Bill Karaffa is a practicing Pittsburgh-based artist who focuses on capturing the portrait in many of his works. His focus is on the technical aspects of portraiture drawing. His work has been successfully accepted into a variety of international, national and regional art exhibitions.
The first part of the workshop will develop the student’s ability to accurately draw the human head/face. The focus for the first day will be on understanding the basics of facial anatomy, proportions of a human head, facial gestures and expressions, rendering facial planes and forms, and how to capture a likeness of a sitter. The first day will utilize a variety of hand outs, and reference photography. The instructor will cover the use of photography and some of the pros/cons and adjustments necessary.
The second day of the workshop will address rendering forms under lighting conditions and will culminate in a 3 to 4 hour long pose session with a live model.
Sessions may include brief demos by the artist to show the processes being discussed.
The instructor will provide a variety of hands-on insights and suggestions to participants as they complete the various assignments.
Two day series only. $10-$15 model fee depending on number of students.
Student Materials List - Drawing Supplies
Graphite Pencils HB, B, 2B, 3B to 5B
Charcoal Pencils or Sticks in Hard, Medium and Soft
Generals White Caulk Pencils
Willow and/or Vine Charcoal
Sharpeners and Sanding Blocks
Erasers (gum and stick)
Newsprint paper 18 x 24
Strathmore 400 or 500 Grey or Tan Toned 18 x 24 or 22 x 30 (2 Sheets)
Drawing Board (Gator or MDF) 22 x 30
Tape or Clips
Easel or Table Easel
Maximum class size: 16
Minimum class size: 6
