Portraits 1
Choose a start date
- Course Code: VH497
- Dates: 09/09/24 - 11/11/24
- Time: 18:00 - 21:00
- Taught: Mon, Evening
- Duration: 10 sessions (over 10 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Brian Sayers
Course Code: VH497
Choose a start date
Duration: 10 sessions (over 10 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?
Through practical experience we will learn how to represent people in drawing and painting. We will also develop your knowledge of the basic skills and key concepts involved in making portraits. This includes learning about scale and proportion in relation to the human head, use of lighting, tone and colour, and a chance to experiment with drawing, painting and mixed media.
What will we cover?
Working directly from the model we will make observational studies and interpretations. We will learn about composition and key themes from the traditions of portrait making. This will include the option of self-portrait projects and using narrative references in making portraits.
We will look at how information can be gathered through sketching, and brought together in a finished piece. There will be short structured projects around improving observational drawing throughout the course, as well as developing longer studies.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Draw and paint from observation of the portrait subject
• Use painting techniques relevant to portraits
• Experiment with a range of viewpoints
• Respond to the work of a variety of portrait artists.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Ideal for beginners but also mixed level ie those who have some drawing experience but have never worked with portrait before
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The class will be primarily practical with one-to-one tuition, exercises, demonstrations, informal talks and group discussions. Optional homework tasks.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All basic materials are provided. The tutor will advise you if you wish to buy additional art equipment.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Portraits 2.
Brian has taught painting and drawing for over 30 years in a variety of different places and at different levels. He graduated from the Slade School of Art in 1978 and has continued to practise painting ever since. He has had over 10 one-person shows in the UK and exhibited in Germany and the USA. Although still life has been a principle interest, he has completed a number of portraits and exhibited 3 times in the National Portrait Gallery and is often in the RA Summer Exhibition. Brian particularly likes to include knowledge of art historical contexts with practical work to extend students' methods and approaches. He aims to focus on painting from diverse periods and cultures to develop individual ideas. When teaching he hopes to encourage a liveliness of approach with a solid understanding of technical issues involved. This can, in his opinion, lead on to a more confident, personal approach.
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.
