Drawing Portraits with Jake Spicer

At Draw we run affordable online and in-person drawing, painting and printmaking classes, open to everybody. We run online life classes and printmaking-from-home courses for our international drawing community, as well as our in-person programme at venues in Brighton & Hove.

Draw Brighton

Come join artist and author Jake Spicer for a two-day portrait drawing workshop, suitable for all abilities.

In-Person Events

At our main studio in central Brighton, we run weekly drop-in life drawing classes for all abilities,  alongside a programme of tutored drawing, painting and printmaking courses bringing in Guest Tutors from across the country.

Weekend Courses In-Person

Treat yourself to a weekend course here at the Draw studio in Brighton  - we have a full programme covering everything from portraiture to watercolour, urban sketching to monotypes.  There's something for everyone and we hope to see you soon!

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 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jakespicerart" title="https://www.instagram.com/jakespicerart" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Jake Spicer</a> 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 &amp; 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 <a href="https://www.patreon.com/DrawBrighton" title="https://www.patreon.com/DrawBrighton" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Draw Patreon</a> 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 &amp; 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 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/256930114319361/" title="https://www.facebook.com/groups/256930114319361/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Facebook group</a> and tag  <a href="https://www.instagram.com/draw_brighton" title="https://www.instagram.com/draw_brighton" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">@draw_brighton</a> and #drawbrighton on Instagram.   Safety &amp; accessibility  If you have any accessibility needs, please do let us know beforehand on <a href="mailto:info@draw-brighton.co.uk" title="mailto:info@draw-brighton.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">info@draw-brighton.co.uk</a> 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 &amp; accessible toilets on floors 4 &amp; 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: <ul><li>Monitored ventilation (aiming for &lt;900ppm CO2) </li></ul><ul><li>Air purification with HEPA filters </li></ul><ul><li>Sick pay for our freelance life models </li></ul><ul><li>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! </li></ul> 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 <a href="mailto:info@draw-brighton.co.uk" title="mailto:info@draw-brighton.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">info@draw-brighton.co.uk</a> to discuss the options for transferring your place to another attendee.