Description
What we’ll do
Over 12 weeks, we will work through the fundamental principles of portrait drawing and painting in a structured, step-by-step way. Beginning with charcoal drawing and progressing to a painted portrait, the course will help students develop both practical skills and a deeper understanding of how portraits are constructed.
Portrait drawing
- Establishing accurate proportions
- Understanding the structure of the head
- Key anatomical landmarks
- Developing a strong composition
- Organising light and dark values
- Using edges to create form, focus and depth
Portrait painting
- Building a grisaille underpainting
- Working with a limited palette
- Mixing convincing flesh tones
- Developing confident paint handling
- Refining colour, value and edges
- Finishing with glazing and scumbling techniques
The course is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced artists wishing to strengthen their portrait practice.
About the tutor:
Mark Chen is a figurative artist and highly experienced teacher based between Taipei and London. Classically trained in Taiwan and London, with further study at the Repin Academy in St Petersburg, he brings a deep knowledge of drawing, anatomy, composition and painting from life to his teaching.
Working primarily in charcoal, graphite and oil, Mark combines rigorous observation with an exploratory approach to materials, building images through layering, erasure, revision and expressive mark-making.
Sketchbooks are central to his practice, allowing him to test compositions, study value patterns and develop ideas before they become larger works. Mark is known for clear, thoughtful demonstrations and for helping students understand not only how to make a drawing or painting, but how to develop and refine the decisions behind it.
Is this course for you?
If you are looking for a solid grounding in portraiture painting in oils, a deep understanding of the materials and methods of classical artists and a pathway to gain experience and hone your skills, then yes.
Materials required for this course can be found here
