DRAWING THE PORTRAIT: PROPORTION AND FORM
Atelier Pierre Fontaine, Paris, France
18-19 January 2025 (two days)

WORKSHOP FULL | WAITLIST AVAILABLE

LONG POSE PORTRAIT DRAWING: LIKENESS AND FORM
The Form Collective by Atelier Eva, Brooklyn, NY
12-16 February 2025 (five days)

In this five-day workshop participants will draw the live model in a single portrait pose, developing the fundamentals of portrait draftsmanship in graphite by learning to synthesize visual and conceptual modes of analysis. Starting with a linear construction emphasizing accurate proportion, anatomical structure, and a sensitive fidelity to nature, artists will proceed to rendering the illusion of dimensionality using a form-by-form approach, analyzing the relationship between light source, subject, and viewing position. Additional areas of focus will include establishing an accurate value range, anatomy, perspective, edges, line quality, materials, and the balance between sculptural, graphic, and atmospheric aesthetic aims. Beginning to advanced artists are welcome; instruction will be customized to all levels of experience.

BLOCK-IN BOOTCAMP: SEEING WITH THE EYE, SEEING WITH THE MIND
Raw Umber Studios, Stroud, UK
27 February - 2 March (four days)

In this four-day portrait drawing workshop participants will strengthen foundational block-in skills while working from the live model. If we consider that the “realism” of realistic oil painting is found in the formal element of drawing (shapes and values), then the linear block-in serves as the supportive armature for all that is built upon it, and the need for powerful, confident block-in skills becomes paramount. Working from life offers a unique challenge to the development of these powers of interpretation— with a subject that is in constant motion, a set of optical and conceptual tools is required to create a drawing that is at once specific, sculptural, structural, and sensitive. Focused on building fluency with core concepts and strategies (such as picture plane inclinations/measurements, abstract shapes, abbreviation, line quality, perspective and anatomy), this workshop is intended for drawers and painters at all levels of experience who are seeking to improve the likeness, specificity, speed, and confidence of their portrait work.

LONG POSE PORTRAIT PAINTING: DRAWING, FORM, AND COLOR
Barcelona Academy of Art, Barcelona, Spain
31 March - 4 April 2025 (five days)

In this five-day workshop, artists will make a portrait painting from the live model using a limited palette of oil colors following a lucid, three-step process that emphasizes accurate draftsmanship, analytical color mixing, and sensitive rendering. Patrick will guide artists with daily demonstrations and comprehensive personalized critiques through each stage of the process— from creating a convincing likeness with structural drawing— to rational color mixing of flesh tones via analysis of the relative properties of hue, value and chroma— to rendering the light effect with a single, form-by-form pass of oil paint to create a convincing illusion of dimensional form. Cranial anatomy, materials, paint handling, brushwork, edges, and the physics of light will also be discussed throughout each session. While this workshop is mainly geared towards painters with some previous experience in oils, all artists from beginning to advanced are welcome; instruction will be customized to individual levels of experience.

LONG POSE PORTRAIT DRAWING: LIKENESS AND FORM
Drawing School Dublin, Ireland
9-11 May 2025 (three days)

In this three-day workshop participants will draw the live model in a single portrait pose, developing the fundamentals of portrait draftsmanship in graphite by learning to synthesize visual and conceptual modes of analysis. After completing a highly resolved linear block-in with instruction emphasizing proportion, anatomical structure, and a sensitive fidelity to nature, artists will then learn to render the illusion of three-dimensional form by analyzing the physics of light and its effect on objects in space. Patrick will aid participants with demonstrations, individual critiques, and detailed discussions on establishing an accurate value range, anatomy, perspective, line quality, and the balance between sculptural, graphic, and atmospheric aesthetic aims. Beginning to advanced artists are welcome. Instruction will be customized to individual levels of experience.

FOUNDATIONS OF SELF PORTRAIT IN GRAPHITE
Terracotta (online workshop)
26 and 27 April; 3 May 2025 (3 days)

This 3-session workshop is designed to focus specifically on the early, essential stages of self-portrait drawing. This course emphasizes the critical foundations—proportion, structure, and the subtle interpretation of light and shadow—that set the stage for a successful portrait. Whether you’re new to portrait drawing or looking to refine your approach, this workshop will help you build confidence and precision from the ground up, with instruction that emphasizes foundational techniques focusing on proportion, structural accuracy, and the simplified interpretation of light and shadow. Building a strong base is essential for creating a successful portrait, and Patrick’s step-by-step approach ensures you develop these skills effectively. The course offers a blend of live demonstrations and interactive Q&A, making learning both immersive and accessible. In addition, you’ll receive personalized feedback tailored to your individual progress, addressing specific challenges while reinforcing your strengths.

ALLA PRIMA PORTRAIT PAINTING: DRAWING, FORM, AND COLOR
London Fine Art Studios, London, UK
27-31 May 2025 (five days)

This five-day painting workshop is designed for realist painters looking to gain confidence, speed, and accuracy in their alla prima portrait work. Following a lucid step-by-step approach with an emphasis on strong drawing, simplification, form analysis, and rational color mixing, participants will paint a series of abstracted color studies as well as finished portrait sketches of five different live models using a limited palette of seven colors. Patrick will guide artists with daily demonstrations and comprehensive personalized critiques through each stage of the process – from creating a strong likeness with sensitive drawing, to color mixing, modeling form and finishing details. Cranial anatomy, color theory, materials, paint handling, and the physics of light will also be discussed throughout each session. While this workshop is mainly geared towards painters with some previous experience in oils, artists who prefer to create portrait drawings in graphite or charcoal are also encouraged to participate.

DYNAMIC FIGURE SKETCH: STRUCTURE AND EXPRESSION
Dutch Atelier of Realist Art, Haarlem, The Netherlands
9-13 June 2025 (five days)

Over the course of this five-day workshop, artists will draw a variety of live models in both short and long poses, gaining confidence in the fundamentals of figure draftsmanship with an emphasis on gesture, proportion, and line quality. We will be sketching the figure in dynamic short poses with various media including graphite, charcoal, colored pencil, and pen and ink. These shorter poses will range from two to twenty minutes, with artists focusing on the swift translation of expressive gesture, energetic mark-making, and effective abbreviation. Later we will be exploring longer poses in graphite or charcoal, ranging from one to three hours. These more sustained poses will offer an opportunity to discover the model’s unique character with greater fidelity, anatomical structure, and a convincing sense of dimensional form via light and shadow. Patrick will guide artists with daily demonstrations and in-depth personal critiques through each stage of the process – from describing gesture with broad, energetic linework, capturing accurate proportions using both optical and conceptual tools, and rendering light and shadow confidently to achieve a variety of aesthetic outcomes. Beginning to advanced artists welcome, although some prior experience drawing the live model is recommended.

LIMITED PALETTE PORTRAIT PAINTING: COLOR AND COMPLEXION
Dutch Atelier of Realist Art, Haarlem, The Netherlands
16-20 June 2025 (five days)

In this five-day workshop, artists will paint from the live model using a limited palette of oil colors, gaining confidence with interpreting local color and mixing diverse skin tones. Using just four paints — titanium white, cadmium yellow, cadmium red, and ultramarine blue— participants will discover how to achieve a surprisingly expansive range of colors through careful modulations of hue, value, and chroma, developing strategies for interpreting the sometimes elusive colors we perceive in human flesh. Comprised of both quick and abstracted color studies as well as longer poses of 3-5 hours, this workshop is geared towards painters looking to gain confidence in their alla prima painting practice and improve their color mixing, abbreviation, drawing, and paint handling. Patrick will guide participants with daily demonstrations and in-depth personal critiques throughout each stage of the process — from creating a strong likeness with accurate drawing, to color mixing, modeling form and finishing details. Munsell color theory, cranial anatomy, materials, and the physics of light will also be discussed throughout each session. Novice, intermediate, and advanced painters welcome. Some prior experience drawing and painting from the live model is recommended.

SKETCHING THE PORTRAIT: FIVE TECHNIQUES
Grand Central Atelier, Ridgewood, NY
11-15 August 2025 (five days)

In this five-day workshop, artists will learn to create portrait sketches that evince the beauty and humanity of the model with freshness, sensitivity, and lively detail. Using a lucid step-by-step approach, participants will draw five portrait sketches of five different live models. Patrick will guide artists with daily demonstrations and in-depth personal critiques through each stage of the process – from creating a strong likeness with accurate drawing, to interpreting the light effect, modeling form, and seeking a balance between sculptural, graphic and atmospheric aesthetic aims. Novice, intermediate, and advanced artists welcome— instruction will be customized to individual levels of experience. Each day of the workshop presents a different technique and will be divided into two basic components. Mornings begin with a short lecture and comprehensive demonstration, introducing and illustrating core concepts for each theme: colored pencil on white paper, graphite and white chalk on toned paper, charcoal on toned paper, pen and ink, and trois crayons. Following the demonstration and for the rest of the day, participants will focus on drawing the model with the guidance of detailed, personalized critiques emphasizing a highly organized approach that combines optical and conceptual analysis.

THE THREE DAY PORTRAIT IN OILS
Studio Paradiso, Seattle, WA
22-24 August 2025 (three days)

In this three-day workshop, artists will make a portrait painting from the live model using a limited palette of oil colors following a lucid, three-step process that emphasizes accurate draftsmanship, analytical color mixing, and sensitive rendering. Patrick will guide artists with daily demonstrations and comprehensive personalized critiques through each stage of the process— from creating a convincing likeness with structural drawing— to rational color mixing of flesh tones via analysis of the relative properties of hue, value and chroma— to rendering the light effect in two layers of oil paint to create a convincing illusion of dimensional form. Cranial anatomy, materials, paint handling, brushwork, edges, and the physics of light will also be discussed throughout each session. While this workshop is mainly geared towards painters with some previous experience in oils, all artists from beginning to advanced are welcome; instruction will be customized to individual levels of experience.

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PORTRAIT DRAWING EN TROIS CRAYONS
Art East Anglia, Norwich, UK
11-12 October (two days)

In this two-day workshop artists will create a portrait drawing from the live model using the technique of trois crayons: red, black, and white dry media on paper. Dating to the Renaissance and continuing in popularity today, trois crayons has been exploited to masterful effect by artists such as Parmigianino, Rubens, Boucher, Watteau, and more recently Anthony Ryder and Robert Liberace. Typically, black is used for the construction lines, shadows, and cold tones, red for the warm tones, and white for the highlights. Instruction will include a comprehensive demonstration from start to finish, as well as in-depth personal critiques with a particular focus on cultivating an organized, rational process. Two distinct steps will be emphasized throughout: building an accurate linear block-in, then interpreting values, hues, and chromas to effectively to create a sense of sculptural form and a strong aesthetic point of view. Cranial anatomy, color theory, materials, line quality, resolution/abbreviation, edges, and the physics of light will also be discussed throughout the course. Beginning to advanced artists are welcome; instruction will be customized to all levels of experience.

LONG POSE PORTRAIT: DRAWING TO PAINTING
Taller La Cucha, Buenos Aires, Argentina
27-31 October 2025 (five days)

In this five-day workshop, participants will make a portrait painting from the live model using a limited palette of oil colors following a lucid, two-step process that emphasizes accurate draftsmanship, analytical color mixing, and sensitive rendering. Patrick will guide artists with daily demonstrations and comprehensive personalized critiques through each stage of the process – from creating a convincing likeness with strong drawing, to rational color mixing of flesh tones, to rendering the light effect via a sculptural analysis of the form. Cranial anatomy, materials, paint handling, brushwork, and the physics of light will also be discussed throughout each session. While this workshop is mainly geared towards painters with some previous experience in oils, beginners or artists who prefer to create finished portrait drawings in graphite are also encouraged to participate. Instruction will be customized to all levels of experience.

PORTRAIT DRAWING EN TROIS CRAYONS
Lx Atelier, Lisbon, Portugal
6-8 December 2025 (three days)

In this three-day workshop artists will create a portrait drawing from the live model using the technique of trois crayons: red, black, and white dry media on paper. Dating to the Renaissance and continuing in popularity today, trois crayons has been exploited to masterful effect by artists such as Parmigianino, Rubens, Boucher, Watteau, and more recently Anthony Ryder and Robert Liberace. Typically, black is used for the construction lines, shadows, and cold tones, red for the warm tones, and white for the highlights. Instruction will include a comprehensive demonstration from start to finish, as well as in-depth personal critiques with a particular focus on cultivating an organized, rational process. Two distinct steps will be emphasized throughout: building an accurate linear block-in, then interpreting values, hues, and chromas to effectively to create a sense of sculptural form and a strong aesthetic point of view. Cranial anatomy, color theory, materials, line quality, resolution/abbreviation, edges, and the physics of light will also be discussed throughout the course. Beginning to advanced artists are welcome; instruction will be customized to all levels of experience.experience.