Capturing Personality and Form: 1-day Portrait Drawing workshop with Julia Hawkins: Leatherhead, Surrey

Drawing is about a continuous, lively process of direct observation and inner dialogue with yourself rather than executing a polished illustration. Join NEAC artist Julia Hawkins in an exploration of drawing the human face.

Instead of relying on a rigid formula, we will focus on the simplicity of mark-making - learning to see the head as an arrangement of shifting shapes, silhouettes, and underlying geometry. We will be seeking the vital gesture and human character rather than a dead, photographic accuracy. Over the course of the day, we will be building one sustained, deeply considered drawing from life, where the main challenge is learning how to hold onto that initial, lively spark of fascination throughout your work.

Two models will be sitting for us throughout the day, providing an excellent opportunity to study different facial structures, lighting setups, and angles within a single, immersive composition. Pencil is often abandoned in favour of charcoal. Pencil offers many possibilities for achieving both light, grey drawings and soft, contrasting results. You will be able to appreciate the wide potential of simple graphite in this session.