Painting
Portrait Painting Courses – Beginners
A beginner portrait painting course covering composition, facial structure, likeness, colour, tone and brushwork while working from live models.
Choose a date before booking
Upcoming classes
13 classes
| Starts | Schedule | Length | Teacher | Venue | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
25 Sept 2026 Fridays | 18:00 - 20:30 | Short course3 weeks | StephenNicholas | City AcademyFarringdon | £135.00 | Book now |
24 Oct 2026 Saturday | 10:30 - 16:30 | One-day class1 day | StephenNicholas | City AcademyFarringdon | £110.00 | |
17 Nov 2026 Tuesdays | 18:00 - 20:30 | Short course3 weeks | TommyRamsay | City AcademyFarringdon | £135.00 | |
19 Dec 2026 Saturday | 10:30 - 16:30 | One-day class1 day | CarlRandalll | City AcademyFarringdon | £110.00 | |
8 Jan 2027 Fridays | 18:30 - 21:00 | Short course3 weeks | CityAcademy ArtTutors | City AcademyFarringdon | £135.00 | |
16 Jan 2027 Saturday | 10:30 - 16:30 | One-day class1 day | CityAcademy ArtTutors | City AcademyFarringdon | £110.00 | |
26 Jan 2027 Tuesdays | 18:15 - 20:45 | Short course3 weeks | CityAcademy ArtTutors | City AcademyFarringdon | £135.00 | |
6 Feb 2027 Saturday | 10:30 - 16:30 | One-day class1 day | CityAcademy ArtTutors | City AcademyFarringdon | £110.00 | |
16 Feb 2027 Tuesdays | 18:15 - 20:45 | Short course3 weeks | CityAcademy ArtTutors | City AcademyFarringdon | £135.00 | |
5 Mar 2027 Fridays | 18:45 - 21:15 | Short course3 weeks | CityAcademy ArtTutors | City AcademyFarringdon | £135.00 |
Sat 24 Oct, 10:30 - 16:30
1 day1 daySat 10:30£110StephenNicholasCity AcademyTue 17 Nov, 18:00 - 20:30
3 weeks3 weeksTue 18:00£135TommyRamsayCity AcademySat 19 Dec, 10:30 - 16:30
1 day1 daySat 10:30£110CarlRandalllCity AcademyFri 8 Jan, 18:30 - 21:00
3 weeks3 weeksFri 18:30£135CityAcademy ArtTutorsCity AcademySat 16 Jan, 10:30 - 16:30
1 day1 daySat 10:30£110CityAcademy ArtTutorsCity AcademyTue 26 Jan, 18:15 - 20:45
3 weeks3 weeksTue 18:15£135CityAcademy ArtTutorsCity AcademySat 6 Feb, 10:30 - 16:30
1 day1 daySat 10:30£110CityAcademy ArtTutorsCity AcademyTue 16 Feb, 18:15 - 20:45
3 weeks3 weeksTue 18:15£135CityAcademy ArtTutorsCity AcademyFri 5 Mar, 18:45 - 21:15
3 weeks3 weeksFri 18:45£135CityAcademy ArtTutorsCity Academy
About this course
Participants develop a portrait from initial planning and sketching through to painted details, using live models as reference. The course examines facial proportion and structure, composition, colour, tone, contrast and brush techniques for creating shape, texture and detail. Teaching includes guidance and feedback as learners work through the stages of a portrait, with opportunities to produce several pieces of artwork.
What you'll learn
- Plan and compose a portrait with attention to feature placement and expression
- Apply techniques for proportion, facial structure and likeness
- Use colour, tone and contrast to create depth and form
- Develop brushwork for shape, texture, detail and mark-making
- Build a portrait through successive stages from sketch to finished details
Is this course right for you?
The course is intended for complete beginners and also welcomes learners with some drawing or painting experience who want to focus on portrait painting. Participation involves developing individual paintings from live models, with guidance and feedback during the process.
- Suitable for learners starting without painting experience
- Also relevant to people with some drawing or painting experience
- Work is based on live models
Before you go
- Paper, brushes, paint and other art materials are provided.
Where this course runs
- Selected class
10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG
Farringdon, London
Nearest station: Farringdon
View venue details ›