Hi Jaded, I got into drawing and sketching originally as a way to enhance my cycling trips.
I'm entirely self taught, and my skill level, and output is, after, maybe 20 years, average /mediocre - so take this with a pinch of salt.
I went on - partly through my drawing - to do a degree in Art History (with French).
There's no substitute for practice, and good friendly criticism is invaluable.
The courses you link to seem to offer these, but they seem - to me - expensive.
One of my granddaughters is frighteningly good at art, and will soon be teaching me stuff.
There are a lot of resources available on YouTube which I'd suggest are the best starting point for a raw beginner, who might be intimidated by the criticism from a course. I learned from books and took inspiration from the Bob Ross TV series (currently rerunning on BBC4) & an Irish bloke who's name I forget.
One word of advice to your pal - is f!ck what anyone else thinks of what you've done, it's the process of making the mark, and whether the mark maker is enjoying doing it.
Oh, and keep the verticals, vertical.