Portrait Drawing in Pan Pastel with Angela Cunningham

About this workshop

In this three-day workshop, students will create a portrait from observation using charcoal and Pan Pastel on toned paper.

Emphasis will be placed on two fundamental stages of the drawing process: accurate block-in and thoughtful form modelling. Students will work from a single three-day pose, allowing time to develop a highly resolved drawing while building patience, focus and observational precision.

The first day will focus on developing the visual tools needed for a strong block-in. Students will strengthen their comparative measuring, shape-seeing and proportional drawing skills while learning a traditional academic approach that builds accuracy and confidence.

As the drawing progresses, students will be introduced to the principles of light and form. We will focus on creating a clear, systematic process for organising values and describing structure. Instructor demonstrations will be given throughout the workshop, along with individual one-to-one guidance.

What you’ll learn

• During the workshop, you’ll explore:
•  Comparative measuring and proportion
• Shape-seeing and accurate block-in
• Working with charcoal and Pan Pastel on toned paper
• Understanding light, value and form
•  Modelling the portrait with structure and clarity
• Developing a more resolved portrait drawing over a sustained pose
  

Who is this course for?

This course is open to both beginning and experienced students.

Beginners will be guided through a clear, step-by-step process, while more experienced students will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of structure, value and form modelling.

Who is the tutor?

This course is taught by Angela Cunningham. Angela is a portrait painter, genre painter and sculptor working in a naturalistic and realistic style. Her work is inspired by the character and individuality of her models and subjects, and she particularly enjoys working from life.

Materials

Please bring the following materials with you. Items marked with a ★ are essential for this workshop.

• Vine or willow charcoal sticks — various hardnesses
• ★ PanPastel Artists’ Painting Pastel — Black. Only this one colour is needed for this class.
• ★ PanPastel Sofft Knives and Covers Tool Set. This set includes four soft painting knives with various tip shapes and sponge covers.
• Charcoal pencils — various hardnesses, at least two each: H, HB, 2B and 4B
• Nitram Academie Fusains Charcoal — soft, medium and hard
• Natural artist chamois
• Blending stump
• ★ White charcoal pencil
• Compressed charcoal sticks
• Graphite pencils — HB, H, 2H and 4H
• ★ Paper — one sheet of Artistico Fabriano, 140 lb, hot press, extra white, 18” x 24”, or a pad of this paper in 12” x 18” or 14” x 20”.
• Sharpener — razor blade and sandpaper
• ★ Kneaded erasers
• ★ Measuring stick — a knitting needle, kebab skewer, or bicycle spoke, around one foot long / 25 cm.
• ★ Stylus erasers — these are thin erasers that advance out of a holder like the lead from a mechanical pencil. Suggested option: Tombow Mono Zero Eraser, 2.3 mm circle.
• Glassine paper — small sheets to cover your drawings
• Mahl stick — to keep your hand off the drawing while working
•  Drawing supply box — to organise drawing materials
• Tracing paper — for critiques
• ★ Charcoal powder. We can also make our own in class, but it is sometimes useful to have powder too.
• Something to carry your work home in. These can work well

How many students will there be?

There is a maximum of 12 participants, and the tutor will customise the course according to your individual needs.

Studio Access & Parking

The studio and car park open at 9:30 am each day. We kindly ask that you do not arrive before this time, as staff will be preparing the space.

We close at 5:30 pm, so please ensure you are packed up and ready to leave by then. Thank you for helping us keep everything running smoothly!

The tutor or studio may play music during the workshop. If you prefer to work without music, you are very welcome to bring headphones.

If you have any questions, please see our frequently asked questions or contact us.