PORTRAIT IN FOCUS: Capturing the Head in Graphite with Susannah Pal

PORTRAIT IN FOCUS: Capturing the Head in Graphite with Susannah Pal

Discover the Art of Structure and Tone in Portrait Drawing

Dive into the world of portraiture with Susannah Pal in an intense, immersive course centred on capturing a single, highly detailed portrait head. This course emphasizes the structure and tonal depth essential to portraying the entire head in graphite, guiding you through each step in a slow, intentional process. Ideal for all skill levels.

Recordings will be provided after each session – you will have access for two months to rewatch, pause and rewind.

What You’ll Gain:

• Build a Strong Foundation: Learn about the underlying anatomical head structure to help you with future portrait drawings. Refine proportions and alignment.
• Master Tonal Techniques: Achieve depth and dimensionality through a variety of mark making techniques, using only graphite to model the subtle shifts of light and shadow.
• Focus on Detail: From the contours of the skull to delicate transitions in skin tone, you’ll learn how to create an intense drawing through tonal layering.
• One Model, One Portrait: Work with one model, allowing you to dive deeply into the subtleties of expression and form over the course of the class.

Join Susannah Pal for this rare opportunity to focus intensively on the structure and tonality of a complete portrait. With live demonstrations, dedicated guidance, and access to recordings, this course offers a concentrated, meditative drawing experience.

A week before the first session you will receive an email including:

• PDF Reference Image for intensive study
• Essential Materials List
• Zoom log-in details
• One-month access to session recordings

Materials You’ll Need:

• A good quality smooth drawing paper. At least 190 gsm.
• A good eraser – (recommended- Faber Castell Dust Free)
• A few soft pencils (3B – 7B)
• Tissue for blending
• Tracing paper
• A decent pencil sharpener
• A teaspoon
• Scissors
• Ruler
• White paper to make a viewfinder. Eg. printing paper

Optional materials

• Electric eraser
• Putty rubber or blue-tack
• A eraser pen eg. Tombow MONO Zero Eraser Fine
•  To achieve darker tones Mars Lumograph Black pencil and Faber-Castell Pitt Graphite Matt Pencil to achieve darker tones

Limited spots available—secure your place to transform your portrait drawing skills!

Wednesdays 27 November / 4/ 11 / 18 December
7-9pm
£99 Early Bird tickets SOLD OUT
£110 Full Price tickets