Painting Portraits with Wendy Barratt

We are so pleased to welcome back to the Draw studios acclaimed artist, tutor and winner of Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2023, Wendy Barratt, to teach this special two day course in painting portraits.

Over this weekend, Wendy will be encouraging students to think about more than just the technicalities of painting a portrait and look at ways to really develop a connection between artist and sitter. Working from a live model, students will gain valuable insights into Wendy’s approach and put into practise ways to develop a human connection in their own portraits. Wendy will help guide students to develop their own unique way of looking, seeing and working.

What to expect

The first day will be focusing on painting exercises to encourage playfulness with the paint, ways to connect with the model, and also the rigour of keen observation in order to gain a likeness. Once we have made these initial studies we will use them to help inform our final portraits which will commence on day 1 and take up all of day 2.

You will have group tuition and demonstrations as well as one-to-one support throughout. This course is for all everyone looking to develop skills in portrait painting, from complete beginners to those looking to further develop their practise.

Places are limited to 12 students and pre-booking is essential. If you have any questions email us at [email protected] The workshop runs from Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th July 2024, with a 1-hour lunch break - you are welcome to bring a packed lunch, or to pop to the nearby Sainsbury’s, or a café on London Road. There will also be extra teabreaks throughout the day.

What you need to bring

All materials are included in the cost of the course, including oil paint, solvent, paper/canvas, palettes and palette knives. Easels, padded & backed chairs, drawing boards and small tables are provided for all students.

Students will need to bring:

• Brushes suitable for oil painting
• Apron & Rags / Kitchen Roll

A materials list will be sent to attendees nearer the start of the course.

Getting to the studio

You’re welcome to arrive from 9.45am on the Saturday. Approach New England House from the New England Street side of the building and walk up to the locked blue double doors next to the sign for the ‘Building Manager’s Office’. Wait to be let in or call the number on the door for entry - the studio is on level 5, Unit 1 South, just knock and walk in. There is parking at London Road car park, Elder Place & Trafalgar St car parks; Brighton station is a 5-minute walk from the studio.

Discounts

The discounted rate is available for anybody on low income, students or Patreon supporters. Sign up to the Draw Patreon from just £3.60 per month to get access to the discount, online life drawing course, live online classes and personal feedback from our tutors. Whether you are a Patreon supporter or not, you can post your drawings on the Draw community Facebook group HERE and you are welcome to tag us with @draw_brighton and #drawbrighton on Instagram.

Safety & accessibility

For the wellbeing of everybody at the class please don’t come to the class if you are ill with contagious symptoms. If you have any accessibility needs, please do let us know beforehand and we will do everything we can to make sure you can enjoy the life classes here. The building has a wheelchair ramp at the North side of the New England Street entrance and lifts up to level 5 with gender-neutral toilets & accessible toilets on floors 4 & 6 accessed by lift. Fixative spraying is not allowed in the studio and is done outside; oil paints will be used at this session and we will be using odourless solvent (no turps) throughout the course - our air purifier and good ventilation help control fumes.

We keep the studio a safe environment by providing:

• Monitored ventilation (aiming for <900ppm CO2)
• Air purification with HEPA filters
• Sick pay for our freelance life models
• If you have covid, flu or bad cold symptoms we ask you not to attend - you will receive a refund as well as our appreciation!

Cancellations

Bookings are non-refundable. If you are unwell with a contagious illness you may not attend the class - you can request a refund here on Eventbrite and we can issue a full refund, minus Eventbrite's fees. If you are unable to attend, please do get in touch with us on [email protected] to discuss the options for giving up your place in exchange for credit at other Draw Brighton courses, or transferring your place to another attendee.

Host or Publisher Draw Brighton