Portrait Weekenders (untutored)

About the Portrait Weekenders

These portrait weekends are being scheduled to cater for those who cannot make the Tuesday portrait group, those who have booked for upcoming portrait courses and maybe feel a bit rusty and/or don’t have much experience and want to gain a little confidence before their course, those attending the portrait group but want more - an extended sitting over two days, and generally anyone interested in practicing portraiture in a supportive environment.

You can either book the Saturday or the Sunday or both. There will be two models sitting for us with ten of us attending - hence five of us around each model. So if attending for both days you can either engage in a more considered drawing or painting over the two days and focus on just one of the sitters or you can change to the other sitter for the second day. if you wish to do a shorter sketch of one of the sitters and wish to sketch the other one and there is adequate room that is just fine. We want everyone to feel relaxed and to get what they need.

For those who are complete beginners or are in their early days, these sessions are completely untutored and each individual will be expected to be self-directed and develop in the way they choose. However, we tend to be a warm, friendly and down to earth bunch of folk who are incredibly supportive and encouraging. We have all been a beginner once and so know how daunting this may feel. Asking advice of others in attendance is often well received, mainly during the breaks so people can get on with their own work during the sittings. If you are unsure about anything you can speak to me, Rose.

The days will compose of a morning with two 40 minute sittings with a 5 minute break in between, followed by a 20 minute break with refreshments, then another 40 minute sitting, a five minute break and a 30 minute sitting taking us up to the lunch hour.

It is strongly advised to bring a packed lunch with you as there are no establishments in Sancreed. It is highly recommended to take a stroll up to Sacred Beacon at lunchtime to enjoy the amazing view of mounts bay and the lizrd and across a massive area of Penwith. it truly is breathtaking.

In the afternoon people, including the models, are usually more tired, and so it is shorter than the morning, with a 40 minute pose a 10 minute break, a 30 minute pose , a 10 minute break and a final 30 minute pose.

The timings are strict so as to provide as much time as possible engaged in a considered drawing/painting. People are expected to arrive between 9.30am and 9.50am so as to grab an easel, drawing board if needed and table to set up your materials etc, grab a cup of tea, find a good position/view of sitter, in order for a prompt start at 10am. Being late is incredibly disruptive. Please allow ample time for traffic/travel in order to be ready to commence drawing at 10am. If for some exceptional reason you are late, then please wait to set up in a break, with the first one being only 5 minutes long so not a lot of time for that.

During the first sitting for the first 20 minutes or so it is encouraged to speak to the sitter and find out a bit about them, get a sense of who they are. This is useful during this first phase and allow a settling to naturally occur. Thereafter everyone will be more focused with occasional naturally occurring discussions arising here and there as we have quite a relaxed atmosphere but please speak up or speak to me, Rose, if you need it to be quieter at any time. It’s important for everyone to feel as comfortable and themselves as possible in order to be able to be at their optimum creatively. It is also an option to play some music if the majority wish. Or for some of the time. This will be democratic. We will find our way……

What is provided?

All equipment, paper and dry materials are provided but feel free to bring any favourites of your own. For painting, bring your own materials and ground etc. A selection of teas and coffee, organic milk and plant based milk, plus a selection of treats are also provided.

Terms & Conditions

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Course & Workshop Terms & Conditions

Workshop Gallery