Engage with drawing!

Graphic representation techniques and exploratory drawing practices.

In this course, drawing is approached from a technical angle and in relation to its topicality in contemporary artistic creation. Initially, participants will work on technical aspects of illusionary perspective and the shading of simple objects. The study of these forms of representation will enable them to approach drawing “on the ground and from nature”, a way of reconnecting with the practice of drawing in the open air. Drawing will thus be conceived as a form of knowledge and recognition of the world through its practice in different places, outdoors and indoors, such as Geneva's gardens, the Museum or the Musée d'art et d'histoire de Genève. The exploration of the different drawing media (watercolor, gouache, pastel, charcoal, pencil), the use of the “reserve” and the implementation of color with drawing will provide the opportunity to produce numerous images on paper in a variety of formats. The discovery of drawings specially drawn from the reserves of the Musée d'art et d'histoire de Genève will be the subject of a presentation and discussion during a half-day session with a museum curator on the premises of the former Cabinet d'arts graphiques.

Target audience
This course is designed for anyone wishing to develop and consolidate their drawing skills, both technically and artistically, and broaden their graphic work towards more contemporary forms. Creative people, hobbyists, people working in art-related sectors who wish to enhance their skills in drawing, perspective and representation. This course enables you to explore the specific features and expressive potential of drawing, and to develop graphic experimentation in a professional or personal context.

Targeted skills 

  • Master the graphic techniques of drawing 
  • Transpose reality graphically by drawing from documents as well as “sur le motif et d'après nature”.
  • Be able to adapt one's drawing practice within the framework of a project
  • Enhanced skills in the process of formatting drawn images

Prerequisites

A desire to draw. No technical skills required. 

Course duration:4 days
Dates :
Tuesday 21 April 2026
Tuesday 28 April 2026
Tuesday 12 May 2026
Tuesday 26 May 2026

Schedule : from 9.00 am to 12.30 pm and from 1.30 pm to 5.00 pm
Fee: 1200 CHF / HEAD Alumni 900 CHF
Language: French
Course format: practical workshop
Title awarded : attestation de formation continue
Credits: equivalent to 2 ECTS
Location: HEAD Campus, Bâtiment D, Bd James-Fazy 15. 1201 Geneva
See the detailed program

Day 1: Perspective techniques
Using graphic techniques to represent simple objects freehand.
Study and practice shadow drawings.

Day 2: Drawing from nature and from the motif
Drawing media (exercises and practical work with watercolour, gouache and pastel). Drawing from the motif (outdoors) and from nature (indoors). Landscape drawings, representation of trees in connection with the exhibition at the Musée Jenisch Gardiens du silence in
2023 and with the famous Prix de Rome. Drawings done indoors, in emblematic locations such as the MAH.

Day 3: Drawing big!
Creating a very large panoramic format by assembling several viewpoints of the same outdoor space. Methods of enlarging a picture, in particular by tiling.

Day 4: Visit to the Cabinet d'arts graphiques and finalisation of projects
Half-day visit with a museum curator to the former Cabinet d'arts graphiques to discover drawings specially taken from the reserves of the Musée d'art et d'histoire de Genève.
Finalisation of the projects.

 Course led by

Pascal Berthoud
Pascal Berthoud is a Swiss artist born in Geneva. He holds a diploma from the ESBA and a postgraduate degree from the EPFL, as well as a teaching certificate.
His work is regularly shown internationally in museums, galleries, fairs and contemporary art centres. He has taken part in exhibitions and fairs specifically devoted to drawing: XXl le dessin en grand, Musée Jenisch, Switzerland; Drawing Now 7, Salon du dessin contemporain, Paris, France; Paréidolie, Salon international du dessin contemporain, Marseille, France; Galerie Gowen Contemporary, Escape Line - Drawings and Sculptures, Geneva, Switzerland; Ateliers Richelieu, DDessin, Paris, France; Galerie Magda Danysz, The Drawing Hand, Paris, France; Drawing Now 8, Salon du dessin contemporain, Paris, France; Centre d'art contemporain de Vitry-sur-Seine, Ricochet /dessins, Vitry-sur-Seine, France. Several monographs on his work have been published by Swiss publisher Infolio. Pascal Berthoud is represented by the galleries Gowen (Geneva, Switzerland), P (Ostende, Belgium), Espace A Vendre (Nice, France) and Baudoin Lebon (Paris, France).
 

Information and registration / admission
Contact: fc.head@hesge.ch 
Registration form
General terms and conditions