Language of Drawing

The Root of Everything

Do you...?

  • Wish you you could draw?

  • Want to remember how to draw?

  • Need to improve your skillset?

  • Seek structure and formal training?

But you...

  • Feel intimidated.

  • Doubt your skills.

  • Are frustrated with the results.

  • Believe you don’t have the talent needed.

We are happy you found us!

The art of drawing is the art of doing, not wishing to do. It is a skillset realized through continuous practice. On the other hand, there is an immediacy in the act of drawing that reflects our most intimate thoughts, emotions and states of mind.

- Mark Eanes



Together, we will work on:

  • Fundamental skills

    Techniques and strategies for successful drawing.

  • Keen observation

    Opportunity to pay close attention, to go inward and completely immerse yourself in the art of seeing.

  • Quieting the inner critic

    Drawing is a mental game as much as an observational one. Embrace your mistakes as part of the journey.

  • Focus

    In the age of distraction, drawing offers the opportunity to slow down and pay attention to the world around us.

  • Inspiration

    Through art history and many exercises, you will be set on your own path of discovery.

  • Building communities

    Join our family of artists. We keep in touch and help you find work buddies around the world.

In other words...

This course is designed for anyone who has a serious desire to draw and realize their own unique potential.

Course curriculum

Six Chapters of self-paced materials

  • 1

    Chapter 1 - The Power and Beauty of Line

    • Welcome to your course!

    • Tools and Materials

      FREE PREVIEW
    • Discussion - Why do we draw?

    • Exercise - Blind Contour

    • Lecture - Contour Line / Bridging the Gap

    • Exercise - Contour Line

    • Podcast - The Emotional Aspect of the Discipline of Drawing

    • Q&A - Chapter Overview

    • Live Q&A Session I

    • Live Q&A Session II

  • 2

    Chapter 2 - Figure/Ground Relationships + Gesture Drawing

    • Lecture - Figure/Ground Relationships (Positive/Negative Shapes)

    • Exercise - Looking at the spaces in between...

    • Exercise - Body Movement for a Larger Format Drawing

    • Exercise - Revisions, Corrections and Adjustments (Larger Format)

    • Exercise - Gesture Drawing

    • Art History - Contour & Gesture Drawing

    • Q&A - Chapter Overview

    • Live Q&A Session I

    • Live Q&A Session II

  • 3

    Chapter 3 - Measuring Proportions and Seeing Relationships

    • Lecture - The Shape of Things - Proportions & Relationships

    • Exercise - Preparation for Schematic Drawing

    • Exercise - Schematic Drawing & Measuring Proportions (organic forms)

    • Exercise -Schematic Drawing & Measuring Proportions (geometric forms)

    • Exercise - Putting it all together (Gesture, Schematic & Contour Drawing)

    • Podcast - Do I have what it takes?

    • Q&A - Chapter Overview

    • Live Q&A Session I

    • Live Q&A Session II

  • 4

    Chapter 4 - From Shape to Form & Volume

    • Lecture - Cross Contour and Planar Analysis

    • Exercise - Cross Contour Drawing

    • Lecture - Tackling Foreshortened Views

    • Exercise - Foreshortening

    • Exercise - Putting it all together + Intro to Concave/Convex Forms & Hatching

    • Art History - Cross Contour, Schematic Drawing & Planar Analysis

    • Q&A - Chapter Overview

    • Live Q&A Session I

    • Live Q&A Session II

  • 5

    Chapter 5 - Form & Volume with Light & Shadow

    • Checking in with our Emotions

    • Lecture - Light and Shadow

    • Exercise - Exploring Tonal Value

    • Exercise - Creating Tonal Value Scales

    • Demo - A few extra ways to create tone

    • Lecture - Local Value

    • Discussion - A Personal Tale of a Lightbulb Moment

    • Exercise - Describing Plane Changes with Tonal Drawing

    • Exercise - Drawing a faceted object + Expressive Drawing

    • Exercise - A structural approach to a smooth object

    • Exercise - Putting it all together / A sustained study

    • Art History - The Masters of Tone

    • Q&A - Chapter Overview

    • Live Q&A Session I

    • Live Q&A Session II

  • 6

    Chapter 6 - Composition & Design + Intro to Perspective

    • Lecture - Perspective

    • Exercises - Perspective

    • Lecture - Composition

    • Exercises - Composition

    • Lecture - Value in service of design

    • Exercises - Value and design

    • Art History - Design & Composition

    • Closing words

    • Q&A - Chapter Overview

    • Live Q&A Session I

    • Live Q&A Session II

  • 7

    A little something Extra

    • Additional demos

    • Inspirational Videos on Drawing

    • Inspirational quotes, books and other online resources

    • Bloopers

    • Community Check In Sessions Recordings

Student Reviews

5 star rating

He’s so good…......Reeeeeally good!

Jeanne LaCasse

Dear Mark & Marija, I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate all the work that goes into making your courses and how grateful I am to have thes...

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Dear Mark & Marija, I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate all the work that goes into making your courses and how grateful I am to have these available to me on an ongoing basis. It’s so helpful to be able to go back & review a video several times. I was watching the 1st 3 videos of Chapter 3 this morning upon waking, curled up in bed w/my morning coffee. And literally said out loud at one point…..”Oh he’s so good……” “Reeeeeeally good”…… The added touch of the red line to mark the axis was FAB! 😊thank you! Your teaching is so comprehensive on so many levels that it requires one to review, review, review. Anyhoo…..Thank you!!!!! Headed to Dick Blick to get some harder vine charcoal. FYI…I’m in talks with a local art league to teach oil/cold wax in the Fall & if that comes to pass, I’ll be thinking of your teaching methods & manner as I prepare for that endeavor. Best, Jeanne

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5 star rating

What a joy this course was!!

Bettina Digby

What a wonderful few months I had on this course. Mark and Marija made the journey through the course logical, smoothly paced and thoroughly enjoyable. Even...

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What a wonderful few months I had on this course. Mark and Marija made the journey through the course logical, smoothly paced and thoroughly enjoyable. Even though I was not a beginner I learnt many new things, was reminded of things I had forgotten and was jogged out of my old habits. For those wanting to learn to draw I imagine this course would be ground-breaking. For the more experienced artist it will remind you what a joy it is to draw and how essential it is to understanding your art making process, whatever your medium. And I love that I can continue to dip into the course material whenever I wish!

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5 star rating

The Real Deal

Stephanie Brown

If you want to learn to draw, the Language of Drawing with Mark Eanes is a wonderful course to help you do so. There are many drawing courses online, but so ...

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If you want to learn to draw, the Language of Drawing with Mark Eanes is a wonderful course to help you do so. There are many drawing courses online, but so many are cheesy, teaching minimal or random techniques in a haphazard way. Mark and his wife, Marija, have produced a course that is comprehensive in covering the most important and essential aspects of seeing and translating what you are seeing into representational drawings. Mark’s thirty-plus years of teaching art are apparent in his thoughtful and sensitive approach to leading the budding artist through the experience of seeing and doing. The philosophical and experiential sides of the artist’s process and the actual drawing exercises are addressed equally. The exercises are not drudgery, drawing objects that hold no interest to you, but are rather an invitation to an experience with a subject of your own choice that inspires you. If you want to truly understand what it is to be an artist, take this course. Mark is the real deal and a wise and generous instructor.

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5 star rating

This Course is, without reservation, excellent.

Lyn Bell

It is also compellingly absorbing and has given me the tools and knowledge to draw with pleasure and with confidence. I am part way through your Language ...

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It is also compellingly absorbing and has given me the tools and knowledge to draw with pleasure and with confidence. I am part way through your Language of Drawing course and am SO very pleased to have found you! Your excellent course is everything, and so much more, than I hoped for. As someone who has been ardently practising art under my own steam for nearly 50 years, I really cannot describe what a huge impact your course is making on me. The content is delivered with clarity and camaraderie; it is engaging and exciting, inspirational, challenging (but never overwhelming) and encouraging. It is also superbly presented and has clearly been compiled with great care. I feel so lucky to have the privilege of your thoughtful guidance, your vast experience and your enthusiasm. Already I can feel a change in my own confidence, my accuracy and - perhaps more importantly - I am seeing things in completely new light. It is not overstating the case when I say that I feel revitalised and empowered, that I "have permission" to keep practising, having patience and persevering. Your Language of Design is next on my agenda. I have taken a peek at the contents of the chapters and am very much looking forward to joining you for that course. Thank you so very much. Lyn (Scotland)

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5 star rating

Language of Drawing

Kathy Kitz

I love to draw and have not done as much drawing as I use to do. This course is inspiring me do many more drawings. I have a large and small sketch book tha...

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I love to draw and have not done as much drawing as I use to do. This course is inspiring me do many more drawings. I have a large and small sketch book that I'm working in. I have done many contour drawings in the past not so much of people but of my surroundings. Thank you for creating this course with all the great videos and love the Q&A's. Your teaching is clear, understandable and motivating. Your passion for drawing is contagious! Marija comments from the students perspective are helpful.

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5 star rating

Joy of Drawing

Surabhi Pandey

I was drawing the pear and the leaf with you as I was watching this video on my TV (after watching it once before) and I had so much fun! This drawing habit ...

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I was drawing the pear and the leaf with you as I was watching this video on my TV (after watching it once before) and I had so much fun! This drawing habit has become such a joy in my everyday day life, and I don’t follow the rules every time I draw (especially when out and about). I have to thank you for bringing all this knowledge and love of drawing to my life. I don’t want to let a single day pass by without drawing, even if only for 5 minutes.

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5 star rating

The Language of Drawing

Dagmar Friedman

I loved this course. I also loved the Language of Color and the Language of Design. I learned much in each course and will review and review in the months a...

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I loved this course. I also loved the Language of Color and the Language of Design. I learned much in each course and will review and review in the months and years ahead. I am inspired to work harder and more consistently. I particularly enjoyed the art history sessions, which allowed me to see great art with you as my private tutor: many thanks, Mark and Marija. Dagmar Friedman

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FAQ

  • When can I enroll?

    This course is all pre-recorded and self-paced so you can join whenever you want.

  • When does my course expire?

    Relax and take your time - this is the digital advantage. You have unlimited access to all of the content.

  • How can I ask questions in between the live sessions?

    You will find discussion rooms throughout the course where you can always ask written questions. We are constantly monitoring and providing answers.

  • What about social media?

    We created a closed Facebook group for participating artists only. The link is provided in the Welcome letter after you register. If you prefer to share on Instagram and see what other participants are doing - follow the hashtag #markeaneslodr

  • Can I share my work with other artists?

    The Language of Art COMMUNITY SPACE is the lates feature embedded into the learning platform. All artists enrolled in the Mark Eanes Academy can socialize, showcase their work or receive peer critiques. Once you enroll in the course, you will automatically be granted access to this space.

Instructor(s)

Associate Professor of Art

Mark Eanes

Mark Eanes is a painter, printmaker, photographer, curator, and educator who has spent the last fifty years as a dedicated and devoted artist. He lives and works from his studio in Benicia, California. Mark is an Associate Professor at California College of the Arts (CCA), where he has taught for thirty years. Mark has taught at numerous art institutes such as San Francisco State, CalArts, Dominican College, to name a few. Mark has shown his paintings throughout California as well as nationally and internationally. He has had solo exhibitions at the Parsons School of Design in Paris, the Triton Museum in Santa Clara, the Patricia Sweetow and Michael Dunev Galleries in San Francisco, the Fairfield Center for the Arts, Dominican College in San Rafael, the Mill Valley Arts Commission Gallery, and the Hanford Center for the Arts. Mark’s works have been included in selected exhibitions at the Applied Arts Museum in Belgrade, Serbia, the San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art’s artist gallery, the Etra Gallery in Miami, the Ruth Bachofner Gallery in Los Angeles, the Cumberland gallery in Nashville, and the San Paulo Biennale, among many others.

Assistant Instructor

Marija Eanes

Marija obtained her BA (Hons.) in the Applied Arts and Restoration of Works of Art, at the University of Arts in Belgrade, Serbia. She is the co-creator of the online courses, assists Mark with the technical aspects of teaching online, and is happy to play the role of the student and give voice to any questions you might have for Mark.

Art does not reproduce what we see; rather, it makes us see.

-Paul Klee

Language of Drawing

Immerse yourself in the practice!