Tonal Portrait Drawing

7 WEEK COURSE

Sundays 11:00 am - 1:30 PM

may 17th - june 28th 2026

WITH Chaitanya Varma

all levels welcome

PRICE: $265 (Includes model fee)

class summary

This course will cover the fundamental skills necessary for drawing portraits in charcoal, with a strong emphasis on using tonal relationships to communicate form

Students will be working from the live model, working with charcoal to mass in initial light and dark shapes, and working our their way up to refining details using the charcoal pencil. The class will begin with an in depth demonstration, followed by three long portraits in which students will be able to practice a refined portrait using different methods

No prior experience is required! As we keep class sizes small, our instructors can cater to each student’s individual skill level. Instructor demonstrations are standard

MATERIALS

We’ll discuss materials and cover any questions you may have on the first day of class

Drawing paper pad size 18x24 — Strathmore 400 medium tooth recommended (Don’t buy the “smooth” version!)
Drawing Board to serve as a backing for the drawing pad
Willow Charcoal, the softer the better (Not Vine Charcoal!)
General’s Charcoal Pencils (2B & 4B)
Kneaded Eraser
Plastic Eraser
Mechanical eraser — (General’s Factis is great)
Bristle Brush (We will have these available for purchase and/or class use)

Syllabus

Week 1 In-depth demonstration

Week 2 First portrait

Week 3 First portrait continued

Week 4 Second portrait

Week 5 Second portrait continued

Week 6 Third portrait

Week 7 Third portrait continued

REFUNDS

Please contact us at least 1 week before class for a full refund. Unfortunately due to our limited class sizes we cannot process refunds after this time. Transfers to other classes are usually possible

It is possible that a class is cancelled if an inadequate number of students register. In this case, tuition will be promptly refunded

absences

Anyone who must miss classes may attend up to two make-up sessions in other classes as long as space permits

Click here to sign up!