Portraiture - Introduction

Initially, each week will cover one aspect of portraiture, but as your skills develop, you will spend longer on each piece of work. You will begin by looking at the structure of the face and you will be shown basic measuring techniques to help you represent what you see, beginning with contour drawing. You will then be shown how tone and directional line can help you describe volume. From this, you will take steps into colour, either using pastels or paint. This will begin with simple monochrome studies and will develop to two/three colours. You will be introduced to both naturalistic and non-naturalistic colour. Naturalistic colour will include the concept of colour temperature and the classical palette, which can be the basis for representing natural skin colours.

Teaching methods include illustrated talks, demonstrations of materials and techniques, practical drawing/painting experience, exchanging ideas and experience with others, looking at the work of inspirational artists, individual tuition and feedback , and informal group critiques.