Drawing the Portrait in the classical method

Drawing is considered the basic ability to be able to express the power of art in all its forms, such as in painting and sculpture. The final aim will be to acquire the classical academic method of drawing used by the great old Masters and to create with the pencil / charcoal on paper a fully rendered portrait. 

This workshop offers to students the introduction to the fundamental bases of academic drawing using its main tools. Moreover, you will learn to select and prepare materials for drawing, measurements and proportions, the artistic effect of chiaroscuro and improve the observation skills and draw realistically.   

Our Program is made by sessions, each session is the length of three hours. Students will also be shown examples of methods used by the old masters each lesson, and will be encouraged to research, and provide examples of figurative art they connect with.

About Eric Drummond

After studying Art History at the University of Guelph, Eric was accepted and enrolled at The Florence Academy of Art in 2016. There he was taught to draw and paint the figure from life and compose portraits and still lifes, using the traditional methods and practices developed by the old masters. Eric works only from life. Staying true to the sight size method developed by the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France in the 1800s, he largely crafts his own materials, and hand preps his own canvases. Working from life allows Eric total creative control and interpretation of his subjects. 

Tuesday and Wednesday evenings 6:00-9:00pm

September 16, 17, 23, 24, 30,  October 1, 7 and 8, 2025

Instructor: Eric Drummond

Location: Good North Studio

$360 + materials

Maximum of 12 students

*Fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

*TAP Centre for Creativity reserves the right to cancel any course or workshop at any time if the minimum number of students required is not reached. In such cases, fees will be fully refunded.

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Materials

• Graphite Pencils ranging from 2H to 2B

• Nitram Charcoal, two of each: B, HB, and H

• Vine Charcoal

• Two Full sheets of White or slightly off white Sommerset paper, dimensions minimum

14x20 inches

• Small Black Mirror and Small Regular Mirror

• Synthetic Fan Brush (Not mandatory)

• Kneadable Eraser

• A collection of Drawings they find inspirational to place in front of their easel

• Tape