Course
PORTRAIT
The Allure of Portraiture. Many artists and students love portrait drawing and painting, and come to the Studios wanting to focus on it.
Yet, like all other forms of artistic discipline, the mystery belies a clear sequential system to be followed. The likeness is not achieved through racing to the end product and focusing on tiny details; it is in drawing out the big shapes and the simple proportions.
Term dates & pricesCourse Structure
We hold portrait classes every day at the studios from Monday to Saturday, as well as on Monday evenings. We also hold short courses in December and July that specifically focus on portraiture.
Course content
We teach a clear, systematic way to approach the portrait and always work exclusively from life. All students start with charcoal to understand the importance of mass and values in achieving likeness.
Students in the part-time and full-time courses start with plaster casts to learn value patterns and the five essential darks before moving on to the portrait model.
Materials
At the beginning of term students will need to buy a box of charcoal and chamois (fabric for erasing), available from Lavender Hill Colours. Paper is provided initially. In week 4 you will need to buy quality paper so as to more effectively work the chiaroscuro stage. In week 6 or 7 students start to work in oils, for this will you will need a Starter Painting Kit.
Recommended Further Studies
We encourage students to compliment their studies by taking the time to visit exhibitions and practice sketching in museums. In addition, the Studios host a range of events throughout the term aimed at enhancing the artist’s understanding of their craft and the tradition that they are working within.
We recommend the following books:
Alla Prima II – Richard Schmid (paper back or hard cover)
Heads, Features, Faces – G.B. Bridgman
Charles Bargue & Jean-Léon Gérôme Drawing Course – Gerald M. Ackerman
Portrait Drawings – John Singer Sargent
