Many beginners believe portrait drawing is the most challenging part of sketching—but it doesn’t have to be. With regular practice and a solid understanding of fundamental techniques, anyone can learn to draw expressive and accurate portraits. Imagine sketching your own portrait and seeing your personality reflected on paper—how empowering would that feel? This intensive four-week course offers a foundational exploration of portrait sketching through pencil and charcoal techniques. Students will learn to build portraits from basic shapes, understanding the underlying structure and anatomy of the face. Emphasis will be placed on proportion, tone, and expression, guiding students to uncover the identity and emotion behind each face. Through progressive exercises, participants will develop the ability to observe and sketch portraits that capture both likeness and character with sensitivity and clarity.
- Foundations of Form – Constructing the Portrait: Introduction to portrait drawing fundamentals; Sketching with basic geometric shapes; Understanding proportions and head angles (profile, semi-profile, and frontal views); Rough sketches and structural refinement using pencil
- Features in Focus – Studying Portrait Elements & Expression: Detailed study of facial features: eyes, nose, lips, and ears; Observing and capturing subtle expressions; Aligning features with structure for accuracy and fluidity
- Personality in Pencil – Tonal Depth and Textural Details: Tonal contrasts to build form and depth; Introduction to charcoal for expressive shading; Capturing individuality through texture, contrast, and highlights
- Light and Mood : Working with dramatic lighting and shadows; How to expose highlight in the portrait; Final touch-ups, highlights, and reflective critiques
- Master Study – Pencil and Charcoal Techniques (Copying a Classical Artwork from an Old Master): Observation Skills – Analysing proportion, form, and composition from the original work; Line and Tone – Exploring contour lines, tonal range, and shading techniques using pencil and charcoal; Material Handling – Practicing control and blending with different pressures and stroke styles; Stylistic Interpretation – Understanding the master's unique mark-making and recreating their expressive style.
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Learn how to construct accurate portrait structures using basic geometric forms and proportional guidelines.
- Practice observational techniques for sketching realistic facial features from different angles.
- Gain an understanding of tonal contrast and how to use light and shadow to model facial volume.
- Develop practical skills in both pencil and charcoal mediums to create expressive and refined portrait drawings.
- Produce a range of portrait sketches exploring various poses, facial expressions, and lighting effects.
- Learn to create portraits that reflect both physical likeness and emotional character.
- Gain confidence in drawing complete portraits from life or reference, applying learned techniques effectively.
- Gain an understanding of how-to bring unity and refinement to a final portrait through highlights, texture, and composition.
- Graphite Pencils: 2B and 4B
- Eraser (kneaded preferred)
- Compressed or vine charcoal sticks
- A3 Sketchbook
- Tracing Paper
IMPORTANT: Please arrive to the first class with all the relevant materials. A lack of materials is not just a handicap to you but to the ability to teach. Materials cost is not included in a course fee. In the event of a course being cancelled WEA cannot be held responsible for the purchase of any course materials. We therefore suggest you purchase your materials closer to the time of the course commencing.
The following stockists are examples of places where you can purchase art materials for your course:
- Art on King: 199-201 King Street, Newtown. Ph: 9516 2342
- Eckersley's Art and Craft Store: 93 York Street, Sydney. Ph: 9299 4151. Also located in various locations throughout Greater Sydney. WEA students receive a 10% discount on materials required for their course at the York Street store when showing their course confirmation email.
- Parkers Art Supplies: 3 Cambridge Street, The Rocks. Ph: 9247 9979
- The Art Scene: 914 Victoria Road, West Ryde. Ph: 9807 6900
- The Sydney Art Store: 11 Salisbury Street, Botany. Ph: 9699 2162
You can also purchase materials from places such as Dymocks, Officeworks, Spotlight, Lincraft or online art suppliers such as Art Shed Online.
