Portrait Painting Courses – Beginners

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.