Portrait Drawing (Summer)

A little previous portrait drawing experience is recommended.

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. We will also look at the work of other artists and Art movements for inspiration.

• Proportions of head and facial features
• Observing and drawing tilts and angles of the head
• Using linear and tonal methods
• Analysing flesh tones and exaggerating colour bias using dry media
• Considering composition and mood
• Experimenting with a range of approaches
• Methods for drawing at a large scale.

Materials
Pencils H, HB, 2B, 4B, willow charcoal (box of mixed size or medium thickness). A3 or A2 cartridge pad or any other personally preferred paper, approx 2 sheets of brown paper and 2 of light blue or muted green paper, eraser, chalk or white conte crayon, pastel pencils (or soft pastels) in red, blue, yellow, orange, purple, green and white, monozero small wedge-shaped pencil eraser, 2 bulldog clips, masking tape, 2 sheets of tracing paper, pencil sharpener or scalpel, ruler, scissors and glue.

Optional: conte pencils or crayons in brown tones e.g. sanguine or sepia, charcoal pencil. Any other personally preferred materials.

Advice on coloured paper and pastel pencils will be given at the first session – they won’t be needed for the first class. You may already own materials which can be adapted.

Tutor
Emily Burton