Smile - It’s Portraiture Masterclass!

Having magnificently foiled my plans to take Art Society’s portraiture masterclass with a friend, I found myself rocking up all alone to St Salvator’s Quad at 5pm on Wednesday 8 October. I had a belly full of nerves and a bag devoid of mark-making materials. For the next two hours, I would be drawing, but under what circumstances? If it was anything like my A-levels, the pressure was on.

Immediately after locating my spot in the beautiful School III, I found a room full of girls. Some had come in pairs, but lots had come alone like me. Everyone was inclined to chat to their neighbour, the tables forming a semi-circle around our sitter, Clara Costa. I made friends with the girl next to me and soon discovered that we went to the same sixth form. It certainly was a friendly environment, and I was glad of it. 

First, we were given paper and chose our charcoals. Next, Andreas Klein, Art Society’s resident artist, narrated us through the first twenty-minute block of shaping our sitter. We were to find these shapes in straight lines, find a clearer likeness, and then shade the darker spaces of the drawing in blocks. Each stage was cushioned by a break full of chatting and mutual admiration.

Klein’s narration was like listening to a calming podcast. He taught us how to take measurements and angles with the pencil, how to use straight lines and shadow shapes. At the start of the class, it was the natural light from the windows that guided us. As the sun set, the strong artificial lighting took over and created bold, beautiful shadows. 

There is something peculiar about staring at a person for two hours without knowing them. I caught Costa, our sitter, on her way out to ask how she manages to sit patiently for so long. “To keep physically still, I choose a focal point: that little blue light at the back of the room. But mentally, it’s like meditation. It is difficult not to think about essays and due dates.”

She also spoke about being perceived. “Having the confidence to be studied doesn’t mean you are immune to self-criticism, and seeing one’s insecurities on paper can be daunting.”

I then asked Klein and committee member Tulla Burnet how they know when to stop. Klein reflected on the class’s artistic method and purpose –– “The aim of the class is not to make a final portrait but to be intentional. You can always improve, so there is value in taking things slow.”

Burnet agreed, adding, “I find I stop too easily, so there is challenge and reward in returning to the portrait and sticking with it.”

I feel fortunate that I have found the Art Society in my fourth year. It is a place of genuine curiosity, encouragement, and joy. People can go alone and make friends. They can develop their skills. They can study beautiful things and listen to beautiful playlists (The Beatles, Pulp, and Big Thief, just to name a few). I would heartily recommend testing it out –– perhaps the life drawing classes held in School VI every Tuesday. I, for one, will certainly be back.

Photo by Andreas Klein