Portrait Drawing (Spring 2026 Term)

Weekly: Wednesdays 2pm -4:30pm

Dates:
10-week course
14^th, 21st and 28^th January
4^th, 11^th, February
No class on 18^th February due to Half-term Break
25^th February
4^th, 11^th, 18^th, 25^th March

This course focuses on drawing the head and developing a greater understanding of proportions and capturing character. You’ll 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’ll be able to depict the head from different viewpoints using a selection of different materials and approaches. You’ll explore line, tone, sculptural mass and experiment with mark-making. You’ll be regularly drawing from a clothed portrait model and work either sitting or standing at an easel.

Who’s this course for?

• Beginners with some basic knowledge
• Intermediate learners with some knowledge and experience
• Advanced, proficient learners with regular practice

What you’ll explore:

• Proportions of head and facial features
• Observing and drawing tilts and angles of the head in a range of positions
• Discovering shapes and planes
• Analysing the logic of light and shade to make tonal drawings of the head
• Plasticine sculpture to understand the form of the head from multiple angles
• Sculptural approaches to drawing analysing mass and form
• Experimenting with pen line inspired by the work of artists such as Hockney, Picasso and Van Gogh

Learnings you’ll walk away with:

• Applying the methods of perception to make more truthful, subtly observed drawings of the head
• Using methods and feedback to develop the autonomy to critique and correct your own artwork
• Analysing the logic of light and shade and applying that to depicting tonal values on the head
• Experimenting with different mediums and techniques
• Using your drawing materials with increased skill and awareness of their mark-making possibilities
• Using line as an expressive medium and to describe form and distance
• Analysing the drawings of other artists and experimenting with their approaches in your own artwork

Materials and supplies required:

• 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 A4 cartridge paper
• Putty rubber or ordinary eraser
• Monozero wedge-shaped pencil eraser
• 3 sheets of A3 or A2 mid-toned paper (ideally 2 sheets of a dull blue paper but otherwise brown, grey, beige will be fine)
• 1 or 2 sheets of black paper
• 2 (minimum) coloured pencils
• 4 sheets of A3 tracing paper
• Conte or pastel pencil in white and black
• Two blocks of art shop quality plasticine
• Plastic knife or scalpel
• Biro
• Black or dark-coloured fibre-tipped drawing pens in at least 2 different nib-widths
• Bottle of dark-coloured ink (any type)
• Conte sticks in two colours
• Optional: lighter-coloured pen, dip pen and any other personally preferred materials.

Experienced students are welcome to incorporate materials of their choice.

What to bring to the first class:
Please bring a few sheets of cartridge paper, pencils. charcoal, eraser and bulldog clips to the first class. If needed, advice will be offered about other materials at the first class.

What to wear:
For classes involving charcoal, ink or plasticine you may want to wear clothing you don’t mind getting messy or an apron. Generally, it is not a particularly messy class and you can wear what you choose. A syllabus will be issued in the first week, so you will know which materials to bring each week.

About the tutor:
Emily Burton holds a BA in Graphic Design, specialising in illustration, and an MA in Drawing. With nearly twenty years’ experience teaching a wide range of art courses, she brings both expertise and enthusiasm to her classes.

Emily enjoys working with adults of all levels, valuing the humour, life experience and curiosity they bring. Her teaching is clear and structured, yet responsive to the needs and individuality of each student. She aims to create a supportive environment that nurtures confidence while also challenging those with more experience.

In both her teaching and personal practice, Emily encourages rigorous observation and creative experimentation.

Testimonials
‘I have attended numerous classes of Emily’s over the years including portrait drawing, life drawing and creative sketchbook. Emily is always enthusiastic, creative and resourceful in imparting her knowledge. Lessons are inspired and inspiring. I cannot speak highly enough of her talents as an art teacher’. –Susan H

‘I attended the Portrait Class a few years ago, Emily Burton was our tutor who I found a very good Art teacher, the models we had to draw and paint were a great plus, which made the classes interesting and varied. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone who thought it was something they would like to try, but not sure if they were experience enough, but as I found out you learn so much from this class, with no pressure, just very enjoyable weather your a beginner or not’. –Sheila C

Book Now