The Portrait Course
The Deep Dive Edition
We're going back to basics and delving into anatomy, technique and skill. Beginners will learn how to start a portrait, whilst returning students can tighten their skillset.
The Portrait Course runs for 5 weeks.
STARTING FROM: Online 09/01/23 & In-Person 12/01/23.
The Portrait Course 2023 Overview
5 weeks of dedicated time with a Qualified Teacher.
Delivered online or in-person. Develop over weekly live demonstrations, tasks, seminars and 1:1 feedback.
Lessons about key portrait principles.
Learn how to create portraits as we delve into the skull, muscle structure, facial features, proportions, form, tonal value & skin tone.
All materials available at or below cost.
Purchase all materials as an ‘Artist Kit’ at below-retail cost delivered to your door step. All materials included within in-person Bristol classes.
Ready to invest in your own creativity and self-improvement?
About Brushstrokes Courses
Brushstrokes Courses provides art instruction and courses, which build creative confidence in a variety of artistic skills, from drawing to painting.
Students are given individual support and taught best practices while remaining encouraged to explore their own artistic identity. Founded in 2020 by qualified art teacher Laura Truesdale, Brushstrokes has already helped over 100 artists learn the skills to create their masterpiece.
Why choose Brushstrokes Courses?
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Qualified Teacher
Learn from a Qualified Teacher - A level instruction for all skill levels.
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Student Enjoyment
Student enjoyment, encouragement, and well-being is prioritized in our courses.
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In-Person & Live Online
Live, interactive classes for increased fun, engagement, and far better results.
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Save Money
6 weeks of high quality instruction from £210 - save up to 90% on the same instruction elsewhere.
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Materials Available
Everything you need for the course can be shipped to your door at below-cost prices.
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Weekly Lessons & Feedback
A minimum of 2 hours of quality instruction and feedback per week across all 6 weeks.
Ready to connect with your inner artist?
FAQ
Course FAQ
Read through the most common asked and answered questions here. For any further questions, don’t hesitate to Get in touch.
Is this course suitable for beginners?
Yes, the course has been created to support beginners, or for those who haven’t picked up a paint brush since school.
This particular course offers a deep dive into the aspects of Portraiture to help break down the process.
Is this course suitable for intermediates, returners or already practicing artists?
Yes, returning or advanced students will be set intermediate or extension tasks to challenge, further expand your skillset and explore artistic identity.
Will I be able to access the course whilst juggling a busy schedule?
Yes, each task has been designed for you to complete during the class, or alternatively you can further access the week’s aims & objectives by working on your work outside of class.
What will I learn?
You will be taught how to use mark making to structure your drawings and build your creative confidence.
You will learn how to :
To construct and study the skull using charcoals..
Explore the muscle structure & build ‘face maps.’
Construct individual facial features.
.Use Graphite & Charcoals to create a Pre-Raphaelite inspired sketch.
Layer soft pastels to create skin tone & study proportion..
Where can I find out the course content?
When you enrol onto the course, you will be sent a Welcome Pack, which will contain a full breakdown of the course. It will outline what to expect each week, what the tasks will be and what materials you will require for each class.
How much is the course?
Online:
Tuition Fee ONLY: £130.00
Tuition Fee & Artist Kit (Includes postage & packaging): £205.00
In-Person:
Tuition Fee & shared materials: £175.00
Tuition Fee & Artist Kit: £250.00
Do you have a Payment Plan?
Yes we do! We have a flexible Payment Plan that ensures art remains accessible to everyone.
All we require is a 20% Deposit as an upfront down payment which unfortunately cannot be refundable to cover costs.
Select to then pay either:
20% each week over 4 weeks,
OR
20% per month over 4 months.
Click here to get in touch and arrange a tailored plan with us.
If neither of these work for you, then please don’t hesitate to Get In Touch to tailor a payment plan that suits your needs.
Can I purchase the materials needed?
Art supplies can be included for 50% off retail price as an ‘Artist Kit’ to help students get started. You can select to purchase the Artist Kit enrolment option in the store.
If you wish to purchase a more bespoke kit, then Get In Touch with the materials that you need for a quote,
Can I use my own materials?
Yes! Simply select the ‘Tuition Fee ONLY’ enrolment option in our store and you will be emailed out a Welcome Pack with a shopping list of all materials & equipment needed throughout the course.
Are the materials included the in-person Bristol Class?
Yes! Materials are included within the course cost and shared with your classmates. If you wish to purchase your own materials you can either sign up with an Artist Kit, or buy them from us in the class using cash or contactless payment.
What day and time is the online classes?
Online classes run on:
Monday evening, 18:30PM - 20:00PM GMT
There is also an optional Wednesday evening online Q&A Seminar to ask further questions, check in and see your classmates responses to the task.
It runs from 19:00PM - 20:00PM GMT.
The dates are:
Monday 9th January 2023
Monday 16th January 2023
Monday 23rd January 2023
Monday 30th January 2023
Monday 06th February 2023
When/where is the in-person Bristol Class?
The evening class is on Thursdays 18:30PM - 20:30PM.
The address for the studio is:
The Westcott Studio,
The Kingswood Estate,
Britannia Road,
Bristol,
BS15 8DB
There is free parking in front of The Wescott Studio at The Kingswood Estate which has Disabled Access. The studio also includes tea and coffee making facilities.
The dates are:
Thursday 12th January 2023
Thursday 19th January 2023
Thursday 26th January 2023
Thursday 02nd February 2023
Thursday 09th February 2023
If I can’t attend my registered online class one week, can I switch to the other group?
Yes, you can!
Each new course week begins on Monday evening. If you needed to swap online groups for any reason, drop us an email with the dates you wish to change groups.
If I can’t make an in-person class, can I attend the online class instead?
Yes, most definitely. Send me an email when you register with the dates you wish to attend the course online and we will get you registered to the Zoom Mailing List.
What’s refund policy?
• If a course is cancelled by Brushstrokes Courses due to Covid-19, or any other reason, and cannot be moved online, you will be fully reimbursed for any classes that have not been delivered.
• If a student misses a class due to sickness, holiday, or any other reason, no refunds or discounts can unfortunately be given. Course notes and materials will be distributed for missed sessions wherever possible.
What’s your Covid-19 Policy for In-Person Classes?
COVID 19 Contingency Plan.
In the event of a further lockdown, or ‘rule of 6’ restrictions remaining in place, there are three options for you to choose from.
1. The class will move online for the same dates and times.
You will also receive the option to join the online course’s mid-week seminar on Wednesdays 7pm – 8pm for further support to help you complete tasks from the safety of your own home. This seminar is usually exclusive for any students completing the online course, but in the event of switching to online, this will become accessible to all students.
You will also be invited to submit work for written feedback from our teacher.
2. You can choose to roll over payment of any classes cancelled or moved online to a future in-person course of your choice.
See our courses and store for all courses over the 2021 - 2022 Acadmic Year here: 2021-2022 Courses
3. You may request a full refund for the Tuition Fee of any classes cancelled or moved online.
If you have purchased an Artist Kit which remains unused, you may return the materials for a full refund. If the Artist Kit has been opened then you will be unable to request a refund for the materials, but you may keep all Step-By-Step Guides to complete tasks with the materials in your own time.
In the event of switching to online teaching, you will be emailed with further information on these changes.
For our full Covid-19 Policy, click HERE