Drawing and painting the head with Emily Ball

Ref: S4D37781

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About this course

Become confident drawing and painting features and capturing character and expression. Celebrate the sculptural qualities of the subject using charcoal, rubbers and soft pencils to produce powerful and expressive A1 size drawings.

Course Description

Gain confidence to tackle drawing and painting the human head. The aim is to capture more than just a likeness, it is to convey the essence of the person, exploring sculptural qualities of the shapes and features using the tactile and physical properties of the drawing and painting mediums. You will also be encouraged to work directly and confidently with your materials, through liberating and focused exercises, to find ways of re-inventing how you draw and paint features.

The course begins with an introduction, which includes some practical work. You will move on to a series of exercises to help you loosen up and sharpen your observation and responses. You will complete many drawings and paintings from both short and long poses, on a large and small scale, using charcoal, pencil, felt pens, rubbers, rags and paint.

There will be a slide show of artists’ work, including: Frank Auerbach, Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, Francis Bacon and the tutor’s own work. There will be discussion on how the artists arrive at their finished pieces, as well as discussions of students’ work in progress.

This exciting course is aimed at students of all levels of experience.

Course Materials

Included

  • the model who will sit for the course

What students need to bring

  • Lots of Rags
  • A1 cartridge paper
  • Scene painter’s charcoal
  • Black and white chalks
  • Soft pencils
  • Graphite pencils
  • Rubbers
  • Felt pens
  • Pritt stick glue
  • Masking tape
  • Fixative
  • scissors
  • Bulldog clips
  • paint – oil or Acrylic paint, plus mediums

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            if in doubt about materials, Please consult the tutor at the beginning of the course.

Available to buy

Available from shop: The College Craft shop stocks a good selection of painting and drawing materials, including:

  • A1cartridge paper, scene painter’s charcoal, black and white chalks, soft pencils, graphite pencils and rubbers. -Pritt stick glue, masking tape, fixative, bulldog clips
  • A good selection of oil and acrylic paints plus mediums

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals.

Timetable

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.
Students meet their tutor in the Bar at 7.30pm prompt to go to studios.
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am - 5pm
Morning session: 9.15am - 12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm - 2pm*
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm
Teaching finishes: 3pm

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am. Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options

General Information

Tutors

Emily Ball

Emily Ball trained at Exeter and Surrey Universities and is director and tutor of Emily Ball at Seawhite Studio. Her book Painting and Drawing People - A Fresh Approach was published in 2009.

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

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Further study options for art craft and design short courses

Further study options

Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study. 

Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.