Drawing Fundamentals Certificate Program

interlochen online drawing fundamentals certificate program

Next session begins Jan. 12

Tuition Rate: $799

Rates increase Jan. 1

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FAQs

Strengthen your artistic eye and learn the building blocks of drawing to achieve your creative vision. This online certificate program provides critical training in producing accurate, realistic drawings that convey emotion, depth, and meaningful artistic choices. 

Taught by a world-class faculty of artists and educators, our Drawing Fundamentals certificate program offers a unique opportunity to deepen your craft, earn a valuable credential, and receive credit from Interlochen. This program is designed for both adults and teens and consists of three four-week courses that must be taken in sequential order:

Drawing Basics

✔Set up a drawing space with suitable lighting, positioning, and drawing materials
✔Create a wide variety of marks and effects using pencils and erasers
✔Apply the principles of one, two, and three-point perspective drawing
✔Use rulers and guidelines to produce accurate and convincing perspective drawings
✔Create drawings that tell stories and make meaningful artistic choices

Introduction to Figure Drawing

✔Capture the dynamic movement of the human figure through gesture drawing
✔Accurately depict the structure and proportions of the human body
✔Develop a keen eye for detail to enhance the accuracy and realism of your drawings
✔Use rendering techniques to infuse depth, texture, and mood into your drawings to strengthen their emotional impact and visual appeal

Introduction to Portrait Drawing

✔Identify techniques and compositional choices used by renowned portrait artists
✔Complete a basic block-in or sketch of complex shapes
✔Find angles while observing the human face
✔Use two forms of measuring to check your drawing’s accuracy
✔Properly find the edges and contours of shadow shapes within a form
✔Make decisions about what information on the page is worth keeping and what should be erased
✔Draw portraits based on photographs and reference models
Courses

Tuition

$ 897   $799

Ages

Teens: Grades 6-12

Adult Learners: Ages 18+

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Expert guidance
Receive direct, personalized feedback from a professional artist.
Collaborate
Work with your instructor and peers through messaging or optional real-time weekly classes.
Learn on your own schedule
Explore meaningful instruction in about five hours a week per course.
Real growth
Develop skills and projects that are important to your artistic and professional growth.
For all students:

✔ A respected credential from Interlochen Online
✔ Physical and shareable digital certificate upon completion
✔ A portfolio of completed, polished projects
✔ A strengthened résumé, college application, or LinkedIn profile

For middle school and high school students:

✔ An official transcript awarding high school credit
✔ Accreditation by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)

No, course sections are designed for their respective age groups, either for adults (students 18 and older) or young people (students under 18).

Yes, there are eight sessions of courses per year. View the academic calendar for more session dates.

Meet the Faculty

Our faculty of accomplished visual artists bring a wealth of expertise and passion to guide aspiring artists on the journey of creativity and self-discovery. With our faculty’s mentorship, students unlock their potential and refine their craft in a dynamic environment, resulting in polished creative works.

Conor Fagan

Conor Fagan

Instructor of Visual Arts

Alec Zemper

Alec Zemper

Instructor of Drawing & Painting

Questions? Speak with an Advisor.

Email: online@interlochen.org 

Phone: 231.276.5990 

You can also schedule an appointment.

Sharpen Your Artistic Skills

Get access to How to Fine-Tune Your Perspective Drawings, an exclusive guide developed by Interlochen Online faculty.

A hand drawing a building with a pencil