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!

Portraits – Your Art, Your Way…

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

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.