Marie Noelle van Berkel-Chargois Student story

"The flexibility of the programme — in both scheduling and course choices — means I can plan my learning around family life without compromising on quality or depth." Marie Noelle van Berkel-Chargois shares her story.

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capturing movement
Marie Noelle van Berkel-Chargois Sketchbook, capturing movement, ink on paper
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Marie Noelle van Berkel-Chargois Sketchbook, watercolour on paper
the journey
Marie Noelle van Berkel-Chargois The Journey, ink on paper

Where are you based?

I live in Norwich, Norfolk. 

Before joining the Online Drawing Development Year, what were you doing? 

After completing my BA in Fine Art, life took me in a different direction and I focused on raising a family. As my children have grown more independent, I’ve gradually reclaimed time and space for my creative practice.

In recent years, I’ve concentrated on relief printmaking — particularly linocut and woodcut — which I can practise safely at home without needing a full printmaking studio. This has allowed me to rebuild a consistent art practice and reconnect with my artistic voice.

What appealed to you about the course?

I was drawn to the freedom the course offered. It gave me a chance to simply draw and explore without the pressure of producing finished masterpieces. It allowed me to focus on the process. Specifically, to rediscover what drawing means to me and to make space for experimentation.

What made the course truly special was being part of a supportive, passionate community — learning alongside fellow artists and guided by tutors who are also practising professionals. Their perspectives opened up new ways of seeing and making that continue to influence my work.

Can you tell us a little bit about your practice and relationship to making work? And how has this changed since joining the Online Drawing Development Year? 

I mainly work in relief printmaking, creating linocuts and woodcuts with a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere — often inspired by folk tales, memory, and imagined landscapes. My process usually begins with a spontaneous sketch, which I refine over time either on paper or directly onto the plate. Some of my prints remain monochrome, while others use multi-plate techniques to introduce colour and depth.

Since joining the course, I’ve become more confident and less self-conscious in my drawing. I now see drawing as a tool for understanding and exploring the world, rather than an end in itself. The emphasis on art history and visual research has deepened my appreciation of past artists and expanded my visual vocabulary, helping me recognise themes I want to develop in my own work.

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Marie Noelle van Berkel-Chargois Life drawing, watercolour on paper
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Marie Noelle van Berkel-Chargois Live portrait, watercolour on paper
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Marie Noelle van Berkel-Chargois Taking to the road, gouache on paper
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Marie Noelle van Berkel-Chargois Untitled, watercolour on paper
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Marie Noelle van Berkel-Chargois Trees in the garden, watercolour on paper

What courses have you most enjoyed or learnt most from? 

I particularly loved Drawing Topographies: Internal & External, which introduced a different way of understanding space each week. It encouraged me to think of space as something dynamic and expressive, rather than rigid or bound by classical perspective — a revelation for my work.

Drawing Flux and Flow helped me overcome my fear of watercolour and introduced the joy of drawing with a brush. It also gave me tools for figure and portrait drawing that now feed into my daily sketching. Another highlight was Abstract Qualities in Landscape, Gardens and Natural Forms. It was a challenging but rewarding course that sharpened my sensitivity to colour, rhythm, and the inner life of organic forms.

What have the benefits of learning online been for you? 

As a mother and carer, learning online has made it possible to study art seriously while staying close to home. The flexibility of the programme — in both scheduling and course choices — means I can plan my learning around family life without compromising on quality or depth.

Is there anything that surprised you about the course? 

I was surprised by how quickly the terms fly by and how immersive the experience becomes!

Most of all, I’ve been struck by the exceptional standard of teaching. The tutors strike a rare balance between professionalism and approachability, offering expert insight while genuinely respecting each student’s individual path and artistic voice.

Are there any particular ways that the School has been able to support you over your time on the Online Drawing Development Year? 

The School is incredibly well-organised and responsive. Any questions or issues are answered promptly, and I really appreciated the flexibility around course changes when needed, which made a big difference to me personally.

It’s clear that the team genuinely cares. They listen, they support, and they create a learning environment where you feel encouraged to grow artistically and practically.

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Marie Noelle van Berkel-Chargois Unrest in the pantry, watercolour and ink
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Marie Noelle van Berkel-Chargois Stretching perspective, pen on paper
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Marie Noelle van Berkel-Chargois Tangled, linocut print
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Marie Noelle van Berkel-Chargois Untitled life drawing, watercolour on paper

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about applying to the Online Drawing Development Year? 

If you’re considering applying, I would say: do it. The course gives you permission to draw, explore, and experiment — to take risks and to discover new directions in your work. The energy of the classes, the quality of the teaching, and the community you join are all truly inspiring.

It’s a year of learning that will help you deepen your practice while remaining true to yourself. Be open, stay curious, and let the process guide you toward your own artistic voice.

Do you have plans after you have completed the course that you would like to share? 

I plan to revisit many of the drawings I made during the course as starting points for new prints. One project I’ve been thinking about for a while is a print series inspired by Alice in Wonderland and I now feel ready to begin it.

My hope is to develop this series into a cohesive body of work and to exhibit it locally. The course has given me the confidence and the material to take this next step.