Course 1005, section 1: Summer Quarter 2008
Learn to Draw Faces

Instructor: Nils Osmar
Sponsored by: ASUW Experimental College
Location: University of Washington campus (Seattle branch)
Summer quarter dates and times: Saturdays 11 am-12:45 pm, July 19-August 9
Course fee (for General Public): $99 
(Scroll down for registration information)

In this class you'll learn to draw realistic, recognizable faces and portraits using an easy step-by-step method, with or without a model, even if you've never drawn before.  We'll begin by sketching some faces based on underlying shapes, learn about the proportions, then adding shading and details.  You'll learn about features, angles and expressions and how to use "right brain" methods such as negative space to make your sketch look more like the person you're drawing.  Absolute beginners welcome.  Nothing to bring or buy; all materials are provided.

Frequently asked questions

What will we be doing in the class?
Learn to Draw Faces is an easy, step-by-step course. We'll start off with some exercises to help students get comfortable with the materials, then try drawing some faces in the front view, working step by step. You'll learn about proportions, how to get the shape of the face, where to place the eyes, ears, nose, and so on. (The instructor will draw a face in front view on the chalkboard, showing the proportions and other details, asking you to work along.) (more info below...)

We'll practice the front view for a while, working from drawings and photos. After that, we'll move on to:

- how to draw faces from the side view and other angles (again, we'll try each angle, step by step, get the shape of the face and proportions down, then move on to the next angle when we're ready)

- how to draw the features (eyes, ears, noses, mouths, teeth)

- how to draw hair

- how to draw both men's and women's faces, and people whose ancestors came from different parts of the world

- how to draw facial expressions and emotions, such as happiness, anger, sadness, fear, sleepiness, embarrassment

- how do do shading and add in textures

- You'll also learn how to use "negative space" (the shape of the space around the person you're drawing) to help get a good resemblance when you're working from a photograph

- and more 

 

By the end of the course, you should be comfortable drawing realistic, accurately proportioned faces with or without a model. And you'll have better skills for making a face look like a particular person you have in mind. You'll have fun, draw a lot, and learn a lot.

It sounds fun! But I've never drawn before. Should I take a beginning drawing class first?
Learn to Draw Faces is an easy, step-by-step class and is open to everyone, regardless of experience level. Both beginners and experienced artists usually do well in the course. (If you are looking for a good introductory drawing class, check out Drawing for absolute beginners, by the same instructor. But again, you're welcome in the Faces class whether you take the beginning drawing class or not.)

Is it really possible to learn the basics of drawing faces, in only four weeks?
Yes, absolutely. Both experienced artists and students who've never drawn before report that the class often makes a night and day difference in their drawings. 

Will we cover the rest of the figure? Or only faces?
Our focus in this class is on faces. If you'd like to learn how to draw the rest of the body, you should also take Figure Drawing Made Easy,

Do I need to bring any materials, or buy them in class?
No, all materials are provided by the instructor. 

Can you tell me more about the instructor?
Nils Osmar has made his living in the arts for over twenty years, working as a freelance illustrator, writer and independent film producer, and teaching both accredited and non-credit classes. He currently teaches through the ASUW Experimental College and the Wonder School of the Arts, His art classes at the Experimental College include Drawing for absolute beginners, Figure Drawing, Cartooning, Exploring Color, Drawing Flowers, and Perspective for Beginners(All of them are open to beginners)

How do I sign up?

Student comments about this course

Good pace...I didn't get bored which happens so many times in things like this. Good hints and tips. I felt I could actually draw a face when it was over. (comment submitted online)

The instructor was knowledgeable, friendly, and encouraging. He was very responsive to people's questions and made good suggestions. (comment submitted online)

Hands on practice. Didn't think I'd be drawing that in depth that quickly.  (comment submitted online)

Instructor's organization and style of communicating making everyone comfortable and accepted, plus helpful feed back  (comment submitted online)

I just wanted to say thanks for the class. I really liked it, and learned a lot. - Gene J. (Seattle)

I took (the workshop) because I was hoping to learn enough to do a portrait of my granddaughter for Christmas. I feel ready to tackle it now. Thanks so much. - Terry R. (Bellevue)

Thanks again for the class. It was great. The information about angles and proportions was just what I was looking for. - Nina G. (Bellevue)

Thanks, Nils. I enjoyed your class very much and may take your general drawing class or maybe even this one on faces again. You are a good instructor and obviously a talented artist. - Jan S, Seattle

It was helpful to learn about proportions, shading, andles and so on. I went back to the first drawing and realized how much I learned. Actually it was amazing. Again, thank you for your help. - Lee Y., Bellevue

Your Faces class was excellent. - Charlie M., Seattle

I wanted to improve on proportions and expressions... it worked out great. I feel way more comfortable and confident. I'm amazed at how much we covered. - A. Pell, Seattle

Registration information: how to sign up

Learn to Draw Faces is sponsored by the ASUW (Associated Students University of Washington) Experimental College, and is held on the U.W. campus in Seattle. It's a non-credit class open to everyone; you do not have to be a U.W. student to attend. The University of Washington is committed to providing equal access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accomodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accomodations, contact the Disability Office at least ten days in advance at: (206)543-6450/V, (206)543-6452/TTY, (206)685-7264 (fax) or email dso@u.washington.edu

To sign up by mail: You can sign up by mail at any time. To do so, click here to download the mail-in registration formThen fill it out and mail it to: ASUW Experimental College Box 352238 SAO 21 University of Washington Seattle WA 98195-2238 (Note: mail-in registrations won't be processed until June 23rd.)

To sign up online: Online registration for summer quarter Experimental College classes will begin on June 9th. (Please do not try signing up online before that time! Or you may end up in the spring quarter class instead.) We'll post a registration link here when summer online registrations begin.

To sign up by phone: Phone registrations for summer quarter Experimental College classeswill begin onJune 23rd We'll post more information here at that time.
Want an email reminder about registrations? To be added to the instructor's email list, email Nilsosmar@gmail.com You'll receive an email reminder when online and phone registrations begin.

Whatever method you use to register, you will only be charged a $10 registration fee for each class you are enrolling in, when you sign up (or $5 if you are a UW student.) The course fee is not due until the first day of class.

Questions? Problems registering? Call 206-420-1309 or emailNilsosmar@gmail.com

Other classes of interest

Sponsored by the ASUW Experimental College:
Drawing for absolute beginners
Learn to Draw Faces
Figure Drawing for beginners 
Cartooning
Perspective for Beginners: Drawing in Depth
Drawing Clothing and Drapery
Exploring Color
Beginning Acting
Acting in a Movie
Filmmaking 101
Writing Fiction and Short Stories
It's Time to Write Your Screenplay
Adobe Photoshop

Sponsored by other schools *
Drawing & painting Flowers
Drawing in Ink
Drawing comic books and graphic novels
Acrylic painting for beginners
Drawing with colored pencils
Documentary filmmaking
Editing tips & tricks for filmmakers
FX Makeup for filmmakers
Improv for beginners: acting without scripts
How to make commercials & infomercials
Free up your writing! (Beyond writer's block)
Writing science fiction & fantasy

* click on the course title for registration information