Portrait Drawing from Life: Develop Expression and Style in 5 Weeks

This second 5-week course builds on the foundations introduced in Part 1 and shifts towards a more expressive and personal approach to portrait drawing.

Working from a live model, participants will explore mark-making, edge control, composition, and character. The emphasis moves from “getting it right” to developing confidence, fluency, and individuality in drawing.

This course is ideal for those who have completed Part 1 or have some prior experience and wish to deepen their practice.

Teaching Approach

Sessions remain structured but allow greater space for experimentation and interpretation. Short demonstrations introduce key concepts such as expressive line, variation of edges, and selective detail.

Participants are encouraged to:

• take risks in their mark-making
• simplify and suggest rather than describe
• develop a personal visual language

Individual feedback supports both technical refinement and creative exploration.

What You’ll Learn

You will:

• Use line and tone more expressively
• Develop confidence with looser, more fluid drawing
• Understand how to create focus through edges and contrast
• Capture character and presence rather than just likeness
• Explore a more personal approach to portraiture

By the end of the course, you will have produced a body of more resolved and expressive portrait drawings, with greater confidence in your mark-making and decision-making.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Summerhall, 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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