Drawing and painting portraits: traditional techniques
This structured course introduces traditional approaches to drawing then painting portraits from observation of the life model. Suitable for all levels but some previous drawing experience an advantage.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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.
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.
Self-reflection is an important part of learning in art education and creative practice. You will be encouraged to engage with reflecting on your own work and progress as part of the learning process in Visual Arts.
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.
Amanda Bracken started her teaching career at the Serpentine Gallery, researching, developing and delivering projects to a range of audiences, which illuminated the art work on show in the exhibition programme, including a teachers’ pack for the Bridget Riley exhibition. She also gained substantial experience developing projects and workshops within the education departments of The Drawing Room, the Estorick collection, The National Portrait Gallery and the Victoria Miro Gallery in particular Alice Neel: Portraits. Bracken holds an MA in Fine Art gained at Central Saint Martins. She also holds a BA in joint Art/Dance and a PGCE gained at Goldsmiths College London. Brackens paintings, drawings and installations have been selected for exhibitions in London and nationally including the Drawing Room, ASC Gallery, C and C Gallery and Atkinson Gallery Millfield. ‘I am interested in colour and form in all its permutations and the qualities of the substance of painting and drawing-the figurative, the abstract and the in-between. Citylit has a diverse Art department where I can use my experience to stimulate students to develop their own work'.
Kim ScoullerSee moreSee less
Kim is an award winning figurative artist. She studied Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee (1999-2003) and the Royal Drawing School (2007-09). Her studio work focuses on painting directly from subjects such as still-life and the figure and portrait. Working predominantly in oils she uses gestural paint handling to seek out the emergent subject. Kim exhibits her work regularly and has had work selected for the BP Portrait Award, Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Lynn Painter Stainers Prize, ING Discerning Eye and more recently the Scottish Portrait Award (2019). She is the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships, most notably in 2005 she was the winner of the Aspect Prize, one of Scotland’s most prestigious painting prizes for emerging artists. An experienced art tutor, Kim has taught students of all ages and levels at institutions such as The Royal Drawing School, Candid Arts Trust, Central Saint Martins, London Drawing and London College of Communication. Website: www.kimscouller.com Instagram: @kim_scouller
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.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/drawing-and-painting-portraits-traditional-techniques2490052Drawing and painting portraits: traditional techniqueshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/o/sophievand_by_andrea_2.jpg349349GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Painting/Courses/Art & design/Painting/Life painting & portraiture22851132191619251228511321916This structured course introduces traditional approaches to drawing then painting portraits from observation of the life model. Suitable for all levels but some previous drawing experience an advantage.00https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/d/r/drawing_01.pnghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/l/_/l_jones_portraitv2_7.jpg3067645Drawing and painting portraits: traditional techniques349349https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/o/sophievand_by_andrea_2_4.jpgInStockEveningThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-01-14T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJan 2027Art & designVH163349349Drawing and painting portraits: traditional techniques279227349Amanda Bracken, Kim Scoullerdrawing-and-painting-portraits-traditional-techniques/vh163-2627This structured course introduces traditional approaches to drawing then painting portraits from observation of the life model. Suitable for all levels but some previous drawing experience an advantage.0000-Available|2027-01-14 00:00:00The 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.This structured course introduces traditional approaches to drawing then painting portraits from observation of the life model. Suitable for all levels but some previous drawing experience an advantage.<ul><li>proportion</li><li>rotation of the head</li><li>methods for improving observational portrait painting</li><li>tonal painting for portraits</li><li>colour mixing in paint for portraits</li><li>taking inspiration from traditional portrait artists.</li></ul><ul><li>draw the structure of the head from a range of viewpoints</li><li>use light and shade to develop form in the human head</li><li>mix colour palettes to denote temperature and hue for skin tones</li><li>employ a range of approaches to brush application</li><li>develop a portrait in paint informed by observational drawing</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels - some previous drawing experience would be an advantage.</p><p>You will learn by practical demonstration, looking at the work of portrait artists, one to one tuition, tutor demos and group discussion.</p><p>Self-reflection is an important part of learning in art education and creative practice. You will be encouraged to engage with reflecting on your own work and progress as part of the learning process in Visual Arts.</p><p>All basic materials will be provided.</p>Portraits 1, progressing to Portraits 2 which run throughout the year. Year of the Figure and Portrait.PaintingLife painting & portraiturevirtual279349227VH163NONEThu14/01/27 - 18/02/2718:00 - 21:0018:0021:006 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetAmanda Bracken, Kim ScoullerBeginnersAvailable courses2027-01-14T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2027Art & design349349Drawing and painting portraits: traditional techniquesdrawing-and-painting-portraits-traditional-techniques/vh163-2627This structured course introduces traditional approaches to drawing then painting portraits from observation of the life model. Suitable for all levels but some previous drawing experience an advantage.0000-Available|2027-01-14 00:00:00The 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.This structured course introduces traditional approaches to drawing then painting portraits from observation of the life model. Suitable for all levels but some previous drawing experience an advantage.<ul><li>proportion</li><li>rotation of the head</li><li>methods for improving observational portrait painting</li><li>tonal painting for portraits</li><li>colour mixing in paint for portraits</li><li>taking inspiration from traditional portrait artists.</li></ul><ul><li>draw the structure of the head from a range of viewpoints</li><li>use light and shade to develop form in the human head</li><li>mix colour palettes to denote temperature and hue for skin tones</li><li>employ a range of approaches to brush application</li><li>develop a portrait in paint informed by observational drawing</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels - some previous drawing experience would be an advantage.</p><p>You will learn by practical demonstration, looking at the work of portrait artists, one to one tuition, tutor demos and group discussion.</p><p>Self-reflection is an important part of learning in art education and creative practice. You will be encouraged to engage with reflecting on your own work and progress as part of the learning process in Visual Arts.</p><p>All basic materials will be provided.</p>Portraits 1, progressing to Portraits 2 which run throughout the year. Year of the Figure and Portrait.PaintingLife painting & portraitureconfigurable
