EM * DR Life Drawing} Portraiture: Sketching Faces, Stories & Expression

Portraiture: Drawing Faces, Stories & Expression

Join EarlyMasterworks at Drawing Room to celebrate Drawing Biennial 2026, which features over 300 newly commissioned drawings by renowned worldwide artists, for a themed, untutored live sketching session focused on portraiture, where expression, character, and storytelling are highlighted. This is not about precise proportions or technical precision, but about feeling, presence, and transforming what you see into something personal and meaningful.

Portraiture has a powerful way of revealing emotion, identity, and narrative. In this session, you will explore how subtle shifts in expression, gaze, and posture can influence your drawing. Lines may become soft, bold, fragmented, or fluid as you respond to the face in front of you. This is an opportunity to explore drawing as a way of seeing and understanding people.

Part 1: Expression and Gesture (Warm-up)

Quick portrait sketches focusing on facial expressions, angles, and movement. Capture emotion, energy, and essence rather than exact likeness.

Part 2: Form and Character (Expressive Study)

Longer sketching periods to develop more detailed portraits. Explore structure, features, light, shadow, and storytelling through faces.

Set within a unique contemporary art space dedicated to drawing in all its forms, the venue offers an inspiring and intimate environment. Known for supporting experimental and diverse artistic practices, Drawing Room creates the perfect backdrop for a focused and reflective portrait drawing experience.

Come as you are, bring your curiosity, and let expression guide your lines.

Credit to photographer:

Photography by London-based visual artist and photographer Han Wang
https://www.instagram.com/deideipho/ https://www.behance.net/hanwang93

Art Ref:

Art Ref for this Gathering: https://uk.pinterest.com/rishbhshukla/portraiture/

Life Drawing Ref: https://uk.pinterest.com/earlymasterworkslifeDrawing/life-drawing

Past Event Photos: https://uk.pinterest.com/earlymasterworkslifeDrawing/life-drawing-london-earlymasterworkscom/

Model:

Host:

Rishabh Shukla is a Product Designer who loves art. His strength lies in designing for disability, while his curiosity about art is fueled by comics, movies and stories around us. He’s passionate about storytelling and curating experiences, which is what drew him to EarlyMasterworks as a regular participant and that same curiosity has led him to host live sketching sessions.

His style of hosting focuses on curating stories, helping participants look within, and creating a space where he can share how he sees the world through art. He encourages a more personal and reflective approach to drawing, where each line becomes part of a larger narrative shaped by individual perspective.

Rishabh also lives with a Chronic Illness called cystic fibrosis, and art has always been a constant source of strength and support in his journey. Through these sessions, he hopes to create an environment where participants can experience that same sense of connection, expression, and impact through art.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_rish_shukla_/

Website: www.rishabhshukla.com

About :

We create a welcoming and warm environment for all backgrounds, demographics, and skill levels at this creative social life drawing event to meet, drink, draw, and create! We do not instruct; instead, we invite participants to share. We believe that art connects people, and sharings improve creativity!

We host weekly themed untutored gatherings at a variety of one-of-a-kind places in London. You may have also heard of us because of the work we have done with the National Gallery, Open House Festival London, SOHO HOUSE, Urbanism/Architecture Bi-City Biennale (UABB), The European Biennial of Contemporary Art and more.

About :

Drawing Room is the UK and European centre for the exploration, appreciation, and expression of drawing. It is a non-profit organisation with a gallery that hosts stimulating free exhibitions of drawings by artists of international renown and emerging promise; a one-of-a-kind open access research library with one of the world’s largest collections of literature on modern drawing; and a shop that sells specially selected books, drawing materials, and artists’ editions. More here: https://www.instagram.com/drawingroomlondon/

Date:

15 May, 2026 (Friday)

Time:

7 - 9pm

Location:

Unit 1b New Tannery Way
Bermondsey
London
SE1 5WS

Ticket:

- £8 (Concession),

- £15 (Ticket with all Art Supplies)

-£20 (Ticket with all Art Supplies & 1 Drink)

• We have light snacks and drinks.
• We do not have a dinner menu.
• Eventbrite Ticket fees are on top of this price - Sorry :(
• Concession tickets are only for

Government allowance/Pension recipients of any kind

Southwark residents

Full-time Students

Over 60s/Under 25s

Drawing Biennial 2026/Tannery Artists

Drawing Members

For further information about this event and/or to address any access needs, please contact [email protected] / 020 4547 6200

Concession tickets are limited to 6 per event as Drawing Room is a charity and rely on funds such as these to make our programme possible!

*Proof of eligibility will be required on entry to the events.

Rundown:

Doors open: 6.45pm

Life drawing: 7 to 8:30pm (mix of short and long poses, with short break)

Door close: 9pm

House Rules:

• NO REFUNDS - Due to the amount of time and effort invested in event planning, we are unable to give refunds for this event.
• Book ASAP - Please book online for you and your friends in advance so we know how to arrange the seats.
• Some basic drawing materials and paper will be available for free but if you wish to bring your own sketchbooks and materials please do! Drawing boards and cosy seats are all provided on a first come-first served basis.
• Discrimination and bullying in any form will not be tolerated at our events.
• This is a 18+ event. We operate a challenge 25 policy at the bar, so please bring ID with you.
• Photography and Filming take place during workshops and gallery opening times. Please let us know if you do not want to be on film. All material captured is used for either our social media or future promotion.

Can't make it to this event? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for future reminders and Art Ref. ==>

Our popular life drawing gatherings have different themes every week. View calendar here ==>

Join Whatsapp Group for London Creatives (You need to email/DM your Whatsapp no to be added manually) ==>

Spy our IG account:

Email us to learn about corporate/group discount and EM Super Pass.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher @ earlymasterworkslifedrawing