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Portrait

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Tuesday, 10:00 to 13:00
21 April 2026 – 07 July 2026


Course Code: AD0032
Tutor: Vincent Milne
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 12 weeks
Full fee: £468
Concession fee: £290

Enrol
  • Course Overview

    Explore portraiture working from the clothed figure. The course is for students interested in portraiture and in learning the subtle art of drawing and painting people. The aim is to draw and paint portrait, with students working from the model, drawings and photographs.

    The course is for students interested in portraiture and in learning the subtle art of drawing and painting people.

    The aim is to draw and paint portraits. Students work from the model drawings and photographs. The first few weeks of term students will draw from the model using dry and wet materials (pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink and pen, watercolour etc).

    The first few weeks we will draw using suitable materials. You can also develop an understanding of the different moods of people and how to portray them. Students will be encouraged to develop their own response to each model with direction and feedback from the tutor. We will also be looking at work made by other artists past and present.

    Students may work in the materials of their choice. The majority of poses are for a number of weeks making painting a definite possibility.

    By the end of the course you will be to:

    Observe the model, analysing ways of perception and expression.

    Draw from the model using tone and line drawing

    Mix colour accurately from observation

    Understand the internal structure and composition of a painting

    Have an overview of other portraits from the past and present

    Know how to make proportions relate by using simple measuring techniques

  • What will it be like?

    A three or four week pose of the model is set for the students to paint and draw. Also some very quick poses are sometimes used to keep the model and student stimulated and open to capturing changes of expression and mood.

    The students draw and paint the model from easels or donkeys (wooden chairs), the tutor discusses the progress of the piece with students individually; group and individual tuition and sometimes group discussions take place during and after the morning's work.

    Reference to portraits made by various artists will be made where relevant.

    By the tutor during the term and on a weekly basis. Students also assess their own progress once or twice during the course.

  • What else do I need to buy or do?

    Anything up to £5 for drawing materials; painting materials £20 to £50 for oils/acrylics/gouache.

    The aim is to draw and paint portraits. Students work from the model drawings and photographs. The first few weeks of term students will draw from the model using dry and wet materials (pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink and pen, watercolour etc).

    The first few weeks we will draw using suitable materials. You can also develop an understanding of the different moods of people and how to portray them. Students will be encouraged to develop their own response to each model with direction and feedback from the tutor. We will also be looking at work made by other artists past and present.

    Students may work in the materials of their choice. The majority of poses are for a number of weeks making painting a definite possibility.

  • What could it lead to?

    Paint portraits/draw portraits. Develop skills through other courses at The Mary Ward Centre and elsewhere including Foundation and Pre-foundation art course. Advice will be given.

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Drawing: Absolute Beginners

Monday, 14:00 to 17:00
12 January 2026 – 23 March 2026

Course Detail This course is now full
Course Code: AD0016
Tutor: Anna Robertson
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 11 weeks
Full fee: £327
Concession fee: £164

Portrait

Tuesday, 10:00 to 13:00
13 January 2026 – 24 March 2026

Course Detail
Course Code: AD0031
Tutor: Vincent Milne
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 11 weeks
Full fee: £441
Concession fee: £278

Portrait L1 & L2

Tuesday, 18:00 to 21:00
13 January 2026 – 24 March 2026

Course Detail This course is now full
Course Code: AD0037
Tutor: John Close
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 11 weeks
Full fee: £381
Concession fee: £218
Tuesday, 10:00 to 13:00
21 April 2026 – 07 July 2026


Course Code: AD0032
Tutor: Vincent Milne
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 12 weeks
Full fee: £468
Concession fee: £290

Enrol

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