Portrait Drawing

Weekly: Wednesdays at 2 – 4:30pm

Dates: 12 weeks from 15th April 2026
15, 22, 29 April
6, 13, 20 May
Half Term Break: 27 May (no class)
3, 10, 17, 24 June
1, 8 July

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.

You will draw from a good variety of clothed live models. You will work either sitting or standing at an easel.

Class Content

• 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
• Creating a story or feeling through different compositional methods
• Experimenting with a range of approaches
• Methods for drawing at a large scale
• Drawing a double portrait

Learning Outcomes: 

• Ability to depict the head from different viewpoints using a selection of different materials and approaches.
• Knowledge of how to structure a drawing and how to structure the way you observe.
• Strategies for critically assessing and troubleshooting problems with your portrait drawings.
• A greater appreciation of the work of other portrait artists and how to use their work as inspiration.
• Ability to analyse primary and secondary colours within flesh tones.
• Understanding of the logic of light and shade.
• Experience of working large and experimentally.
• Greater skill with application of various art materials.

Materials

• Selection of Pencils (e.g. HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
• willow charcoal (box of mixed size or medium thickness).
• A3 or A2 cartridge pad or any other personally preferred paper
• Approx 2 sheets of mid brown paper and 2 of light blue or muted green paper
• Eraser
• Chalk or white conte crayon or pastel pencil
• 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
• Glue.
• Optional: conte pencils or crayons in brown tones e.g. sanguine or sepia, charcoal pencil. Any other personally preferred materials.

What to bring to the first class:

• Please bring a pad of paper, charcoal, pencils, eraser, bulldog clips and masking tape to the first session.
• Experienced students are welcome to bring any other personally preferred art materials.
• Advice about other materials listed will be offered at the first session if you are unsure what to get or have questions.
• Please bring a pad of paper, charcoal, pencils, eraser, bulldog clips and masking tape to the first session.
• Experienced students are welcome to bring any other personally preferred art maaterials.
• Advice about other materials listed will be offered at the first session if you are unsure what to get or have questions.

What to wear:
Something you don’t mind getting a bit messy or an apron, although this is not usually a particularly messy course.

Tutor
Emily Burton

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