Portrait Drawing Intensive: Drawing from a Live Model (5-Day Workshop)

Learn to draw the portrait from a live model in this focused one-week studio intensive. Through guided demonstrations and extended studio practice, students will learn a clear, step-by-step approach used by traditional artists to achieve likeness through expressive portraiture.

Each day begins with a short demonstration introducing key concepts such as proportion, structure, and the organization of light and shadow. Students then spend the majority of the session drawing directly from a live model, receiving individualized guidance and feedback from the instructor.

Over the week, participants will develop a sustained portrait, progressing from a simple block-in to refined forms and values. The class concludes with a group critique where students reflect on their work, discuss challenges, and identify strategies for continued improvement. Students will leave the course with a completed portrait and a repeatable process for approaching longer studies from life.

Note: This course is open to adult learners of all experience levels who want to strengthen their observational skills and gain confidence in portrait drawing through a supportive studio environment.

Supplies: Students should choose one drawing medium to work with for the duration of the course, charcoal or graphite pencil, and come prepared with one of the following supplies lists.

Graphite (Pencil)
- High-quality artist pencils (recommended: Staedtler) in a range from 4H-6B
- Good quality Paper such as Strathmore 400 series in 18x24 size
- Kneaded eraser
- White block eraser
- Medium-grit sanding block or sandpaper pad
- Razor blade or craft knife for sharpening pencils

Charcoal
- Nitram Charcoal sticks in H, HB, B, Extra Soft (Vine)
- Heavy duty good quality paper such as Stonehenge, or Strathmore 500 series Charcoal paper
- Medium-grit sanding block or sandpaper pad
- Kneaded eraser
- White block eraser
- Shop towels