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Gillian's very popular new course Portraits - Your Art, Your Way is now available as a self study course! Wait no longer! You can register now and receive almost instant access to all of the course content. Work your way through the course at your own pace. The self study course is also available as part of a bundle package together with Gillian's other courses.
INVESTMENT FOR THE SELF STUDY COURSE: £125
Click here to convert this amount to your currency.
What Portraiture Means to Me
Whilst I incorporate various subject matter into my artwork, portraits are an opportunity to work with the familiar and the mysterious all at the same time. As artists, we are all curious, I think, and the challenge of representing the complexities of the human face and form are what keeps me coming back to the easel again and again.
I paint a little of myself into each and every portrait I create. So that whether I am working from life, reference imagery or my imagination, there is an urge to express what is deep inside in order to connect with the world around me. Each portrait becomes a part of my own unique experience.

What are you seeking to express when you create portraits?
A deeper understanding of form?
Expression and emotion?
Exploring narrative?
Connection?
There are endless possibilities and in this course I hope you explore all of the above and more in order to create portraits that express all that is inside of YOU.
Your Art, Your Way
I am so excited about my newest long ecourse that focuses on the elements that I feel are important to creating unique and expressive portraits.
Course Content
This course incorporates video tutorials, prompts and written exercises that will enable you to explore different ways of portraying the human form – in particular the portrait.
Working from reference imagery and from life, you will tackle the fundamentals of portraiture and dig deep into further exploration in order to expand your own potential as an artist. By studying master artists, you can also analyze their choices and aesthetic style in order to discover more about the unique elements you can bring to your own art.
Whilst you will be working on techniques and skills, you will also focus on finding your voice by incorporating ideas and possibilities for individual study and development. Materials are wonderful to explore but at the end of the day, it is the artist that is key – your passion, your ideas, your experience, your creativity.
Inspired by my studies at Art College and my own growth and development as an artist in the years since, I aim to enable you to challenge yourself to create your art, your way!
Each Week:
You will draw and paint in order to create expressive and dynamic portraits.
You will expand your knowledge of portraiture by studying master artists.
You will work on exercises that will explore the things that inspire you as an artist.
You will find your own language and purpose in portraiture.
You will experiment with a focus on self expression.
Portraits – Your Art, Your Way…
Enables You To:
Stop worrying about perfection and just begin!
Paint from the heart
Expand your knowledge of art history and style
Delve deeper into your own art practice
Grasp techniques so that you can paint in your own style
Have enough ideas for portraits for future work for a while to come
Practice, Practice, Practice
Designed For:
Artists who wish to progress further in their art journey and to create unique art that represents their distinct aesthetic
Students who want an in-depth learning experience that enables growth and discovery
Students who wish to gain confidence in their own work
Students who love being challenged
Students who take responsibility for their own learning under my guidance
Course Schedule
Self Study
Lesson 1: Shadows and light
Lesson 2: Proportion and Exaggeration
Lesson 3: Colour and Expression
Lesson 4: Composition and Narrative

Self Study Registration
Gillian's very popular new course Portraits - Your Art, Your Way is now available as a self study course! Wait no longer! You can register now and receive almost instant access to all of the course content. Work your way through the course at your own pace. The self study course is also available as part of a bundle package together with Gillian's other courses.
INVESTMENT FOR THE SELF STUDY COURSE: £125
Click here to convert this amount to your currency.
What Students are Saying

Materials
You will use simple drawing materials such as charcoal, conte and pastels, and acrylics. I also give a short demonstration in oils. However, the purpose of my demonstrations is not to make you a slave to the materials I am using but to encourage you to work with the materials that best enable you to create the portraits you wish to create. So you can use anything you like!
The Materials List is filled with suggested items only based on the demonstrations. If you have studied on one of my courses already, it is likely you will already have most of the materials. The materials list is available after registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this course different from Unearth Gather Create and Drawn to Expression?
Is this a drawing course or a painting course?
Why are class numbers limited for live courses?
How is course content delivered?
Upon purchasing the course, you will be sent a confirmation via email. You will then be sent the link to the classroom site and password. If you have registered for the course and have not heard anything within 24 hours, please check your spam and junk email folders. If you still have not received confirmation, please contact me at help@gillianleesmithartschool.com.
How long will I have access to course content?
Can I download the course videos and how do I download them?
What do I require to access and participate in the course?
Do I need to be online or access the course at particular times?
How do I connect with you as a tutor and the other students?
You may also connect with other students of each course by using a certain # and posting your images on Instagram. Specific information is included in the FAQ for each individual course.
Can I share/sell the artwork I make while taking your courses?
Can I share content, lessons, videos or images from the course site?
Should you require further clarification or have additional questions, please contact me using the form at the bottom of this page.