Portraiture is one of the most alluring forms of art, and for a good reason: our brains are wired to look for and connect with human faces. In this class, you'll learn how to draw portraits that are expressive and filled with personality.

Throughout the process, we'll cover:

How to choose and break down a reference image,
Basic sketching and shading techniques with a series of practice exercises,
Effective techniques for measuring proportions,
How to add your unique perspective by stylizing features, and exaggerating facial expressions,
And how to use color as a narrative device to finalize your portrait.

This class is great for any artist of any skill level—whether you're new to portraiture, or you want to upgrade your current skills! We’ll cover some sketching basics to ensure even beginners are ready to create a beautiful portrait, and we’ll talk about leveling up our portraiture to make it more expressive and unique, and to upgrade your existing skills!

By the end of this class, you’ll understand how to choose a stunning reference photo and break it down, how to turn that photo into a beautiful portrait, and you’ll learn how to make that portrait stand out with your own unique perspective. You'll only need a few resources for this class- a pencil, paper, eraser, and your color medium of choice!

This class puts a personal twist on portraiture, allowing you to really connect with your subject, and express your own perspective. When I draw a portrait, my focus is on capturing the beauty that I see in the subject. I try to add a bit of myself or my perspective into my work, and look for ways to connect with the subject, in order to make it feel more personal and full of life. I often focus a lot on the eyes, which are the windows to the soul, or features of the subject that make them unique. I've based this class on what I've learned throughout my five years of portraiture, and I can't wait to share my knowledge with you!

Hayden Santos

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