Portrait Drawing — 5-Week Course at Summerhall

Course Overview

This five-week evening course offers a focused introduction to observational portrait drawing, taught in an encouraging studio environment at Summerhall. Working each week from a professional life model, students will explore proportion, structure, tone, and expression using traditional drawing techniques.

Suitable for beginners and those with some experience, the course places emphasis on clear, practical teaching combined with plenty of hands-on drawing time. Students will leave with stronger observational skills, greater confidence, and a small portfolio of work created directly from life.

What to expect

• A friendly, relaxed studio atmosphere within Summerhall’s arts community
• Tuition from an experienced portrait tutor
• A professional life model each week
• Demonstrations, guided exercises, and individual feedback
• Techniques covering proportion, anatomy, gesture, tone, edges, and likeness
• Opportunities to develop one sustained portrait drawing per session
• All levels welcome — supportive teaching tailored to the individual
• Bring your own sketchbook, paper and preferred drawing materials; drawing boards provided

Course outline:
14th January: Proportion & structure
21st January: Light & shadow
28th January: Features & expression
4th February: Composition & likeness
11th February: Long-pose final portrait

Location: Dean's office, 1Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL
Time: Wednesdays, 18:30–20:30