Portrait Workshop

Improve your portraiture skills! Students will complete numerous head studies and improve their knowledge of proper head construction. The second half of the workshop will allow students to focus on a project of their choice in whatever medium they choose. We will discuss how to create and/or select an appropriate reference photograph during class.

Detailed Schedule

Week 1: Introduction + Basic Form of Head

• Introduction to drawing materials, and anatomy of the head. Step-by-step construction of the head from basic shapes. Understanding measurements from various viewpoints. Introduction to the features of the face. Differences in gender.
• Materials: Charcoal or graphite, paper, drawing boards.

Week 2: Head Tilt/Rotation & Breaking down facial features

• Head anatomy, thinking about the head & neck in 3D, and breaking individual facial features down into separate pieces. Detailed drawings of the head and facial features from multiple angles. Understanding how features connect to each other. Beginning to observe expressions.

Week 3: Putting it all together, Head “Types” & Characterization

• Putting it all together. Studying muscles of the face as they pertain to movement + expression. Understanding how to observe rhythm, spacing, and expression. Combining construction, lighting, and expression to create characterization (aka drawing our first portraits of famous faces). Begin a longer study of your choice for the final project.
• Materials: Charcoal, graphite, colored pencil, paper, drawing boards, canvas/panel + paint. Make sure to ask students about their prior experience with materials, in order to prep for next week’s lesson.

Week 4: Final Project Part I

• Continuing discussion of character, expression, and facial feature variety. Note how face types can be derived of subtle differences from what might be considered the human “average”.
• Studying lighting on the head & facial features. Mixing for different skin tones and hair colors. Working to establish a likeness.
• Materials: Students may select their own materials. If students are not familiar with painting, it may be a good idea to draw on toned paper or with colored pencil, rather than attempt a new medium.

Week 5: Final Project Part II

• Maintaining a likeness. Learning to add exaggeration where necessary. Mixing skin tones and color temperature, putting finishing touches on final projects.
• Materials: Mixed