This 9-week evening course provides a comprehensive introduction to portraiture, covering fundamental techniques from facial structure and proportions to advanced topics like lighting, colour mixing and refining details. Suitable for beginners and those seeking to improve, participants will develop their personal style through demonstrations and hands-on practice.
Each workshop combines hands-on practice with demonstrations, enabling participants to see techniques in action and apply them directly to their personal projects, this approach helps each participant develop their own unique style and equips them with essential skills for capturing the human face. The course begins with an introduction to facial proportions and skull structure, including quick sketch exercises that involve drawing the face from different angles.
Participants then focus on the anatomy of facial features, focusing on exercises for the eyes, nose, and mouth, leading to a complete face sketch, followed by studies of the head that emphasize foreshortening and the planes of the face, while using each other as models.
Next, participants learn techniques for realistic hair textures, as well as the fundamentals of colour theory for understanding and applying skin tones.
One workshop will focus on utilizing lighting and shadows to create volume, incorporating practical shading exercises that enhance form through light direction. Another workshop will centre on participants developing a complete monochrome portrait, emphasizing composition and value studies using graphite. Participants are then introduced to colour mixing and layering techniques as they begin a full-colour portrait using a basic palette.
Participants will learn to enhance facial features by adding elements such as eyes, lashes, and textures, with the option to continue their current portrait or start anew. The course concludes with participants applying finishing touches to their final portraits, preparing for presentation, and engaging in a group critique and closing comments.
A variety of methods will be utilised during the workshops including drawing and painting from one another, using photographs as references, utilizing mirrors, and using personal photographs.
The mediums used will include graphite, oil paint, paper and canvas. A4 format.
Participants are invited to create and develop a single portrait during the 9-week course, using photographs as references for their artwork, such as a portrait of a family member. Nicole Porter began her tradition of painting portraits of her children and continues this practice each year.
Disclaimer
The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our course and module disclaimer for more information.
Learning Methods
This course will be delivered on campus from 18:30 – 21:00 every Monday for 9 weeks.
Participants are required to provide a personal photograph(s) of someone they wish to create a portrait of. This can be a physical or digital photograph.
Activity Summary
- Minimum of 8 students, maximum of 15 in the group
- 22.5 hours of teaching in total over 9 evenings, 18:30 – 21:00
Timetable
- Week 1: 13 January 2025 - workshops start
- Week 2: 20 January
- Week 3: 27 January
- Week 4: 3 February
- 10 February - no class due to public holiday
- Week 5: 17 February
- Week 6: 24 February
- Week 7: 3 March
- Week 8: 10 March
- Week 9: 17 March – last workshop
Independent Study
Students are encouraged to create and maintain a personal sketchbook which reflects their own creative practice involving the documentation of processes, inspirations, learnings and basic sketches.
Assessment
This course is not formally assessed.
Staff Delivering on this Course
Born in Aberdeen in 1986, Nicole Porter is an accomplished portrait artist who earned a First-Class Honours Degree in Fine Art from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee. With international experience in Norway, Paris, and New York, she blends classical techniques with a modern artistic approach. Nicole Porter is currently based in Aberdeen as the resident artist at The Nicole Porter Gallery, the artist also holds a Master of Fine Art with Distinction from Gray’s School of Art. With over ten years of teaching experience, she conducts portrait workshops that focus on technical skill and creative expression.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course.
This course is suitable for beginner - intermediate level.
Required Age
All students are required to be at least 16 years of age on the commencement of the course.
For Academic Year 2024/2025
Course fee: £270 per person
The fee is to be paid as part of sign up process and prior to the first session.
After completing the registration form, you will be directed to the payment page. Your place on the course is not confirmed until payment has been received. If you have any difficulties locating the payment link or if you have registered for this course but have not completed the payment form, please contact us for a direct link to pay which will bypass registration.
Additional Costs
Essential core materials are provided.
The following course-related costs are not included in the course fees:
Course Cancellation
If minimum participant numbers for this course are not met, the course will be cancelled and participants will receive a full refund.
If you have registered and paid for your place on the course, but now wish to cancel, please email engage@rgu.ac.uk at least 48 hours prior to the first evening session commencing.
Disclaimer
For new intakes course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in advance. For further information see:
Any questions?
Get in touch with the Engage Team and we'll do our best to help.