10+ weeks of guided drawing instruction
"The Structure of Seeing"
Train your Eye
Transform your Drawings
with Alison Wells
More than a drawing course, The Structure of Seeing is an invitation to experience drawing through observation, perception, and visual awareness - helping artists create with greater confidence, expression, structure, and depth.
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Training your eye to truly see is the key to unlock confident,
realistic drawing skills - No matter your starting point.
What is This Course?
The Structure of Seeing was created for artists who want to move beyond copying and begin drawing with greater awareness, confidence, and understanding.
The course is designed to guide students step by step, beginning with foundational observational exercises and gradually building toward more structured, expressive, and fully realized drawings.
This course strengthens not only your drawings, but your paintings, compositions, and overall creative confidence.
Whether you work in drawing, painting, or mixed media, these foundational skills can transform the way you observe, interpret, and create.
What You Get
- Step-by-step video lessons
- Personalized feedback on your drawings and progress
- Live Zoom Q&A and critique sessions
- A supportive private creative community
- Weekly released modules
- Lifetime access to the course and future updates
What Begins to Change
- Stronger observation and visual awareness
- Greater confidence in your ability to draw what you see
- More expressive and believable lines
- A deeper understanding of structure and form
- Drawings with more movement, energy, and life
- The ability to simplify and interpret what you observe
- Greater freedom and confidence in your creative process
"I'm one of those 'I can't draw' creatives who surprised herself with Alison's 'Structure of Seeing' online course. I never realized how similar my feelings-skills as a poet paralleled the seeing-skills of a visual artist.
In fact, Alison bolstered my confidence to such a level that I am planning to illustrate my next poem collection with pencil/charcoal/pen-and-ink gesture drawings or sketches."
Sarah B
Poet & Beginner to Drawing
What You’ll Explore Inside The Course:
Module 1: “Awakening Observation Through Gesture & Line”
Gesture / movement / line / awareness
Module 2: “Slowing Down & Learning to Observe”
Contour / Blind / Semi Blind
Module 3: “Understanding Form & Volume”
Ellipses / Circles in Perspective / Cylinders
Module 4: “Seeing Proportion & Structure”
Sighting / measuring / structure / line confidence
“I finally understood how to actually SEE proportions.”
Module 5: “Seeing Depth & Spatial Relationships”
Principles of Perspective / One-point & two-point perspective
Module 6: Value — “Understanding Light Through Line & Value”
Value through hatching / cross hatching
Module 7: Value 2 — "Creating Form Through Light & Shadow"
Shading • Tonal Value • Form
Module 8: Value 3 — “Bringing Drawings to Life Through Value & Expression”
Rendering • Atmosphere • Expression
Module 9: “Bringing Observation, Structure & Expression Together”
A final observational drawing project that brings together structure, expression, and your evolving way of seeing.
“Before I always felt like my drawings looked like wallpaper drawings but now they don’t feel as flat. I’m more confident and I’m paying more attention to things around me.”
Emily C.
Artist, Returning to Drawing
Meet Your Instructor
Hi, I’m Alison
I’m a professional artist with over 25 years of experience teaching drawing and painting - including 14 years at the college level. My approach is rooted in helping artists build confidence through keen observation, clear instruction, and creative exploration. If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t draw” - I want you to know that I once felt that way too.
I loved art deeply, but when it came to drawing, I often felt frustrated and stuck. No matter how many classes I took, it felt like everyone else understood something I didn’t. I thought maybe I simply “wasn’t good at drawing.”
Everything changed when I began to understand that drawing wasn’t really about talent, it was about learning how to truly SEE.
Once I started strengthening my observational skills and learning to recognize structure, proportion, movement, light, and form more clearly, drawing became less intimidating and far more exciting. It stopped feeling like guesswork and started feeling like discovery. That experience completely transformed not only my drawings, but also my paintings, compositions, and overall confidence as an artist.
And now, that’s exactly what I love helping students experience for themselves.
My teaching approach is rooted in observation, visual awareness, and creative confidence rather than pressure or perfectionism.
Whether you work in drawing, painting, or mixed media, my goal is to help you strengthen the foundational skills that bring greater confidence, freedom, and depth to your creative process.
I always say:
“I’m not just teaching you how to draw - I’m teaching you how to truly see.”
And I’d be honored to guide you through that journey.
"Looking back, one of the reasons I found watercolor painting so difficult was because I thought I had to be perfect. Discovering Alison's drawing class changed that. I stopped trying to satisfy others and started creating for myself."
Loretta H.
Watercolor painter & Beginner to Drawing
Is This the Right Fit for You?
This course is for you if…
- You’re a creative who wants to build or strengthen your foundation in drawing
- You’re a painter or mixed media artist looking to improve your observation skills, compositions, and visual confidence
- You’ve struggled with drawing in the past and want a more approachable alternative to rigid or overly academic instruction
- You want to create drawings with greater structure, depth, movement and expression
- You’re ready to slow down, observe more carefully, and truly learn how to see
- You value thoughtful instruction, personalized feedback, and creative growth
- You prefer a supportive, intimate learning environment over large impersonal programs
- You’re willing to practice, stay curious, and trust the process
This course may not be the best fit if…
- You’re looking for quick hacks or instant results
- You want a completely hands-off, self-guided course experience with little interaction or feedback
- You’re unwilling to practice consistently or engage with the learning process
- You’re only interested in rigid technical perfection without exploration, observation, or creative growth
Student Spotlight
"As a child, I loved to draw, but I was always left feeling dissatisfied. Over the years, I took many drawing classes, but each time I felt drawing was simply too hard for me. Alison's class was the exception. She taught me to truly see the shapes and relationships within what I was drawing. But most importantly, Alison taught me that I can draw.
— Linda Gonçalves Beginner to Drawing
Before
After
Student Spotlight
"As a child, I loved to draw, but I was always left feeling dissatisfied. Over the years, I took many drawing classes, but each time I felt drawing was simply too hard for me. Alison's class was the exception. She taught me to truly see the shapes and relationships within what I was drawing. But most importantly, Alison taught me that I can draw.
— Linda Gonçalves Beginner to Drawing
Before
After
A Few Questions You May Have
Do I Need Prior Drawing Experience?
No prior drawing experience is required. The Structure of Seeing is a foundational course designed to welcome beginners while also supporting artists who want to strengthen or reconnect with their drawing practice. The course begins with foundational observational exercises and gradually builds toward more developed and expressive drawing work step by step.
What Level of Artist Is “The Structure of Seeing” For?
This course is designed for a wide range of creatives. From beginners building foundational drawing skills to painters, mixed media artists, and developing artists wanting to strengthen observation, structure, and visual confidence. Whether you’re new to drawing or returning to it after years away, the course is designed to support you in an encouraging and approachable way.
I’m Already an Experienced Artist. Will This Course Be Too Basic for Me?
The Structure of Seeing begins with foundational skills, but the deeper focus of the course is learning how to observe, understand, and draw with greater awareness and confidence. Many experienced artists find that revisiting these foundations strengthens not only their drawings, but also their paintings, compositions, and overall creative practice. The goal of this course isn’t rigid perfectionism — it’s helping artists develop a stronger, more expressive relationship with seeing and drawing.
What if I Feel Intimidated by Drawing?
This course was specifically created to make drawing feel more approachable, understandable, and encouraging. You do not need to consider yourself “naturally talented” to benefit from this course. The focus is on learning how to observe differently and build confidence step by step.
When Does the Course Begin?
The course officially begins on August 11. On that day, you'll receive access to Modules 1 and 2, so you can begin learning at your own pace. We'll also kick things off with a live Welcome & Orientation session to help you get settled, navigate the course, and know exactly what to expect. Our first Live Q&A and Critique session takes place on August 18, giving you time to work through the first lessons, complete some drawings, and come with questions. After that, new modules will be released weekly, along with our live Q&A sessions.
How Do I View the Content?
You can access the videos from most mobile devices and computers with high speed internet. You’ll get instant access to a private online classroom portal where new lessons will be added weekly. The content is organized clearly for easy navigation, including recordings, downloadable resources, and live sessions and Q&A’s.
How Long Do I Have Access to “The Structure of Seeing”?
You’ll have lifetime access — meaning for as long as AlisonWellsArt is in business and offering art courses. As the course evolves, you’ll automatically receive updates and any new content added, so your learning journey continues even after the initial launch.
What Supplies Do I Need?
I’ve created a complete materials list to guide you, including optional tools I love to use (but aren’t required). You’ll find a link to the supply list in your welcome email, and it’s also available to view or download inside the classroom portal. Many students find they already have some of these supplies at home.
Alison, I Have a Busy Schedule. Will I Be Able to Keep Up?
Absolutely. While the course is designed to be experienced week by week, all lessons are recorded and you’ll have lifetime access to the course materials, so you can move through the content at a pace that works for you. Some students enjoy following along with the live schedule and community discussions, while others prefer to take more time with the lessons and revisit them later. The goal is steady, meaningful growth — not pressure or perfection.
I Really Want to Do This But… Not Sure if I Have the Money Right Now.
I completely understand. Investing in yourself creatively can feel vulnerable, especially when it’s something you care about. If you feel genuinely drawn to the course and the kind of growth it offers, I encourage you to trust your own pace and timing. Payment plan options are also available to help make the course more accessible.
Maybe I’ll Just Take the Course Next Year.
I understand that feeling completely. Sometimes we wait because we’re unsure if we’re “ready,” or because investing time and energy into our creative growth can feel a little intimidating. But often, the artists who grow the most are the ones who finally decide to begin, even imperfectly. Also the course will not reopen again till 2027, and future versions will likely increase in price as the program continues to grow and evolve.
What Is Your Refund Policy?
I want you to feel confident about your decision to join The Structure of Seeing. Once the course officially begins on August 11, you'll have 7 days to explore the lessons and decide if the course is the right fit for you. If it's not, simply email us by August 18, and we'll be happy to provide a full refund.Because the course includes immediate access to digital materials, live sessions, and lifetime access, refunds are not available after August 18.
Don’t See Your Question Here?
Feel free to reach out to me.
I’m happy to help.
Ready to Begin Seeing Differently?
The Structure of Seeing is an invitation to strengthen your observational skills, build greater confidence in drawing, and experience a more thoughtful and expressive relationship with seeing and creating.
Enroll in The Structure of Seeing
Paid in Full
$247
USD · one payment
OR
Payment Plan
3 × $95
USD · monthly payments
Your Enrollment Includes:
Weekly released modules and step-by-step lessons
Live Zoom Q&A and critique sessions
Personalized feedback and support
Lifetime access to the course and future updates
Private creative community space
Bonus preparation materials and resources
"This course greatly increased confidence in my ability to draw more complex compositions and to draw more often. I now have tools which can make my attempts more intentional and, as a result, more pleasing”
Sarah B
An Invitation to See Differently
Whether you’re picking up drawing for the first time or returning to it after years of self-doubt, this course is an invitation to slow down, observe differently, and create with greater confidence, understanding, and freedom.
I’d be honored to guide you through that journey.
“I learned a lot with these lessons and I’m feeling more and more confident about values.
Thanks for helping me remove this block”
Loretta H.
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