Portrait Drawing for Adult
Foundations & Proportions
Beginner
Foundations & Proportions
Level One
Unlock the secrets of form, volume, and classical human head anatomy.
DURATION
180 min (3 hours) each core session
Including 1 hour "The Painter’s Lounge"
12 Sessions | 6 weeks
Schedule
Twice a week:
Mondays | 10:30 am – 1:30 pm (CST)
Wednesdays | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm (CST)
Bonus
"The Painter’s Lounge" (Optional)
+ 30 min PRE-Session
+ 30 min POST-Session
Mode Of Learning
Online | Interactive Live | Microsoft Teams
Instructor Led
Group Size
Small groups
max 15 students, for personal attention
Language
English
Classical Foundations, Taught with Care
You Will Learn
✓ Classical Portrait Foundations
Drawing through structure, not guesswork. Move from “everyday” looking to noticing real shapes, lines, and proportions. You may be surprised how quickly your eyes begin to change as you master the essential first step toward confident drawing.
✓ Anatomy & Proportions
The architecture of the face. Learn the essential structure of the skull, muscles, and key landmarks rooted in traditional artistic knowledge. Drawing becomes more logical—and far more assured.
✓ Volume Study & Cast Drawing
Learning from the Masters. We will study form and light by drawing features from Michelangelo’s David. Using these timeless classical examples allows us to see anatomy and volume clearly, transform simple constructions into three-dimensional volume. Suddenly, flat shapes begin to feel real and alive.
✓ Theoretical Portrait Foundation
Seeing like an Artist. Beyond just "copying" what you see, you will understand the why behind every stroke. This logical skill-building is the core of our structured curriculum.
✓ Professional Standards & Documentation
Turning a canvas into a masterpiece. Master the beautiful traditions of documenting and signing your work. When a painting is properly documented, it officially exists as a professional asset that commands respect from collectors.
Registration Details
Materials
Tool list will be sent immediately upon registration.
Syllabus
You’ll receive a comprehensive week-by-week roadmap.
Certificate
A certificate of completion is awarded to every graduate.
To maintain the prestige of this award, certificates are issued to students who attend at least 10 out of 12 sessions and complete all core Visual Practice & Skill Building assignments. Every certificate is numbered and officially registered in the studio database.
What’s Next
Fundamentals
Level 2
Oil & Color Theory
Building on your foundation, the next level expands your skills in advanced portrait oil paint through the logic of color.
✓ From Form to Color
Once a solid foundation in black-and-white drawing has been laid, the next challenge is to apply this knowledge to working with color—where light, shadow, and halftones now acquire both tonal and chromatic complexity.
✓ The Science of Skin Tones
Learn to mix realistic flesh tones—and discover that skin does not possess a single color that can simply be darkened or lightened. You will gain the insight and confidence to paint portraits using the full spectrum of your palette.
✓ Classic Materials and Techniques
Working with Oil Paints: exploring their unique properties, traditional application methods, Impressionism, and contemporary techniques.
✓ Extended Anatomy & Figure Study
Continue studying human anatomy beyond the head, with special focus on hands and their role in portrait composition.
✓ From Classical to Impressionistic Approaches
At this level, we will create copies of artworks by the greatest portrait masters—both classical and Impressionist—to understand their techniques, and conclude by creating an original portrait, where you make independent artistic decisions based on a photographic reference.
What’s Next
Intermediate
Level 3
Character & Mastery
Your unique artistic voice
✓ Materials and Techniques
Finding your unique artistic voice.
✓ Extended Anatomy & Figure Study
Human body anatomy. Bust, Waist-up format (composition) portrait.
✓ Beyond the portrait.
Portrait in environment, drama of the portrait.
What’s Next
Advanced
Level 4
Figure & Representation
Complex compositions, harmony, figure, and environment.
✓ From Form to Color
Once a solid foundation in black-and-white drawing has been laid, the next challenge is to apply this knowledge to working with color—where light, shadow, and halftones now acquire both tonal and chromatic complexity.
✓ The Science of Skin Tones
Learn to mix realistic flesh tones—and discover that skin does not possess a single color that can simply be darkened or lightened. You will gain the insight and confidence to paint portraits using the full spectrum of your palette.
✓ Figure Study
Human body anatomy. Knee-length, Full length format (composition) portrait.
✓ From Classical to Impressionistic Approaches
At this level, we will create copies of artworks by the greatest portrait masters—both classical and Impressionist—to understand their techniques, and conclude by creating an original portrait, where you make independent artistic decisions based on a photographic reference.
Meet Your Guide
Catherine Snowstorm
