This portraiture course is run by Richard Barnfather. He graduated with BA Hons at Winchester School of Art in 1997. Since then he has intermittently exhibited and sold his artworks in a range of art venues. He recently won the ‘People’s Prize’ for his portrait diptych at the 2023 CAS Open in Andover. For 25 years he has consistently taught art to all age ranges upwards from 16yr olds.
In his words, “During this course my aim will be to help you explore and enjoy the process of engaging with the human face as an exciting subject for making art. The aim is to help you develop self confidence in drawing and painting at your own level and experience. In addition, I will aim to introduce you to a range of interesting and expressive ways of working from observation and your imagination. Portraiture is a truly fascinating genre in art, with a vast history of examples to tap into. We will explore both traditional and experimental examples.”
Each week you will start with a a range of warm-up activities, by drawing observational sketches of the human form in pencil, black pen, chalk or charcoal. Your tutor will discuss helpful ways to approach observational drawings and demonstrate techniques. Some of the techniques will be the tried and tested traditional ones and others will be more experimental. All of the techniques and methods you will be shown will help to give you a wider and deeper experience of art.
There will be some sketching from the human figure, facial construction, exploration of composition, colour, texture, light & shade and how these can then be expressed in paint etc. Participants will also look at the work of other artists and take inspiration from their colours, style and techniques.
This course is suitable for absolute beginners and those with some previous experience.
To prepare for this course, it would be useful for you to spend some time observing and sketching the human face and figure either from family photographs, art books. Really any subject matter will be useful to draw from. This will get you into ‘the flow’ for when you start the course.
The college provides tables, easels and drawing boards for use in class, but materials are not included in the price of the course. Below are the suggested materials that you will need from the second class onwards. However, for the first class you will not need to bring canvases, brushes or paints etc. as we will primarily be drawing. I will discuss how to approach acquiring further materials during that first class.
Some materials to consider:
Please note that if we, as a group, decide to opt for an external model, there will be an additional fee to pay, which is not already included in the course fee. The tutor will advise the amount at the start of the course and this fee is paid direct to the tutor in cash at the first session. As a guide, this amount could be around £30 per student, but this may vary and will depend on student numbers enrolled and how many live model sessions are planned. The tutor will give you a receipt for your payment, but unfortunately we are unable to refund any monies if you are absent from a live model session.
Some of Richard's artworks can be seen here. Note this is the ‘albums’ tab. The artworks are generally grouped together in themes and/or subjects.
Further study, or you could consider enrolling onto one of our other art-based courses.