Drawing is a core subject at the NAS and is regarded as the fundamental discipline that underpins the other major studio areas.

Accordingly, all students in all major areas draw for six hours per week, with students in First Year drawing for nine hours per week. The drawing program is taught by practising artists for whom drawing is an integral part of their practice.

The high numbers of teaching staff and the wide range of graphic skills represented provide students with intensive and broadly based instruction in drawing.

The First Year of the undergraduate program delivers a comprehensive introduction to basic drawing skills centred around life, general and objective drawing classes.

These skills are further enhanced, through intensive life and research drawing, and consolidated in Second and Third Years. Students also investigate the broader debate surrounding drawing in the context of historical and contemporary practice.

As the course advances, the emphasis shifts to individual projects and the development of a personal drawing language. This strengthens both coherent and communicable visual thinking and supports the development of concepts in the student's major area.

All drawing classes are delivered in specialist drawing studios. Every year the school holds a Drawing Week where all students are involved in intensive and sustained drawing in interesting locations in the city or on the harbour. Drawing Marathons, drop-in life classes, thematic exhibitions of drawings and artists' talks are also events that continually reinforce the centrality of drawing at the NAS.