This three day course, lead by experts from Mercian Archaeological Services CIC, will teach the basics of artefact illustration.

Take your skills to the next level by joining our 3 day long:

Artefact Illustration Course 2026
at King’s Clipstone.

Price £295 per person

Dates

Course 1: 8th - 10th Apr

Course 2: 28th - 30th Oct

*Please note- No experience or artistic talent is required to produce archaeological illustrations!*

Despite the ready availability of digital cameras and the near universal application of colour printing in archaeological monographs and journals these days there is still a need for traditional artefact illustrations.

Artefact illustrations are accurate scale drawings of archaeological objects, shown using a set of conventions that varies for different artefact types. A good artefact illustration can convey much more information about an object than even a good photograph (as long as you understand how to 'read' the drawing!).

Drawing an artefact also compels the illustrator to examine and study it in minute detail, which can allow subtle details that may otherwise be overlooked to be revealed, and a greater understanding of the artefact to be reached.

Delegates will learn the conventions and techniques used in producing artefact drawings, and will put these into practice using real archaeological material.

The course will be taught through a combination of lectures, handouts, exercises, demonstrations and practical activities, with delegates getting the opportunity to practice their illustration skills under supervision and guidance of the course tutor on a range of genuine archaeological material throughout the course.

There are two main types of find illustration which each have their own techniques and conventions: pottery; and other finds (or 'small finds').

Day one will be spent learning the basic conventions and techniques applicable to all types of artefact illustration, and will then focus on pottery.

Delegates will examine the conventions specific to pottery drawings and will learn how illustrators get from a bag of pot sherds to finished pottery drawings. Delegates will spend the practical sessions working on producing accurate pottery drawings.

Day two will introduce the techniques of small find illustration, with a focus on basic principles and learning to 'read' the artefacts and some basic shading. We will look at the conventions used in the illustration of clay tobacco pipes and struck flint. The practical sessions will focus on techniques for producing accurate outlines of small finds and how to measure in surface detail and decoration, working on clay tobacco pipes and struck flint (but applicable to all types of small find).

On Day three delegates will look at the conventions used to depict the remaining types of small find (copper alloy, iron (including from x-rays), worked stone, glass, wood, etc).

Other taught elements covered over the day include looking at how digital illustrations are produced, the future of artefact illustration (including labour saving devices, AI, and photogrammetry), and sources of information / standards and guidance and useful books.

The practical sessions will focus on further illustration of small finds, or if they wish delegates can continue practicing techniques and materials from previous days

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Artefact Illustration Course

email: info@mercian-as.co.uk

The practical sessions will involve producing drawings using pencil and paper and drafting film and ink.

As the majority of archaeological illustrations are completed digitally rather than with pen and drafting film, the final session of the course provides an overview of some of the workflows and methods employed to produce digital illustrations. It is not possible to cover this element practically during the course, but the overview provided should allow delegates to pursue these techniques on their own after the course if they wish.

This course will be suitable for anyone who wishes to learn about archaeological artefact illustration, whether just for fun or personal gratification; if they wish to be able to illustrate artefacts for inclusion in reports for local archaeological societies and groups; or if they are seeking to embark upon a career of professional artefact illustration.

The techniques and conventions learned will be applicable at all levels, and if nothing else will promote a greater understanding and appreciation of archaeological artefact illustrations when encountered!

Course leader: David Budge.

He has many years of experience drawing archaeological finds.

He provides all the finds illustrations for Mercian's reports and publications, has provided training to commercial archaeological units and university students, and also produced some of the illustrations for the Osprey Publishing book 'Warships of the Ancient World: 3000–500 BC' by Adrian Wood, published in 2013, and for 'Stone Age Nottinghamshire', published by Nottinghamshire County Council in 2011.

A reminder for anyone worrying 'but I can't draw' or 'I've not got an artistic bone in my body':

 No experience or artistic talent is required to produce archaeological illustrations!

Picture: Illustrations by a delegate 2025

Thank you

Please note we do not provide accommodation. We can provide a list of local accommodation from camping to hotels- but it is the responsibility of the individual booking on to the field school to organise their own accommodation.

Any list provided should not be seen as a recommendation by Mercian Archaeological Services CIC.

Please contact us if you have any issues.

To pay by cheque or bank transfer, please contact us below stating which week you wish to attend and how you wish to pay.

or If you require more information before booking please contact us via our email:

info@mercian-as.co.uk

Select your payment option below and click “Buy Now”

Booking:

Places are limited so please book promptly to avoid disappointment.

booking

Artefact Illustration Course: 8th - 10th April 2026.

Book your place by paying in FULL £295:

Or

Pay £150
non-refundable DEPOSIT to reserve your place:

Pay OUTSTANDING BALANCE £145:

As well as offering the best archaeological experience opportunity, the Artefact Illustration course fulfils a Tertiary element of the Archaeological Skills Passport programme.

Important information:

• On-site toilet facilities are provided.
• Please note lunch is not provided.
• Accommodation is not included.

PLEASE NOTE:

By booking a place on the training course you are agreeing to abide by Mercian Archaeological Services CIC’s TERMS and CONDITIONS and by our CODE of CONDUCT.  

Click here to view full terms and conditions including our health and safety policy

Payment options

You can book your place for any of the weeks of the training course via a number of ways:

• You can pay for your place in full online via the ‘buy now’ option below. This includes a £150 non-refundable deposit.
• You can pay a £150 non-refundable deposit via the second  ‘buy now’ option below. This will reserve your place until we receive your full payment which is required 4 weeks prior to the commencement of the course.
• You can pay by cheque in FULL or £150 deposit. In order to pay this way please contact us first via email at info@mercian-as.co.uk in order to ensure your place is reserved before sending a cheque. We will then be able to arrange where the cheque is sent to.
• You can pay by direct bank transfer in FULL or £150 deposit. In order to pay this way please contact us first via email (info@mercian-as.co.uk).

Artefact Illustration Course: 28th & 30th October 2026.

Book your place by paying in FULL £290:

Or

Pay £150
non-refundable DEPOSIT to reserve your place:

Pay OUTSTANDING BALANCE £145:

If you are coming to our course and you are new to Sherwood Forest why not stay a while and have a look at some of the other things there are to do in this landscape of legends…

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Click the photo below for photo gallery from a previous course: