 2: 

The second day of the Responsive Drawing series serves as a continuation of Day 1 or as an independent session. Participants will explore a range of colour palettes and examine their influence on composition and mood. Each student will start with a simple abstract drawing and apply a chosen colour harmony to observe its effects. As on Day 1, group discussions will analyze the impact of composition and colour on viewer experience and interpretation.

These courses encourage participants to view both their own artwork and that of others from new perspectives. The primary objective is to expand creative toolkits, promote intentional artistic choices, and enrich the overall experience of engaging with art.

Cost : Registration fee $000.00 + Materials $00.00 + GST 

 total: $000.00 tax included

Portrait Drawing

Structure, Observation & The Creative Mind

This is a 6-hour workshop with 3-hour weekly sessions.

Sunday, October 4 & 11

from 1 pm - 4 pm

Level: beginners and intermediates.

Maximum: 10 students per class

Teacher: Joshua Tuil

Portrait Drawing: Structure, Observation, and the Creative Mind
Instructor: Joshua Tuil

Portrait drawing goes beyond simply copying a face. It is about understanding and building the human presence. In this class, students will explore portraiture through a structured yet creative approach that integrates observation, anatomy, design, and intuition. By blending clear construction techniques with imagination and emotion, artists will learn to create portraits that look believable and full of life.

We will work together to break down the head into simple, easy-to-understand shapes and relationships. Students will learn to look past individual features and see how structure, proportions, perspective, planes, and rhythm all come together to form a strong portrait. With guided exercises and step-by-step studies, we will help you simplify what you see, make better artistic choices, and approach realism with more confidence.

This course encourages artists to draw in a way that combines instinct and creativity, letting observation and feeling support each other. Students will practice balancing accuracy with expression, structure with sensitivity, and technical skills with their own interpretation. You will work on shading, edge control, form design, likeness, composition, and visual storytelling as part of making portraits.

Whether you are just starting out or are an experienced artist looking to improve your realism and personal style, these sessions provide a supportive and inspiring space for both technical growth and creative freedom. In the end, portrait drawing is not just about copying a face, but about learning to see, understand, and show the humanity within it.

Cost: Registration fee $000. + Materials $00. + GST (including kiln firing)

 total: $000.00 tax included

Caricature Drawing Workshop

Exploring Human Nature Through Caricature'

This workshop consists of two 3-hour weekly sessions, totalling 6 hours.

Sunday, November 8 & 15

from 1 pm - 4 pm

Sessions are held from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Level: Suitable for beginners and intermediate participants.

Enrollment is limited to 10 students per class.

Instructor: Joshua Tuil Biography

Caricature extends beyond simply drawing faces; it involves perceiving individuals on a deeper level. Every expression, wrinkle, posture, and smile conveys a unique narrative. In this course, you will develop observational skills to identify the distinctive qualities that define each face. Caricature encompasses not only humour and exaggeration but also empathy, intuition, and an appreciation for individuality.

Participants will learn to deconstruct facial features into basic shapes and experiment with various proportions, rhythms, and designs to create expressive caricatures. The course includes exercises in rapid sketching to capture likenesses, as well as more detailed drawings incorporating shading, volume, and colour. Instruction emphasizes balancing humour and charm, guiding you to exaggerate features while maintaining warmth and humanity in your work.

This course welcomes beginners, portrait artists, illustrators, animators, and anyone interested in exploring human character. Caricature offers an engaging approach to developing observational skills, confidence, and creativity. Participants are encouraged to move beyond perfectionism, trust their instincts, and rediscover the enjoyment of drawing. Ultimately, caricature is not intended to ridicule but to celebrate the unique qualities of each individual.

Cost: Registration fee $000. + Materials $00. + GST (including kiln firing)

 total: $000.00 tax included

 Vancouver Island Sculpting Studio: Refund and Cancellation Policies

A $50 non-refundable administrative fee is required at registration and applied to the total workshop cost.

Refund Policies:

Cancellations made seven days or more before the first class receive a full refund, less the $50 administrative fee. Cancellations less than six days before the first session are not eligible for a refund. Same-day cancellations are not eligible for a refund or rescheduling.

Workshop Cancellation Policy:

Vancouver Island Sculpting Studio may cancel or postpone workshops due to low enrolment, instructor illness, inclement weather, or other unforeseen circumstances. If a workshop is cancelled, you may transfer to another workshop or receive a full refund. Participants will be notified as soon as possible, and refunds will be issued promptly.

Clay workshop only: Missed Classes:

If you miss a class, you may book a 2-hour Studio Drop-In session with private tutoring for $75 plus GST. Schedule the session within two weeks of your missed class. Please note: The decision to allow make-up classes is at the discretion of studio management. This balances requests based on availability and scheduling constraints.