Drawing Portraits with Jake Spicer

If you’re new to drawing, if you’ve have been avoiding faces in your figure drawing or if you’d just like to develop a more structured approach to drawing portraits, this two-day workshop is for you! Under the expert guidance of artist and author Jake Spicer you’ll be guided through a variety of approaches to drawing the head at a range of angles with the aim of becoming confident tackling a 20 minute portrait from observation. All materials are provided and all abilities are catered for. 

What to Expect 

Day 1: After a morning introduction we’ll start with a series of short warm up drawings, taking an observational approach to drawing heads. We’ll then look at the challenges associated with drawing the head from a variety of angles, taking a structural approach to the face and making drawing from a portrait model.  

Day 2: On day two we’ll look at the features in more detail, making studies of the eyes, nose, mouth and ears with demonstrations from Jake throughout the day. We’ll then bring everything we’ve been exploring together to make a series of 20 minute portraits from a model posing at a variety of different angles.   

What to Bring 
All materials are included with this workshop. You may wish to bring a sketchbook for taking notes and elastic bands or a folder for taking rolled drawings home your drawings.   

Getting to the studio 

Approach New England House from the New England Street side of the building and walk up to the locked blue double doors next to the sign for the ‘Building Manager’s Office’. Wait to be let in or call the number on the door for entry - the studio is on level 5, Unit 1 South, just knock and walk in. There is parking at London Road car park, Elder Place & Trafalgar St car parks; Brighton station is a 5 minute walk from the studio 

Discounts 

The discounted rate is available for anybody on low income, students or Draw Patreon supporters. Become a Draw Patreon supporter by signing up to the Draw Patreon from just £3.60 per month. You’ll get the in-person concessionary rate, plus Patreons get tiered access to a wealth of resources including our extensive artist’s photo reference library, live online life drawing & portrait drawing classes, online recorded courses and much more. Whether you are a Patreon supporter or not, you can post your drawings on the Draw community Facebook group and tag  @draw_brighton and #drawbrighton on Instagram.  

Safety & accessibility  

If you have any accessibility needs, please do let us know beforehand on info@draw-brighton.co.uk and we will do everything we can to make sure you can enjoy the classes here. The building has a wheelchair ramp at the North side of the New England Street entrance and lifts up to level 5 with gender-neutral toilets & accessible toilets on floors 4 & 6 accessed by lift. The studio itself has diffuse overhead panel lights for drawers with a spotlight directed at the model.  

Fixative must be sprayed outside the studio. We keep the studio a safe environment by providing: 

• Monitored ventilation (aiming for <900ppm CO2) 

• Air purification with HEPA filters 

• Sick pay for our freelance life models 

• If you have covid, flu or bad cold symptoms we ask you not to attend - you will receive a refund as well as our appreciation! 

Cancellations  

Bookings are non-refundable. If you are unwell with a contagious illness you may not attend the class - you can request a refund here on Eventbrite and we can issue a full refund, minus Eventbrite's fees. If you are unable to attend, please do get in touch with us on info@draw-brighton.co.uk to discuss the options for transferring your place to another attendee.