Reflective Art in Practice: Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media and Art History: Exploring Portraiture

We very much look forward to welcoming both new and returning students to the University of Southampton. 

Exploring Portraiture

In this course we will examine attitudes to the portrait, which change to reflect society and art historical developments. Practical exercises will be undertaken in class using drawing materials, paint and collage with personal references as a starting point.

This module combines lectures, a seminar component (discussions and analysis of artworks) and a workshop element. The latter (one and a half hour per two hour session) will explore various artistic styles and practical techniques in drawing, painting and mixed media.

This course will take place in person on Tuesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm starting on 14 January 2025 and finishing on 4 March 2025.

Please see our price list below:

Reflective Art in Practice: Exploring Portraiture - 8 week course

• Standard price - £145.00
• Staff/student/alumni price - £125.00

Please note: if you select the staff/student/alumni price option, you must use an online store account that has been set up with your University email address and fill out your University staff or student ID number when prompted as part of the questionnaire data section.

When booking a course please consult our Terms and Conditions which set out our cancellation and refund policy.

For further information about this course, please click on Read More below.

Course Description

Please see further details about this course below:-

Week 1. Part 1- Introduction: the Nature of Portraiture

• Leonardo da Vinci
• Titian
• Albrecht Durer

Part 2 – Drawing skills: pencil

Week 2. Dutch Portraits

Part 1 – Looking at light

• Rembrandt
• Vermeer
• Frans Hals

Part 2- Workshop: Charcoal and white pastel

Week 3. Society Portraits

Part 1 – Realism

• Gainsborough
• Van Dyke
• Reynolds

Part 2 – Workshop: Pastel

Week 4. Impressionism

Part 1 – Colour and meaning

• Manet
• Monet
• Singer Sargeant

Part 2 – Workshop: Watercolour

Week 5. Expressionism

Part 1 – Painting emotions

• Van Gogh
• Gaugin
• Munch

Part 2 – Workshop: Acrylic

Week 6. Decadence in Society

Part 1 – Line and pattern

• Gustav Klimt
• Egon Schiele
• Chuck Close

Part 2 – Workshop: Collage and mixed media

Week 7. Artists and sitters

Part 1 – Truth to vision

• Lucian Freud
• Frank Auerbach
• Jenny Saville

Part 2 – Workshop: Acrylic

Week 8. Contemporary Art and Portraiture

Part 1 – Mixed Messages

• Gary Hume
• Lynette Yiadom - Boakye
• Cindy Sherman

Part 2 – Workshop: Mixed media