Drawing a portrait in charcoal with Luca Indraccolo

Ref: SWE35634

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About this course

Learn how to successfully approach a portrait with charcoal in this two-day course. You will observe the sitter in the same sustained pose from life to understand the planes and anatomical structure of the head and what to look for to achieve a likeness.

Course Description

During the course you will look at:

The anatomy of the skull (useful landmarks from an artist’s point of view) - to control proportions when working from life, given the inevitable subtle movements and slight changes in the pose by the sitter.

Standard proportions and planes of the head - understanding ideal proportions is a very useful tool to be able to capture a likeness and how the individual character of a particular face relates to this basic structure.

Basic composition strategies for a portrait – how to place the portrait within the confines of the paper format.

How to organise a value range – to convey a convincing light impression.

The importance of edges – to achieve the impression of form.

How to manipulate a background – to add a sense of depth and atmosphere.

By the end of the course, you will understand the stages involved in creating a realistic portrait drawing and have learned techniques you can apply to your own work and studies going forward.

A portrait model/s will be provided for the duration of the course.

Course Materials

Included

The college will provide all materials, including Nitram charcoal, watercolour paper, a putty eraser and a sanding block per student and some fixative to share amongst the group. A portrait model/s for the duration of the course.

What students need to bring

Please bring An A1 portfolio/project bag to take your work home.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Timetable

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

General Information

Tutors

Luca Indraccolo

Luca Indraccolo is an Italian-born artist known for his skilful and realistic oil paintings. He specializes in figurative and narrative art.

Accommodation

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

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