2 Days: Portrait Drawing & Painting (All Levels)

About this course

The course develops portrait observation through drawing and painting, with attention to the anatomy of the head and the structural relationships between its features. Learners examine how comparative tonal values create volume and describe form through light and shade. Painting work considers how tone translates into colour, using a limited palette and colour theory to mix colours that retain both vibrancy and tonal structure. Different media may be used to explore likeness, composition, proportion, perspective and individual approaches to portraiture.

What you'll learn

• Analyse the anatomical and structural relationships of the head and facial features.
• Use comparative tonal values to describe volume, light and shade.
• Apply colour theory and limited-palette methods to portrait painting.
• Develop portrait compositions using proportion and perspective.
• Capture likeness while exploring a personal approach across drawing or painting media.

Is this course right for you?

The course is suitable for beginners as well as learners with previous experience. Its all-levels format indicates that participants can approach portrait drawing and painting from different starting points while working on observational and technical skills.

Before you go

• Participants need pencils, charcoal, a putty rubber, oil paint, watercolours or acrylics, and brushes.