Portrait Drawing

COURSE CODE: E2501DR003

COURSE DATES: Mondays, 15th September to 24th November 2025

TUTOR: Mark Entwisle

DAYS: 10

TIMES: 10:30am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, Beginner +

FEE: Early Bird: £607.50 / Standard Price: £675

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

Develop your portrait drawing skills on this course, focusing on aspects such as facial proportion, facial anatomy and skull structure. You’ll draw from live models in a range of materials, including charcoal, graphite and Conté, and create anatomical drawings of the skull to develop your understanding of the structure and form of the head. You’ll then use these skills to complete a sustained three-week portrait drawing towards the end of the course.

Your tutor will support you fully throughout the course in both group sessions and one-to-one, providing regular feedback, critique and constructive advice.

Students will be able to:

  • Create portrait drawings using light, shadow, tone, to create volume and mass.
  • Apply measuring techniques, taking into consideration specific aspects of proportion of the head.
  • Understand and employ anatomical approaches to drawing of the skull for underlying structure and correctly depict the surface forms of the head.
  • Apply an improved understanding of facial anatomy.
  • Create a sustained two week portrait drawing.
  • Apply safe-working practices at all times. 

Recommend booking by: August 20, 2025

All Levels

All attendees must be aged 18 and over.

This course is suitable for all levels. Students can move at their own pace depending on their experience, with as much support from the Tutor as they wish. This means an student from the following experience levels can join this course:

Beginner

Choose a Beginners course if you are looking for a broad introduction to the medium you are studying. Our Beginner courses are suitable for students with no prior experience.

Beginner +

Choose a Beginner + course if you are looking to hone your skills, focus on a specific subject area and build your confidence. These courses are suitable for those with some basic skills in and knowledge of the taught medium.

Intermediate

Our Intermediate courses are suitable for students who have considerable prior knowledge of the taught medium or have completed a Beginners/Beginners + course with the Art Academy.

Advanced

Choose our Advanced courses if you have considerable knowledge in the taught medium. You are expected to be able to work independently and have critical discussions around your work.

YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN MATERIALS

You will need to have a good range of drawing materials – including but not limited to – willow and compressed charcoal, range of pencils, eraser and putty rubber, fine line pens.

See above for other preparation requirements each week.

If you do not have your own materials, we recommend you order a Drawing Pack at the time of booking which will be available when you arrive for your first class.

  • A Drawing Pack (£25.00) contains:
    One set of lead pencils (2B, 4B, 6B)
    One box of willow charcoal sticks
    One box of compressed charcoal sticks
  • One set of conté crayons
    Putty Rubber
    Eraser
    Auto lock knife

Mark Entwisle

Mark Entwisle studied printmaking at Cambridge College of Art and Technology, and then completed a degree in illustration at Brighton. He went on to work as an illustrator for 15 years, with clients including Penguin, Random House and the National Theatre. During this time he began to exhibit, and in 1990 Mark had his first exhibition at Beaux Arts Bath.

Mark has been the recipient of many prestigious awards and prizes, such as: the BP Portrait Award; the RA Summer Show; The Discerning Eye; and the Lynn Painters-Stainers Prize. Mark also teaches part-time at the National Portrait Gallery.

https://markentwisle.co.uk/

Bankside Campus

185 Park Street,London SE1 9BL

tel: +44 (0) 207407 6969

This is our new purpose built accessible campus. Find more information here

Nearest Tube/ Rail: London Bridge or Southwark (both a 10-15 minute walk).

Please note that London Bridge has two exits, the most direct route is to follow signs to “Borough Market”.

Students are welcome to use The Hub during break times, where you can prepare hot drinks and/or food. You must bring your own keep-cup, water bottle or food container to the Academy as mugs, glasses, and containers will not be available in our Bankside campus.

Tea and coffee will be provided by the Academy and is available from the island unit at the end of The Hub.

Terms and Conditions

  • By booking onto one of our courses you agree to our Short Courses Terms and Conditions.
  • You will need to have paid in full before the first session of your class. Your place is not guaranteed until we have received full payment. Please book early in order to guarantee your place on the course.

Materials & Equipment

  • If you purchased a pack online this will be given to you on the first session of your course upon your arrival. Packs can be booked on our Materials Page or on this page when you book the course
  • Please don’t wear your best clothes as there is always a chance you will get messy. If possible bring an apron or overalls.
  • All artwork at the Academy MUST be taken home at the end of each session where possible, with the exception of oil paintings and sculpture works.
  • We cannot store materials at the Academy, so please take these to and from your sessions.
  • Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off or is on silent during the class.
  • Health and Safety Guidelines will be provided to you a week before the start of your course.

Concessions and Discounts

We offer a number of concessions and discounts, please find more information on what we offer here.

Gift Vouchers

If you would like to purchase a gift voucher to be used on our courses then you can purchase these here.

Original price was: £675.00.Current price is: £607.50.

2501DR003-Portrait-Drawing-Rong-Liu

Artwork by Rong Liu

Early bird 10% off discount available until the 27th of July 2025.

Use coupon code at checkout: aa-earlybird-10%