Short Courses
September 2026 ︎︎︎ January 2027
Comics, illustrated books, zines, artists’ books—what connects them?
This series of short online courses explores drawing and painting as expanded forms of visual storytelling. Rather than following conventional narrative structures, we'll approach image-making as a space for experimentation, using drawing, painting, and sequencing to develop original visual narratives.
Together we'll explore themes such as identity, memory, symbolic language, travel as a creative process, and the absurd as a catalyst for imagination. Through practical exercises you'll be encouraged to experiment with different narrative approaches while developing your own visual language.
By the end of the course, you'll have established the foundation for a personal project—whether an illustrated book, comic, zine, artist's book, or a series of narrative images—that can continue to evolve beyond the workshop.
Each course runs over four weeks and begins with a live introductory session on Zoom. The session is recorded, so you can join live or watch it later at your convenience. New exercises are released every Wednesday, allowing you to work at your own pace. Throughout the course, we'll stay connected via a dedicated Slack group, where you can share your work, exchange ideas with fellow participants, and receive guidance and feedback.
01.– BEYOND THE FORM
Drawing / SymbolsStarts 02 September with Live-Session at 8.30 pm CET Timezone
We perceive the world through shapes, objects, colors, and sounds—sensory signals that give form to meaning. In this course, we will explore abstraction and its symbolic power as a bridge between the objective and the subjective.
02.–SMALL TALK
Drawing / Comic CourseStarts 30 September with Live-Session at 8.30 pm CET Timezone
Life’s routine is threaded with the uncanny: hilarious missteps, bizarre encounters, and small absurdities that color our days. Over four lessons, we’ll turn these seemingly trivial moments into short stories that quietly reflect the essence of our lives.
03.– SPIRITISM
Drawing / Narrative CourseStarts 28 October with Live-Session at 8.30 pm CET Timezone
Are spirits the bridges between worlds—between what is real and what is imagined, what has been and what will be? Can a soul inhabit matter?
In this course, we will listen voices from the other world to create short stories based on fictional speculation.
04.– TRIP FICTION
Drawing / Narrative CourseStarts 25 November with Live-Session at 8.30 pm CET Timezone
Traveling means stepping into the unknown, seeing the world as if for the first time, and letting go of who we think we are. It is a way of observing and thinking that invites uncertainty—the foundation of all personal transformation. In this course, we will work on a travel book to create a mini narrative project.
05.– MIRAGES
Drawing / Narrative CourseStarts 06 January 2027 with Live-Session at 8.30 pm CET Timezone
The world does not simply exist; it emerges from what we see, feel and experience. It is from these shifting experiences that the narrative of the self slowly takes form, becoming our way of inhabiting the world. In these four classes, we will explore autobiography as a gentle, imaginative approach to recounting our experiences in the form of a short story.
✔️️ Pack 5 courses
*You can select the ‘member’ option if you are or were a participant in the Drawing Workout 2026
“The knowledge of the heart is in no book and is not to be found in the mouth of any teacher, but grows out of you like the green seed from the dark earth. ”
–Carl Jung
September 2026 – January 2027
01.– BEYOND THE FORM
︎︎︎ September
WED 02 Sept
︎ Intro Live-Session at 8.30 pm CET Timezone
09 Sept
16 Sept
23 Sept
02.– SMALL TALK
︎︎︎ Sept / Oct
WED 30 Sept
︎Intro Live-Session at 8.30 pm CET Timezone
07 Oct
14 Oct
21 Oct
03.– SPIRITISM
︎︎︎ Oct / Nov
WED 28 Oct
︎Intro Live-Session at 8.30 pm CET Timezone
04 Nov
11 Nov
18 Nov
04.– TRIP FICTION
︎︎︎ Nov / Dec
WED 25 Nov
︎Intro Live-Session at 8.30 pm CET Timezone
02 Dec
09 Dec
16 Dec
05.– MIRAGES
︎︎︎ January
WE 06 Jan
︎Intro Live-Session at 8.30 pm CET Timezone
13 Jan
20 Jan
27 Jan
Approach
My approach to drawing emphasizes observation, attention, and experimentation over perfection. This course encourages students to explore the world emotionally, prioritizing process over technical precision. Mistakes are welcome, and uncertainty is part of discovery. Through playful exercises, experimental mark-making, and shifting perspectives, drawing becomes a form of personal research and self-expression. We’ll experiment freely with techniques, embracing the abstract and the unexpected, while having fun and discovering new ways to communicate through drawing.
Methodology
All courses start with a live Zoom session introducing the topic and presenting the first exercise. Each course focuses on developing a guided mini-project over four classes, working collaboratively as a group.
Group interaction plays a key role in maintaining motivation and dialogue. Participants who cannot attend live sessions may access recordings and complete the exercises independently. The tasks emphasize process-based learning, encouraging exploration and experimentation through play, chance, and intuition.
What do I get?
︎ Intro Live Session
︎ ︎4 videos + ︎4 PDF’s with assignments to gradually develop an initial project.
︎ Access to a community Slack channel to share my work and view the work of others.
︎ Talks with guest artists (Zoom)
About me
Cristóbal Schmal is an illustrator, artist, and designer passionate about drawing as a form of expression, observation, and emotional exploration. He studied Graphic Design in Valparaíso, Chile, and later worked in design and advertising agencies in Barcelona. In 2008, he moved to Berlin to focus on illustration and has since worked for over 15 years with international brands, institutions, and media, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Lufthansa, Taschen, Greenpeace, Financial Times, and National Geographic.
More short courses coming soon!
Stay tuned and Subscribe to my Substack
*the member option is for Drawing Workout 2025 members only.
** if you are a student please email me a copy of your student ID card
Materials:
Sketchbook, Mix media paper ( 240 g/m2) Graphite Pencils (HB, 2B, 4B), Brushes, Inks, Drawing pens, Watercolors, Blend Stumps.
A detailed list of materials will be sent after enrollment.
Language: English
The course is designed for all levels.
If you have questions just send me an email:
info@artnomono.com
FAQ
Can I start the course at any time?
Yes, all lessons and Live-Sessions recordings are available for 1 year.
I only know how to say “thank you” in English, can I participate?
A basic level beyond “thank you” is great, but the drawing is universal and if you don't want to speak it's OK.
How are the works evaluated?
The works are not evaluated but reviewed with the teacher and the rest of participants. Part of the concept of this course is to share the processes and learn from them.
I'm afraid to share my drawings because I always think they suck.
The bad drawings are sometimes the most interesting ones. I try to create a climate of trust without prejudices and judgements.
What kind of artists are the guest artists?
In the last years artists like John Broadley, Powerpaola, Katrin Stangl, Catalina Bu, Gosia Machon, Fanny Dreyer, Chris Harnan, Sophia Martineck, Amanda Baeza, Martha Verschaffel, Sarah Mazzeti, Mantraste , Molly Fairhurst, Aidan Koch and many more have been invited.