Portrait Drawing (Autumn)

Open to all adults – beginners and those with some experience.

A course which focuses on drawing the head – developing a greater understanding of proportions and capturing character. You will learn about the architecture of the head, neck and facial features and how the underlying structure influences the surface form. By the end of the course you should be able to depict the head from different viewpoints using a selection of different materials and approaches. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience. You will draw from a clothed portrait model and work either sitting or standing at an easel.

Core Skills
• Proportions of head and facial features
• Understanding how the skull influences the form of the head
• Observing and drawing tilts and angles of the head
• Using shadow shapes to depict form
• Discovering shapes and planes
• Using linear and tonal methods
• Capturing character

Materials List
Pencils H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B, pencil sharpener or scalpel, 2 bulldog clips, masking tape, willow charcoal (box of mixed size/thicknesses). A pad of A3 or A2 cartridge paper, putty rubber or ordinary eraser, monozero wedge-shaped pencil eraser, 3 sheets of A3 or A2 mid-toned paper (e.g. brown, grey, beige, blue), 2 coloured pencils, 4 sheets of A3 tracing paper, 4 sheets of A3 or A2 black paper, conte or pastel pencils in white, brown and black, 2 fibre-tipped pens – one fine nib and one medium or thick nib, 2 or 3 sheets of cold-pressed A3 watercolour paper, blue watercolour paint, watercolour brushes – one fine, one broader. Any other personally preferred materials. Experienced students are welcome to incorporate materials of their choice.

*Advice on materials will be offered at the first session. Please bring drawing materials of your choice, a few sheets of paper, eraser and bulldog clips to the first session.

Tutor
Emily Burton