Introduction Life and Portrait Drawing

Required qualifications

No qualifications or experienced needed but more experienced learners will have the opportunity to develop their skills further.

What skills will I develop?

As line is a fundamental feature of drawing the aim of the course is to develop the learner’s drawing skills with particular emphasis on line, while working from direct observation of the unclothed figure. Poses will vary from week to week.

Learners will be provided with guidance on such aspects as the expressive use of line, of measuring and proportions, of the contoured line alone being able to express the effect of 3D form, of hatching and cross hatching and of exploring colour with line.

Portrait drawing and painting is fascinating precisely because it’s about studying us as individuals and what we look like. You will have the opportunity to learn how to apply construction techniques to establish facial features within a coherent unique and unified structure. In the process you will learn about drawing and painting techniques, of the different approaches and the use of different materials. You will be taught how the eyes, the nose, the mouth have a relationship with each other and to the whole as determined by the skull, muscles and skin. Understanding the head as a 3D form is essential to achieve a sense of realism.

Careers

On completion of the course learners may either consolidate their skills by doing drawing and painting at intermediate level, diversify onto related art subjects like pottery and sculpture or progress onto a higher-level course and onto gaining qualifications in art and design.

English and maths

Although the course is about visual communication, learners will learn key terms, encouraged to use appropriate vocabulary and to discuss their work and that of others. Learners will also learn about measuring, proportioning and perspective.

Other important information

Learners will need to provide their own art materials. A basic list would include the following:

• A3 cartridge paper
• A3 watercolour paper (350gsm/150lb)
• A3 tinted sugar paper
• Pencils HB-9B and rubber
• Box of soft pastels
• Box of watercolour paint (basic set being Reeves)
• Watercolour brush, (round, size 10)
• Set of Acrylic paint
• Acrylic brush flat, (5mm, 10mm, 15mm)
• Black drawing pen
• Palette
• Plus Access to the internet