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.

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).

Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration  
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-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 (lunch included)  
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 - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
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.

Terms & Conditions