A creative portrait drawing course exploring how artists observe, sketch, and interpret people through expressive drawing techniques and tonal studies.
Across the three sessions, young creatives will learn how to better understand facial proportions, light and shadow, texture, mark-making, and composition while developing stronger observational drawing skills and greater confidence drawing portraits.
Working together through guided demonstrations, drawing exercises, and creative experimentation, we’ll gradually build up portraits through sketchbook studies and tonal exploration before developing more individual and expressive outcomes as confidence grows throughout the course.
Rather than focusing on hyper-realistic perfection, the course encourages young creatives to properly observe what they are looking at, experiment creatively, and develop portraits with personality, atmosphere, and individuality.
Working primarily with charcoal, white chalk, and toned paper allows students to explore drawing in a slightly more expressive and artist-led way while learning important tonal techniques used by many professional artists.
Young creatives will leave the course with:
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a stronger understanding of portrait proportions and facial structure
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improved confidence drawing from observation
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experience using tonal drawing materials such as charcoal and chalk
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sketchbook studies and developed portrait drawings from across the course
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greater confidence creating expressive and personal artwork
Materials
Suggested materials:
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Charcoal
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White chalk or white pastel
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Off-white or toned paper
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Sketchbook or cartridge paper
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Drawing pencils
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Rubber and sharpener
How Online Sessions Work
Sessions take place live on Zoom in a calm and supportive small-group environment.
Young creatives are welcome to interact as much or as little as feels comfortable for them. Some love chatting and sharing ideas throughout the session, while others prefer to quietly draw along and listen in. The Zoom chat box is always a lovely way for everyone to ask questions, contribute, and feel involved in a way that feels comfortable to them.
Perfect for young creatives who enjoy drawing people and want to strengthen both their technical drawing skills and creative confidence in a thoughtful and supportive environment.