Portrait Drawing from Life

March 11- April 8, 2026

5 Weeks, Wednesdays, 6 - 8:30PM

Instructor: Mel Tychonievich

This all-levels portrait drawing class focuses on strengthening foundational drafting skills through sustained drawing from the live model. Students will develop a deeper understanding of proportion, structure, gesture, and likeness while learning to observe the human head with accuracy and sensitivity. Emphasis is placed on perceptual awareness, anatomical landmarks, and the relationships between forms. Through a combination of demonstrations, guided exercises, and extended poses, students will refine their ability to construct the basic shapes of the head, measure effectively for accuracy, and resolve complex features. Individual feedback will support each student’s growth at their own level, making the course equally beneficial for beginners building fundamentals, as well as advanced students seeking to sharpen precision and clarity in their portrait work.

See syllabus for material list, and plan for each week of class.

Ages 18+ The model for this course will be clothed, but a parent/guardian must sign a waiver to allow any minor to take the course. If you are registering a minor, please contact the Education Coordinator to request a waiver.

$150 Members | $200 Non-Members

If you must cancel, please email (info@stlouisartistsguild.org) or call STLAG. A refund will be given only if cancellation occurs seven days prior to the first day of class. No exceptions. Refunds will be processed minus a $25 withdrawal fee.

St. Louis Artists Guild is committed to providing educational experiences to as many people as possible. We are pleased to offer sliding-scale scholarships to make classes and workshops more accessible to our community, adults & children. If you are interested in scholarship information please contact Kathryn Nahorski, Membership and Development Director, at knahorski@stlouisartistsguild.org