about this workshop

In this five-day workshop, artists will learn to create portrait sketches that evince the beauty and humanity of the model with freshness, sensitivity, and lively detail. Using a lucid step-by-step approach, participants will draw five portrait sketches of five different live models. Patrick will guide artists with daily demonstrations and in-depth personal critiques through each stage of the process – from creating a strong likeness with accurate drawing, to interpreting the light effect, modeling form, and seeking a balance between sculptural, graphic and atmospheric aesthetic aims. Cranial anatomy, perspective, materials, and the physics of light will also be discussed throughout each session. Novice, intermediate, and advanced artists welcome.

Each day of the workshop presents a different technique and will be divided into two basic components. Mornings begin with a short lecture and comprehensive demonstration, introducing and illustrating core concepts for each theme: graphite and white chalk on toned paper, colored pencil on white paper, charcoal on toned paper, pen and ink, and trois couleurs. Following the demonstration and for the rest of the day, participants will focus on drawing the model with the guidance of detailed personalized critiques emphasizing a highly organized approach that combines optical and conceptual analysis.

Materials

DAY ONE:

• 1 sheet light to medium toned, smooth drawing paper, minimum size 40x30cm (if 1 is black and 10 is white, a neutral tone in the 6-8 range is recommended. The Canson “Mi- Teintes” line of papers includes a variety of tones that could work well for this technique.) -graphite pencils H, HB, and B

• white chalk/white colored pencil (I recommend General’s white chalk and/or something more waxy like Prismacolor white colored pencil)

• kneaded eraser

• hard rubber eraser (e.g. Tombo Mono Zero)

• pencil sharpener

DAY TWO:

• 1 sheet smooth white drawing paper, minimum size 40x30cm (recommended brands: Canson, Strathmore, Arches, Fabriano Artistico)

• 1 colored pencil, medium to dark in value (e.g. blue, brown, red, violet, dark green etc.)

DAY THREE:

• 1 sheet light to medium toned, smooth drawing paper, minimum size 40x30cm

• Vine or willow charcoal (I recommend Nitram Fusain H, HB, and B charcoal if available, if not, any basic charcoal sticks will work)

• Small bristle brush or blending tool aka stump

DAY FOUR:

• 2 sheets smooth white drawing paper, minimum size 40x30cm -Ballpoint pen (blue, black, green, or red)

DAY FIVE:

• 1 sheet light to medium toned, smooth drawing paper, minimum size 40x30cm

• Black, red, and white chalk or colored pencils. I recommend colored pencils for their versatility and control as tonal and graphic tools— Prismacolor Col-Erase brand pencils (in black, white, and terra cotta/scarlet red) work especially well for this technique. Alternatively— charcoal/graphite, white chalk, and sanguine may be used.

Meet Patrick

Patrick was born in Busan, South Korea in 1984 and raised in La Grange, Illinois. He earned his undergraduate degree in Art History and English from the University of St Andrews in 2006. After a year studying drawing at the Florence Academy of Art, Patrick moved to New York in 2010 to train under Jacob Collins at Grand Central Atelier, where he subsequently worked as an instructor of painting and drawing in the atelier’s full and part time programs. In 2017 Patrick relocated to Paris, France, where he now lives and works. His work is exhibited at galleries in New York and Massachusetts.

www.patrickbyrnespaintings.com