Mastercopy of Roman Portrait Sculpture: An online portrait drawing session

Join Lydia for a 1- hour mastercopy session studying a Roman bust of Emperor Maximinus Thrax, while exploring the history and development of Roman portrait sculpture. You’ll build the head through simple planes and proportions, gradually massing in the shadows with charcoal before developing halftones and lights with white chalk. The session focuses on creating a sculptural feel through clear value structure, refined edges and subtle texture, especially in the hair and stubble. Alongside the drawing, Lydia looks at how Roman portraiture evolved from earlier Greek and Etruscan influences, and how realism, idealisation and expressive features were used to shape power and identity.

Materials used:

• Grey-toned paper
• Charcoal
• White chalk
• Putty rubber

 High quality images, great lighting and tuition from a professional artist mean this is a great way to hone your skills.

This session mimics the structure of a traditional life drawing class. You will see one or more photographs to draw or paint from. Tutor Lydia Cecil will be doing an online demonstration next to the video and will be giving hints and tips in the live chat.

Once you have registered you will be sent a link to a private web page where you will be able to access the live stream at the date and time of broadcast. You will also have access to the video for 30 days after the session, and will be able to download the photographs used in the session so you can continue to work in your own time.

If you're planning on watching more than one session a month then you will save money with a subscription. If you already have a Raw Umber Subscription then you can access this session from your account.