Expressive Portraiture: From Structure to Emotion

This workshop explores portraiture beyond likeness, focusing on capturing character, mood, and personal expression. Students will learn how to build a face using simple structural guides and tonal values, then push their work through mark-making, distortion, and layering techniques. The class encourages experimentation and embraces imperfection as part of the creative process.

What will be covered in this course?

● Basic facial proportions and placement

● Seeing and simplifying tonal values (light and shadow)

● Building a portrait using large shapes before detail

● Mark-making techniques using charcoal, pencil, and mixed media

● Letting go of perfection and developing expressive qualities

● Optional experimental techniques such as erasing, layering, and collage

By the end of this course students will:

● Understand the basic structure of the face

● Be able to block in a portrait using tonal values

● Gain confidence in drawing without relying on outlines

● Explore expressive and intuitive approaches to portraiture

● Complete an original portrait with a personal, creative interpretation

THIS CLASS IS FOR: Beginner through to advanced (no prior experience necessary)

LOCATION: Woolgoolga Gallery, 73 Turon Parade Woolgoolga

TIME: 10am – 1pm

DURATION: 3 hours

WHEN: 6 December 2026

TUTOR: Casey Mckell

COST: $35 pp

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Charcoal (vine and/or compressed)

Graphite pencils (2B–6B)

Eraser

Paper (A3 recommended) or canvas/paper pad

Optional: acrylic paint, brushes, palette

Optional: collage materials (paper, glue)

Drawing board

Some materials may be provided, please confirm when booking.

ABOUT THE TUTOR

Casey is an artist whose work explores portraiture through expressive mark-making, layering, and mixed media. Her practice moves between drawing and painting, often incorporating abstraction and fragmentation to capture emotion and psychological depth. Casey encourages students to move beyond strict realism and develop confidence in their own visual language.

Contact the host of Expressive Portraiture Workshop 6 December 26T4

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