Course Overview: In this four-week course, you’ll be guided through the underlying structures of the human head and face, building an understanding of facial proportions and feature placement before focusing on individual features in greater detail. Working from both frontal and profile poses, you’ll develop a strong foundation in observation and construction.

Using a limited colour palette, painting exercises will focus on mixing and laying down skin tones, gradually adding features and interpreting a variety of hair types and styles. Along the way, you’ll explore lighting scenarios and compositional choices that bring depth, balance, and expression to your portraits. By the end of the course, you’ll have gained the fundamental knowledge needed to continue exploring and refining your portrait practice.

Skill Level: All levels welcome

Dates:

Four weekly sessions
Wednesday, April 8, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wednesday, April 15, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Wednesday, April 22, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Wednesday, April 29, 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Important Notes:

This course takes place at the Belleville Campus: 376 Wallbridge Loyalist Rd, Belleville, ON K8N 5B9
HST is included in the price.
Campus information, including room number, parking, directions, etc., will be provided closer to the start date.
A refund (less $20.00 administrative fee) will be issued if you withdraw from a class at least seven days before the start date of the class. After this deadline, no refunds will be issued.
If a course is cancelled by Loyalist College, registered students will be provided with a full refund. College decisions to cancel a course will be made one week before the start date of the class.
If you have any questions or issues, please reach out to art@loyalistcollege.com

Supply List:

Paints

Any watercolour tube paints you have OR these suggested individual tubes:
Yellows Cadmium yellow (or any warm yellow)
Reds Permanent Rose
Cadmium Red or Cadmium Red light
Phthalo Blue or Prussian Blue
Ultramarine Blue
Brown & grey Burnt Sienna
Payne’s Grey

OR

Student quality set: Staedtler,12 tubes, Staples, approx. $13.99: https://www.staples.ca/products/1564348-en-staedtler-water-colour-paint-12-pack

Dry Media

Graphite pencils (2H and HB) or any pencils you have
Graphite stick (Optional)
Wolff's Carbon or General's charcoal pencil, 4B or 6B (Optional)

Brushes

Watercolour brushed have short handles
#10 or #12 (plus any small round brushes you have)
#6 Rigger
3/4" flat brush
1" flat hog hair natural bristle brush (Can use a basting brush from a grocery store)

OR

Crayola sets, approx. $5.00 each, (set of 4 rounds, 4 flats): https://www.staples.ca/products/1440514-en-crayola-round-paint-brushes-4-pack

Paper

Blank journal or small sketch pad
18"x 24" newsprint pad (approx. 18" x 24" OR cartridge pad)
Watercolour paper: 1 sheet (22”x 30”, 140 lb.) cold or hot press (we tear into small pieces)
OR a medium sized WC pad (avoid expensive watercolour block)

MISC

Water containers (two, large plastic)
Large white palette or white plate
18" x 24” lightweight drawing board and clip
Painting board approx. 12x16”
1"Masking tape
Ruler
White eraser
White paper towel

Optional

Small spray bottle
Tortillon (blending stick
Portfolio (18 x 24" cardboard folder, taped at the bottom)
Old, scrap watercolour paper
Old facecloth to store brushes

Portraiture: Drawing & Watercolour by Marta Scythes