{"id":39064,"date":"2023-02-10T13:39:38","date_gmt":"2023-02-10T13:39:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=39064"},"modified":"2026-04-03T00:48:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T00:48:55","slug":"charcoal-drawing-course-portrait","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/charcoal-drawing-course-portrait","title":{"rendered":"Charcoal Drawing Course &#8211; Portrait"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1><span>The Charcoal Drawing Course:<\/span> Portrait<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"insertbackground\">\n<div class=\"removep\">\n<div class=\"videoflexwrapper\">\n<div class=\"videotop\">\n  <iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/816293314?h=69a77c86c5\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebartop\">\n<div class=\"vertalign\">\n<div class=\"logoimage\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/logosmall75.png\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarcarddescriptiondark\"><span>JOIN THE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR<\/span><br \/>\n    Get ALL of our courses, ebooks, live lessons, critiques, lesson plans and more today.<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbuttonholder\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttonsmem\">START FREE TRIAL<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<hr style=\"background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:1.5em;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/register-charcoal-drawing-course\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttons\">BUY SINGLE COURSE $67<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperkscontainer\">\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><span>This course features:<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"far fa-clock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Over 2.5 Hours of Instruction<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-film\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>19 Videos<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-book\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>5 eBooks<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-shield-alt\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/i>30 Day Money Back Guarantee<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p>\n\n<div class=\"contentfix\">\n<div class=\"favorites\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tabs\">\n<input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-1\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-1\" class=\"label\">Lessons <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Course Curriculum<\/h2>\n\n<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"curriculumcontainer\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/charcoal-drawing-course-introduction-and-materials\/\" class=\"curriculum\"><strong>MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION AND MATERIALS<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/charcoal-drawing-course-basic-forms-2\/\" class=\"curriculum\"><strong>MODULE 2: BASIC FORMS<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/charcoal-drawing-course-landscape\/\" class=\"curriculum\"><strong>MODULE 3: LANDSCAPE<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/charcoal-drawing-course-animal-portrait\/\" class=\"curriculum\"><strong>MODULE 4: ANIMAL PORTRAIT<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/charcoal-drawing-course-portrait\/\" class=\"curriculum\"><strong>MODULE 5: PORTRAIT<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/I>Lesson 1: Materials and Transfer (5:23)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 2: Thinking in Reverse (10:53)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 3: Developing Value (10:43)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 4: Completing the Drawing (14:16)<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-2\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-2\" class=\"label\">Description <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:3px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Description<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe <em>Charcoal Drawing Course: Portrait<\/em> lesson series is a focused and expressive study in creating dramatic portraiture using charcoal \u2014 specifically white charcoal on black paper. This unique approach flips traditional charcoal techniques on their head: instead of starting with a light surface and adding dark values, students begin with a rich black ground and build up light values to define form. The result is a luminous, high-contrast portrait that feels both striking and atmospheric.\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Charcoal-Portrait-White-Charcoal-1000.jpg\" alt=\"Portrait with white charcoal on black paper\"><\/p>\n<h2>Why White Charcoal on Black Paper?<\/h2>\n<p>\nDrawing on black paper with white charcoal encourages artists to think in terms of light rather than shadow. In traditional graphite or charcoal portraiture on white paper, artists push dark values to create form; in this lesson series, you pull light out of darkness. This reversal strengthens observational skills and deepens understanding of value relationships, teaching you to see and translate the subtleties of light falling across planes of the face.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Lesson 1: Observation and Planning<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe series opens with careful attention to observation. Before applying any medium to paper, students learn how to analyze the reference subject, noting planes of the face, light direction, and key landmarks that define likeness and expression. This preparatory stage emphasizes measuring proportions, positioning features, and sketching a light foundation so that the dramatic highlights on black paper can be placed accurately as the drawing progresses.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Lesson 2: Establishing the Structure<\/h2>\n<p>\nOnce you understand the reference and have a light framework in place, the next step is establishing basic structure with white charcoal. This lesson shows how to mark the major lightest areas across the portrait \u2014 from the forehead and cheekbones to the bridge of the nose and lips \u2014 creating a rough map of illumination. These broad strokes help define the general form and ensure that the portrait feels cohesive before details are developed.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Lesson 3: Defining Features with Value<\/h2>\n<p>\nWith structure established, students begin refining facial features through careful layering of white charcoal. Emphasis is placed on translating subtle value shifts and capturing the characteristics that make each portrait unique. Whether it\u2019s the glint in an eye, the curve of a nostril, or the shape of a smile, this lesson demonstrates how incremental layers of white charcoal can suggest depth, dimension, and texture on black paper.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Lesson 4: Enhancing Contrast and Depth<\/h2>\n<p>\nAs the portrait develops, attention shifts to deepening contrast, strengthening edges, and fully sculpting form. Students learn how to use erasers not to remove marks but to sharpen highlights and refine transitions between light values. This lesson teaches how to accentuate contrast without losing nuance \u2014 an essential skill for achieving a dramatic, believable portrait.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Lesson 5: Final Refinements and Expression<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe final stage of the series focuses on polish and expression. Students learn how to balance tonal relationships, finalize intricate details, and ensure that the portrait feels unified from top to bottom. By the end of the series, you\u2019ll have completed a dramatic white charcoal portrait on black paper and gained a deep understanding of value, observation, and expressive mark-making that can elevate all types of drawing.\n<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-3\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-3\" class=\"label\">Materials <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Materials<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>2H Graphite Pencil<\/li>\n<li>White Compressed Charcoal Pencil<\/li>\n<li>Kneaded Eraser<\/li>\n<li>Vinyl Eraser<\/li>\n<li>Electric Eraser<\/li>\n<li>Blending Stumps or Tortillions<\/li>\n<li>Coal Black Strathmore Artagain Drawing Paper<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-4\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-4\" class=\"label\">Resources <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Resources<\/h2>\n<h4>References<\/h4>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Photo Reference<\/p>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Finished Drawing<\/p>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Download eBook<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbottom\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Your Instructor<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructor\">\n<div class=\"instructorimage\">\n<div class=\"instructorpic\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/images\/mattauthor.jpg\" alt=\"Matt Fussell - Instructor\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"instructorname\">Matt Fussell<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructordes\">\n<p>Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.<\/p>\n<p><div style=\"padding-top:10px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/author\/admin\">Learn more about Matt<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relatedcoursescontainer\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Related Courses and Classes<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/mastering-metal-with-graphite-and-white-charcoal\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Mastering Metal<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Mastering-Metal-Graphite-White-Charcoal.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/figure-drawing-with-charcoal\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Charcoal Figure Drawing<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/charcoal-figure-drawing-lesson-series.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/ostrich-with-charcoal\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Ostrich with Charcoal<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/ostrich-with-charcoal-drawing-lesson-series-1.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><script>\nfunction myFunction(x) {\n  if (x.matches) { \/\/ If media query matches\n    radiobtn = 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Description The Charcoal Drawing Course: Portrait lesson series is a focused and expressive study in creating dramatic portraiture using charcoal \u2014 specifically white charcoal on black paper. This unique approach flips traditional charcoal techniques on their head: instead of starting with a light surface and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"paget-iframe.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39064","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39064","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39064"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39064\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46135,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39064\/revisions\/46135"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39064"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39064"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}