Expressive portraiture is a style of art that focuses on a subjects emotions, story, and connection to the viewer. This can involve an unconventional usage of the materials we work with, and alternative solutions for finding the shapes and forms. In this class, we will be exploring the 6 major emotions, how they transform the head into an orchestration of rhythms and shapes that defy our academic training, and the best suited use of our drawing tools to properly convey each of them.
Previous head drawing experience is not necessary but is helpful in following along with the class lectures.
A virtual room link will be sent to you up to 24 hours prior to your class start date.
Complimentary 10-day access to each recorded session. Recordings are emailed the day after each live session.
Paper should start around 16″ x 20″ in size, and unless you are planning to do full figure portraits, 18″ x 24″ is the largest you would want to go with a portrait.
16″ x 20″ or 18″ x 24″ Newsprint for making gestural studies
Drawing Paper – Strathmore, Seth Cole, Canson, or any other brand of simple drawing paper from stores like Michael’s
Tracing Paper for stencils and for iterations of our ideas
Shop Towels for drawing with and cleaning up the charcoal
Make-up foam Pads
Blending Stumps
Charcoal Pencils – Generals 2B and 4B grades
Vine Charcoal, any brand
Nitram Charcoal Sticks
Charcoal Powder
Watercolor tray for charcoal powder
Plastic Eraser
Kneaded Eraser
This online course requires the use of the Zoom program. You will need a computer, tablet or smartphone (with camera preferred) and internet. To download the program, click on the following link: zoom.us/download.
A Zoom meeting link will be sent to you up to 24 hours prior to your class start date. If you need help with Zoom, please let us know and we will schedule a short tutorial for you prior to your class.
Ron Lemen has had an eclectic artistic past, working consistently in the entertainment art industry and as an art instructor. Ron first went in to the Action Sports Industry working as a layout artist, logo designer, and board graphic illustrator. Moving on to more involved illustrations and conceptual design, he went back to school and is a graduate of the Atelier System, classically trained, and a former pupil of Sebastian Capella, Spanish portrait virtuoso.
Ron Lemen has been a concept designer and art director in the video game industry for 20 years with dozens of clients including Sony, Activision, Ubi Soft, Mattel and more. Now freelancing full-time, his clients include Upper Deck, Image Comics, Birdhouse Projects, Disney, and more. In addition, to illustrating and Portrait Painting, Ron has been an art instructor for the last 16 years.
Course Changes or Cancellations
LAAFA reserves the right to cancel any class/workshop, limit workshop size, change class/workshop times or substitute instructors for those listed in the schedule.
If a class/workshop is cancelled; students may transfer to another class/workshop, use credit on artschoolvideos.com, keep credit on file or be issued a full refund.
Refunds and Transfers
All online classes and workshops are non-refundable.
Absences
There are no make-ups available for online courses. Students are emailed a 10-day access to each recorded session, made available the next day after the live session.
Information
Campus Address
16926 Saticoy Street
Van Nuys, CA 91406
(818) 708-9232
contactus@laafa.edu
Business Hours
Phone Hours: Mon-Fri, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Main Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
