Drawing , Recorded Course ,

Portrait Drawing – The Complete Online Course

This unique course covers a comprehensive procedure for drawing a beautiful portrait. David Jamieson guides students though developing a portrait from start to finish in a video demonstration that presents nearly every last pencil stroke.

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David Jamieson

First Place Drawing Award!

Vitruvian Studio co-founder and principal instructor David Jamieson's portrait drawing Writer's Block was recently awarded First Place in the drawing category at the prestigious Portrait Society of America's 26th International Portrait Competition!

Silver Medal of Honor!

Vitruvian Studio co-founder and principal instructor David Jamieson's portrait drawing Writer's Block was recently awarded the Silver Medal of Honor in the prestigious Allied Artists of America's 111th Museum Exhibition at the Butler Institute of American Art!

As Featured in Ultralearning by Scott H. Young!

Taking our online portrait drawing course was how Scott Young improved his portrait drawing skills in 30 days! That and other learning challenges are featured in Ultralearning, his new best-selling book about mastering hard skills.

Learning to draw is hard. But it’s doubly hard if you don’t have the right technique. Using the approach outlined in this course, I was able to get a lot better at drawing portraits in just one month. Vitruvian Studio is my go-to source for art instruction online.

– Scott H. Young

As Featured in Ultralearning by Scott H. Young!

Learning to draw is hard. But it’s doubly hard if you don’t have the right technique. Using the approach outlined in this course, I was able to get a lot better at drawing portraits in just one month. Vitruvian Studio is my go-to source for art instruction online.

– Scott H. Young

A Clear, Step-by-Step Method for Drawing Beautiful, Life-Like Portraits.

If you’ve ever tried to draw a portrait, you already know that it’s difficult. To get the results you want, there are so many things that have to be done correctly that it can seem overwhelming. When you see beautiful portraits by others, they often seem like magic, and can leave you wondering how did they do that?

I’m not here to tell you that portrait drawing isn’t hard. It is. It’s one of the hardest things you can attempt – right up there with learning to play an instrument or speak a new language.

But I am here to tell you that successful portraits are the product of a sound method. Good results come from good decisions. Good decisions come in part from knowing what to do, what to look for, and in what sequence. That knowledge is what a good drawing method can provide, which is what I teach my students.

The lateral surface of the nasal wing turns downward laterally, and turns <em>up and inside</em> the nose for a short distance.

The lateral surface of the nasal wing turns downward laterally, and turns up and inside the nose for a short distance.

Once points A and B are known, we can find point C by gauging the angles from A to C, and from B to C. These hypothetical lines will intersect at C.

The Anithelix has a clear tapering “trumpet” shape, broad across the top and tapering down to it’s terminus next to the Antitragus.

An illustration of the "twisting" orientation of the upper lip toward the corners of the mouth.

The paper I'm using is about a 6.75 on a Munsell value scale. Everything lighter than the paper will require chalk, while everything darker will require graphite, or the 7B/8B pencils.

Under a local, radial light source, the edges of cast shadows will get "fuzzier" the further out they extend. The fuzzy halo around a cast shadow is called the "penumbra". The darker "core" of the shadow is called the "umbra".

What You’ll Learn in Portrait Drawing – The Online Course

A sequential method for drawing that works for drawing anything – not just portraits.
Methods of measuring and sighting that help you understand the proportions of your subject and help you identify and solve problems.
Details about the drawing materials I use and why.
How to use “squinting” to understand the value relationships on your subject and in your drawing.
How to capture subtle curvature easily and accurately.
How to draw natural-looking facial features through understanding the major structural characteristics of the eyes, ears, nose and mouth.
How to use value progressions to capture the effect of the light and make a portrait appear 3-dimensional.

Here's What Our Students Say:

I want you to know that I have tried other online courses and you are the best one out there. Your method of teaching is just great. I have watched the first two lessons completely at least 6 times, and each time I pick something up. Usually it is just something so small it can be overlooked easily. My work has gotten better because of it and for that I truly thank you.

– Ray, Wooster, OH

I just completed my first time through the lesson! I am totally impressed and inspired. I first thought I would watch the lessons through a couple of times and then attempt a portrait drawing on my own using my newly learned skills. After the detailed instruction, I believe I can begin after one time through and use the lessons as a reference in the process. I can’t wait to begin. I have sought portrait instruction through the years in books and classes but have not found one that offered so much material and so easily followed. I am a self taught artist. You have added a whole new dimension to my learning curve. Thank you.

– Chris, Charlotte, NC

I just wanted to send huge thanks for the information that you have given me in order to further my development in portrait drawing. I am speechless of how much I have learned within the small period of time I have spent with the drawing course. I am more than excited to tackle the rest of the course! Thanks again!

– Jo, Porter, TX

Thank you for making a product that is exactly what you say it was. I’ve seen your competitors claim things like, “complete portrait drawing lessons, from start to finish.” The actual content they offer is laughable compared to what is offered here. I’ve spent the last 8-9 months scouring the internet for exactly this kind of drawing tuition, but I simply did not believe that it was available; at any price. I hope you sell a million of these.

– Sam, Knoxville, TN

This is the best drawing class I have ever taken. Its structure, videos, notes, flexibility and ability to contact the featured artist make it a thorough and enlightening course. I have learnt so much and while I am very happy with the end result, the class has made me recognise further areas that need improvement and has given me the ability to improve on those. I look forward to doing the class again and then taking on the challenge of working with other portrait subjects.

– Nancy, Newcastle, NSW, AUSTRALIA

Want a Sneak Peek?

The lesson video above is from Lesson 2.6 of the course. With the block-in nearly completed, I discuss how to check your progress to ensure there are no major errors before proceeding to the next step.

Here’s What You’ll Get Instant Access To:

5 Step-by-Step Modules, each containing multiple lessons. Over 10 hours of video content in all.
Downloadable PDF Guides for each module.
Lifetime Access to the Course -- Go At Your Own Pace
Free Lifetime Updates.
Access to live-streaming video demonstrations on our website.

Get Started for Free!

An image of Vitruvian Studio's Drawing Materials Guide.

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