Iain Richardson

I'm based in Delft, the Netherlands (Johannes Vermeer's home town), but I come from Scotland originally.  

What were you doing before joining the ODDY? 

I'm in the computing business. I have always drawn but (like many others) I spent a lot more of my time drawing during the COVID lockdowns and drawing has become something of an obsession in the last few years!  

What appealed to you about the course? 

I took one Royal Drawing School course last year. I thought the course and the teaching was great and it really changed my approach to drawing. I decided that a year's intensive drawing, with the all-important critical feedback from the tutors, would be a great opportunity for me.  

Which courses did you most enjoy or learn most from? 

To be honest I've enjoyed all of the courses. Some of them are helping me to develop what I already do (e.g. drawing the figure, drawing from paintings), others are really challenging me (such as drawing from narratives, storytelling, etc). What I like most is when my drawings surprise me, as if somebody else had created them. My drawing has definitely changed and I'm fascinated to see where the course will lead me.  

Is there anything that surprised you about the course? 

I hadn't expected that the support of other course participants would make such a difference. It's a very encouraging and friendly environment. Even though we haven't met in person, I feel I get a lot of support from the other students on the course.  

What are the benefits of learning online? 

For me, it's the only way I could fit such an intensive course into my weekly schedule. The students are dotted around Europe and further afield, which gives a great mix of perspectives on drawing and art. I feel the Royal Drawing School makes very good use of online tools such as Zoom and Padlet. It's great to see the portfolio of everyone's work developing, as everyone posts their drawings onto the Padlet site.  

How has the School supported you (financially / educationally / artistically etc.) 

The support team are great - any issues or challenges are quickly sorted out. I feel that the tutors are very committed to helping each of us to get the most that we can out of this year. 

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about applying to the ODDY? 

Do it! You have to prepare a portfolio of work for the application. I started this well ahead of the application deadline and I sought advice on the pieces to choose, from a few people whose opinions I trust. 

Do you have any plans for after you've completed the course? 

Absolutely, I just have no idea what they are yet! Ask me again in December...  

Follow: @iainrichardsonart

Find out more about the Online Drawing Development Year