Draw a Face: A Sketchbook Workshop

Over four sessions, we’ll fill a small sketchbook cover to cover, building a personal visual language for drawing the human face. This isn’t about perfecting a single “correct” likeness, it’s about developing range, confidence, and your own style and character through repetition and play.

The course costs £40 (all materials provided) and will be held over four Saturdays 10am - 12pm: 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st October.

Each session introduces a new technique or lens:

Session 1: Foundations

Proportion, structure, and observational drawing basics to build a reliable framework

Session 2: Drawing through other artists’ eyes

We’ll study and riff on the mark-making, linework, and stylization of illustrators and painters known for their approach to faces, translating their techniques into your own hand

Session 3: Self-portraiture & classmates

Using mirrors to explore how mood, angle, and mark-making shift a likeness, quick studies and longer sittings of your classmates.

Session 4: Live model

We close with a live model sitting, bringing together everything explored across the sketchbook into a sustained, focused study.

By the end, you'll leave with a completed sketchbook: A working record of experiments, discoveries and a stronger more personal approach to drawing faces.

All levels welcome: goal is exploration not perfection.

The class is led by Rosie Bayliss, an artist and writer with a background in drawing, painting and creating narrative. She studied Fine Art and Writing at the University of the West of England and on graduating received the Dreamtime Fellowship in partnership with Spike Island for the year 2022 - 2023. She is interested in experimentation in art making and the benefit of creative practice for our wellbeing.