09/10 Intro to Portrait Drawing
This beginner-friendly class is a great starting point for anyone interested in learning how to draw portraits. Whether you're a total beginner or a more experienced artist looking to revisit the basics, this class offers a supportive environment to grow your portrait skills. All levels are welcome.
Description
This beginner-friendly class is a great starting point for anyone interested in learning how to draw portraits. In the first half of the session, we’ll focus on foundational drawing exercises that cover the essential building blocks of portraiture—proportion, placement, structure, and capturing likeness. These guided warm-ups are designed to help students develop confidence and sharpen their observational skills.
In the second half of the class, we’ll put those skills into practice by drawing from a live model. This will give students the chance to explore how to work from life, make quick decisions, and build up a drawing in stages. Instructor demonstrations and individual feedback will support students at every level.
Whether you're a total beginner or a more experienced artist looking to revisit the basics, this class offers a supportive environment to grow your portrait skills. All levels are welcome.
About the Instructor
Dustin Adamson (b. 1987) is an emerging American artist trained in the classical tradition of painting and drawing. Dustin has a strong interest in the art and techniques of the old masters, from the Renaissance to the nineteenth century. After graduating in 2010 from with Distinction from San Diego State University, he began to study figurative drawing, painting, and sculpture with Justin Hess and Alicia Ponzio and human anatomy with Noah Buchanan. After studying for several years in the Bay Area he moved to New Jersey and studied at the Florence Academy of Art US. There he studied intensively an academic curriculum grounded in the 19th-century classical-realist tradition.
During his studies at the Florence Academy of Art US, Dustin received numerous awards and scholarships; including an award for Painting of the Year and the position of teaching assistant.
Supply List
We will be using graphite pencils for the first day of class. The rest of class we will be using the NItram Charcoal Sticks.
Drawing Materials
- 2 sheets of Strathmore Charcoal 500 paper Fog Blue (Available at Cal Art Supply) or similar paper
- Graphite Pencils: 2H, HB, 2B, 4B
- General’s White Charcoal Pencil
- A simple pencil sharpener
- Nitram Charcoal HB and B (Available at Cal Art Supply)
- Sanding Block to sharpen charcoal
- Small Kneaded Eraser
- Tombow Mono Zero, Round
- Artist Chamois
- Hog Bristle Fan Brush Size 3 or 4
- Drawing board large enough for your paper (Toteboard with clips or foamboard with bulldog clips)
- Masking tape to tape your paper to the board
Recommended Art Stores:
California Art Supply, San Mateo
University Art, Redwood City