Confident Sketching Part 2: Response

Move beyond observation - use sketching to explore, brainstorm, and express ideas with confidence and creativity.

Confident Sketching – Part 2: Response builds on the techniques from Part 1 but can also stand alone for those with previous sketching experience. This session shifts the focus from recording to expressing ideas through sketching, helping designers convey mood, energy, and design intent. 

Whether you’re looking to refine your freehand skills or use sketching as part of your creative brainstorming process, this workshop will help you push your drawing beyond technical accuracy into concept-driven sketching.

This session has been updated based on past participant feedback, making it ideal for those who have attended previous Confident Sketching workshops and want to explore fresh content.

EVENT PROGRAMME

The session begins with warm-up exercises to explore different mark-making techniques, helping you loosen up and experiment with line, tone, form, and shape. You’ll then work through a series of structured activities, including perspective and composition techniques, to enhance your ability to express mood, energy, and intent in your sketches.

In the afternoon, you’ll refine your personal sketching style through speedy sketching exercises, followed by a longer, more exploratory drawing session that allows you to develop a unique and expressive approach. The day concludes with a group review to discuss and evaluate individual work.

A lesson plan, template booklet, and location guide will be provided as a handout upon registration at the event.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Exercises to explore and help understand the use of line and/or tone (form) as a suitable means to express your response to a view or idea.
• Mark making techniques to help express these various responses.
• Help with identifying quick basic compositional and perspective techniques to permit satisfying results (Negative spaces, grids, etc).

WHAT YOU WILL LEAVE WITH

• A greater understanding of the reasons you are drawing self-expression/art form/client based/ brainstorming etc.
• A deeper understanding of which techniques help you to achieve/express these responses.
• A workbook with exercises for continuing development.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• Those who attended Confident Sketching – Part 1: Record (but it’s not essential).
• Past attendees of Confident Sketching (previous version) who want to explore new content.
• Interior designers looking to use sketching more effectively in brainstorming and presentations.
• Professionals wanting to push their creative thinking through drawing.
• No prior experience is required—this is a beginner-friendly workshop!

WHAT TO BRING

• A3 hardback spiral sketchbook (or your own equivalent)

Suggested drawing materials: 

• Fine liner pens (0.1 and 0.5)
• Pencils (various weights)
• Eraser 

ABOUT THE TUTORS

LESTER BENNETT

Lester Bennett is a highly respected interior designer with a career spanning over four decades with many awards. A former President of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID), Lester has played a key role in shaping professional design standards in the UK. With a background that has focused largely on bespoke residential and residential development, but has also encompassed product, retail, commercial and industrial design, he brings a deep understanding of spatial design, perspective, and architectural sketching. His ability to simplify complex drawing techniques makes him a sought-after mentor for designers looking to improve their sketching skills.

 

CHARLES LEON

Charles Leon is an award-winning interior designer, educator, author, and Past President of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID), with over 30 years of experience in the industry. As the founder of Leon Black Design, Charles has worked on high-profile projects ranging from luxury hotels to high-end residential interiors. He is a passionate advocate for creative thinking through drawing, frequently lecturing on design, creativity, and visual communication. His expertise in freehand sketching and conceptual development makes him an engaging and insightful tutor, helping designers build confidence in their hand-drawn ideas. Charles has published various sketch journals which you can view and purchase through his website: www.charlesleon.uk/book here.

ABOUT THE VENUE

The Wallace Collection is an internationally outstanding collection which contains unsurpassed masterpieces of paintings, sculpture, furniture, arms and armour and porcelain.

Built over the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by the Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, it is one of the finest and most celebrated collections in the world.

So that it could be kept together and enjoyed by generations of visitors, the collection was given to the British Nation in 1897. It was an astonishing bequest and one of the greatest gifts of art works ever to be transferred into public ownership.

www.wallacecollection.org 

Additional Information

This workshop is ideal as a follow-up to Part 1 but can also stand alone for those with prior sketching experience.

Limited spaces available, book early to secure your place!

If this event is fully booked, please join the waiting list. If you are no longer able to attend, please inform the office so that we can give your spot to someone else.

The advertised price does not include VAT and lunch is not included. 

This event is in-person and is equivalent to 6 hours of structured CPD

BIID member rate is open to Registered Interior Designers, Associate members, Provisional Associate members, Student members, Affiliate members, Retired members, Dual International members, and Registered Design Practice employees. Go to the BIID Member Area to secure your promo code to add at the Eventbrite Checkout. This is a member benefit, please do not share the code with non-members. 

If you have any queries, please email the office at info@biid.org.uk or call 020 7628 0255.

By booking a ticket to this event you are agreeing to the BIID event terms and conditions

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