Month 1.

Mindset, mindset and mindset

The most important and possibly the most difficult part of your journey is understanding how you think about making a portrait.

We will examine your expectations, your experience and your current skills.

We will discuss how you should approach external influences, from other people's work to techniques.  

We will establish why you want to make portraits.  

In the 4th week you will complete your “Mindset Statement” this will solidify everything you’ve learnt. You will end up with a clearer understanding of how you think about and approach making a portrait. 

( you will not be making portraits in this first section )

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Month 2.

Connection and response

Once you have the right mindset you can learn the importance of connecting with the subject. To empathise with their emotional state (which is the secret to capturing their essence).

We will discuss various subjects and examine their mood. 

We will discuss and begin to make marks in response to their mood.

We will explore how your treatment of the portrait might change depending on your connection and response.

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Month 3.

Putting everything into practice

Now you will be ready to start making portraits:


I’ll show you how to set up your working space.

I’ll share with you my “3 Dot” technique to quickly get things in the right place.

I’ll explain the importance of relationships. 

You will learn to draw with shapes and tone. 

I’ll explain the importance of “Tonal Balance”. 

I will show you how to use charcoal and what to consider. 

You will produce a number of portraits and we’ll discuss your process, the outcome and how you feel about them.

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