Drawing and painting portraits: traditional techniques
- Course Code: VH163
- Dates: 16/01/25 - 20/02/25
- Time: 18:00 - 21:00
- Taught: Thu, Evening
- Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Steve Wright
Course Code: VH163
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
The course will explore a variety of traditional drawing and painting techniques to develop your confidence in drawing portraits. You will first develop drawing skills in how to structure and proportion the human face then work towards constructing and composing a painting.
What will we cover?
Proportion
Rotation of the head
Methods for improving observational portrait painting
Tonal painting for portraits
Colour mixing in paint for portraits
Taking inspiration from traditional portrait artists.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Draw the structure of the head from a range of viewpoints
- Use light and shade to develop form in the human head
- Mix colour palettes to denote temperature and hue for skin tones
- Employ a range of approaches to brush application
- Develop a portrait in paint informed by observational drawing.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels - some previous drawing experience would be an advantage.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will learn by practical demonstration, looking at the work of portrait artists, one to one tuition, tutor demos and group discussion.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All basic materials will be provided.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Portraits 1, progressing to Portraits 2 which run throughout the year. Year of the Figure and Portrait.
Steve is a London-based painter and art tutor. He has worked in adult education since 2012, developing a wide range of courses in drawing and painting that balance technical skills with an openness to individual ways of working. He is skilled at finding both strengths and areas to improve in a student’s work and in communicating this in a supportive way to individual learners. Steve studied Painting at Wimbledon School of Art and Newcastle University, completing his MA in 2001. His own painting practice informs his teaching and he likes to share some of his drawings, paintings and working methods with students. Steve’s work is included in several public and private collections and has featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions. www.stevewqrightart.com
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.