Portrait Drawing Course - Live Model

Working with a live model allows us to create not only a technically well-constructed portrait but also to capture the unique personality and atmosphere of our subject.

We’ll begin by focusing on the structure of the head, learning to measure its proportions in relation to the neck and shoulders. You'll learn how to properly layout your drawing on paper, making sure it fits naturally within the format—neither too big nor too small.

A key part of the course will be understanding the basics of muscle anatomy and the entire musculoskeletal system. We’ll practice visualizing how muscles move in our own bodies and then translate that understanding into our drawings. Basic geometry and the relationships between masses will also aid us in this process.

Next, we’ll pay close attention to the model’s posture, which reveals how the human body functions, where muscle tension contrasts with areas of relaxation. Every portrait is unique, and you’ll learn how to respect and capture this individuality in your work.

We’ll tune into our model’s atmosphere, focusing on what is characteristic and natural for them, and how to maintain that atmosphere throughout the completion of the artwork. You’ll learn to observe both the model and your drawing from different distances and angles, which will help you capture the overall impression—a crucial aspect of your work.

The course emphasizes not just the personality of the model but also your own unique style. We’ll explore what feels natural and typical for you, which will help you express exactly what you want in your work. It's important for each student to realize that their own artistic style is already within them—it just needs time and space to emerge. Drawing takes time, and progress happens gradually.

Throughout the course, you’ll work alongside your fellow students on the same model. Comparing your work with others will give you insight into your current skills, what you're capable of, and where you might need improvement. This comparison is invaluable and healthy, as it also allows you to learn from your peers. We’ll discuss what we see in each other’s work, what works and what doesn’t. You'll develop the ability to form your own opinions about what you like and dislike, and learn to articulate and describe the feelings that others' artwork evokes in you. We’ll also practice receiving and processing both positive and negative feedback constructively—skills that are just as important as the drawing itself.

The course is led by the excellent instructor MgA Barbora Chládková, a figurative sculptor who graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, specializing in Figurative Sculpture and Medal Art. She founded her own studio, Ateliér Lesnická in Smíchov, where she taught modeling and portrait drawing from a live model. She also spent eight years teaching at the Architectural Institute in Prague (ARCHIP), an international university focused on foreign students.

Where? Art Studio Malování kreslení, Balbínova 28, Prague
When? Tuesdays, 20:15 - 22:15 (19 sessions, 2 hours each)
Cost? Membership fee A, (8,500 CZK)
Sign up? Reserve your spot in advance by emailing info@malovanikresleni.cz, calling 777 422 022, or using the registration form.