The Contemporary Portrait

Looking at a broad range of contemporary and traditional artists who have been fascinated by the human face, this class will explore the portrait through drawing.

Drawing a Head

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Course details

Dates

20 October – 17 November 2025

Times

18:00 – 21:00

Duration

5 sessions

Fees

£162.00 Concessions available

Location

Online

Tutors

Clara Drummond

Jessica Jane Charleston

Will Powers Double Features

Overview

Students will be encouraged to experiment with materials and techniques ranging from charcoal to ink washes and colour. We will investigate a variety of approaches to mark making, considering both linear and tonal approaches. We will examine drawn portraits including those made by Van Gogh, Lucian Freud, Kathe Kollowitz, Frank Auerbach and David Hockney.

We can create portraits of those in our homes, draw self-portraits, and work from other artist’s portraits. Tutors will set exercises exploring specific themes and ideas to guide students throughout the sessions.

Who is it for

Beginners welcome. No experience of drawing required.

What’s provided

For our online courses, you will receive prior to the start of the course access to our Padlet Noticeboard where you will be given course details, material lists and some references, as well as our Padlet Gallery where you will be able to upload and comment on work created during the course.

What to bring

For our online courses, you must provide your own materials. Feel free to use any that you would like to during classes, however other suggestions may be posted on the Padlet noticeboard throughout the course by tutors. This is a suggested list of what may be needed:

Drawing Pencils
Conté Crayons
Pastels
Ink Pens
Coloured Pencils
Putty and Hard Erasers
Pencil Sharpener
Sketchbook

Concessions

We offer a range of discounts. To apply, email admin@royaldrawingschool.org with the required proof. Please wait for confirmation before booking.

Available discounts

NHS Staff: 20%
Send a photo of your NHS staff badge.
Full-time Fine Art BA Students: 75%
Students on design or applied arts degrees may also be eligible. Send your student ID and proof of enrolment.
Primary and Secondary Art Teachers: 50%
Send a letter from your headteacher or head of art department.
Jobseekers: 50%
Send a recent DWP or JobCentre Plus letter confirming you receive Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit (if out of work). Appointment booklets are not accepted.
Disability Benefit Recipients: 50%
Send proof that you currently receive this allowance.
Tower Hamlets and Hackney Residents: 25% (Shoreditch courses only)
Send a copy of your most recent council tax bill.
Tower Hamlets and Hackney Businesses: 25% (Shoreditch courses only)
Send a staff ID, business card or a letter from your line manager.
Over 60s: 10%
Send a photo ID as proof of age.
Alumni: Postgraduate Programme or Foundation Year: 50% off short courses
Online Drawing Development Year: 50% off online short courses

Before you apply

Documents must be dated within the last 6 months (or 12 months for council tax)
Your name must be clearly visible
Accepted file formats: PDF, JPG, DOC or DOCX

All our courses are subsidised.

Tutors

Clara Drummond

Tutor, Drawing Year Alumni, 2005

Jessica Jane Charleston

Tutor, Drawing Year Alumni, 2017