Confident Sketching – Part 1: Record

Confident Sketching – Part 1: Record is a hands-on workshop designed to help interior designers build essential drawing skills. This session focuses on observation and recording, teaching you how to quickly sketch spaces, shapes, and compositions with confidence. Through guided exercises, you'll learn to loosen up, embrace imperfection, and use sketching as a tool for research and exploration.

EVENT PROGRAMME

The session begins with warm-up exercises to help you loosen up and overcome any fear of sketching. You’ll then work through a series of structured activities, including still life studies, perspective exercises, and tonal sketching to develop your ability to record spaces and objects accurately and efficiently. The afternoon session focuses on applying these skills in real-world settings, with quick thumbnails, detailed studies, and a longer sketch to consolidate everything you’ve learned.

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

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Engaging exercises designed to boost confidence in sketching.
• Techniques to quickly record spaces and forms with clarity.
• Introduction to perspective, composition, and tonal studies.
• Hands-on practice in an inspiring setting with expert guidance.

WHAT YOU WILL LEAVE WITH

• A solid foundation in sketching for visual communication.
• A structured approach to observing and simplifying what you see.
• A workbook with exercises for continued development.
• Sketches that you can immediately apply to your interior design work.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• Interior designers looking to improve their sketching skills.
• Students or professionals wanting to develop hand-drawing techniques.
• Anyone interested in exploring sketching as a creative tool.
• 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

TUTOR BIOGRAPHIES

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

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.

ABOUT THE VENUE

The Victorian & Albert Museum in London is the world’s largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts, and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.7 million objects. It was founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

Digital Map https://www.vam.ac.uk/features/digitalmap

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This workshop is not a prerequisite for Part 2, but it provides a valuable foundation for those who wish to attend both sessions. To attend Part 2, which takes place on Wednesday 24th June 2026, please book here.

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 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 [email protected] 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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Host or Publisher British Institute of Interior Design