Introduction to Portraiture

This course is ideal for complete beginners who have never drawn or painted from a live model before, or for those with some experience, who’d like to brush up their skills and gain confidence in their drawing and colour work.

What The Course is About:

You will be taught the key observational skills of drawing from a portrait model in three-dimensional space, including shape and line, consistency of scale and space, comparative tonal values, composition and how to assess proportion , geometry and perspective with plenty of group and individual demos and handouts. You’ll be introduced to a variety of materials including pencil, charcoal, watercolour, ink and wash, and oils for later in the term when colour is introduced.

Materials Required:

What to bring to the first session: Bring a range of pencils, putty rubber, and charcoal initially. Most of your materials can be bought in the school shop but you will be given a list of materials needed when you join the course. Cleaning material-kitchen towel

Previous Experience:

Suitable for complete beginners who have never drawn or students who have not drawn for a while or need to gain confidence

End of course:

What will I achieve? You will learn the basic principles of observational portrait drawing and painting, from a live model in real three-dimensional space, and be shown how to interpret visual information by employing a number of key observational skills. You’ll have been introduced to a variety of materials and you’ll be able to mix colours and see colour relationships, informed by an understanding of colour theory. The aim of the course is to help you to develop your observational skills further and build your confidence when interpreting and recording what you see.