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GW - Face to Face: Drawing Portraits
June 16-19, 2025 - Amana Arts Guild




  Explore the captivating world of portraiture with Susanne Sudmeier in this immersive, four-day workshop designed to build confidence and refine skills in drawing the human face. Ideal for artists at any stage, this course covers foundational techniques for understanding head structure, achieving accurate proportions, and developing advanced observational skills essential to portraying the subtle features that define different ages. Participants will practice with Susanne''s guidance, receiving feedback and support as they work from both live models and personal reference photos. Emphasis will be placed on selecting effective reference materials, addressing the unique challenges of photo-based drawing, and learning strategies to create dynamic, lifelike portraits.

Beyond traditional methods, the workshop will introduce alternative surfaces and innovative media, including water-soluble graphite. Students will complete a large-scale portrait and engage with a final project on a non-traditional surface, offering fresh perspectives and sparking creative possibilities. Educators will leave with a toolkit of adaptable techniques for classroom teaching, enhancing their instructional repertoire. This workshop is an invaluable opportunity to deepen technical expertise while discovering new media and strategies that inspire captivating portraits.

Guest Artist: Susanne Sudmeier
$110 Amana Arts Guild Fee
$15 material fee

Paid separately to Amana Arts Guild




Important Session Information:


Recommended Supplies for Students to Bring:

Graphite pencils (a range from 2B and softer)

White chalk pencil (i.e. General’s white “charcoal” pencil, Cretacolor white chalk

pencil, or a white pastel pencil)

Pencil sharpener

Erasers: Polymer, kneaded rubber, and a stick eraser (so useful)

Vine or Willow Charcoal (just a few sticks will be fine)

Soft charcoal pencil(s)

Lyra water soluble 6B crayon (add a 9B if you like—it is rich and dark)

Lyra graphite crayon sharpener (pricey, but it’s worth it)

Sketchbook

Small watercolor palette with 4-6 wells

Watercolor brushes (variety; student quality is fine)

1” to 2” brush for applying gesso (foam or bristle)

Fine sandpaper

Drawing board minimum size of 18x24” (a sheet of smooth Masonite/mason board

works well)

Masking tape (or similar) to tape paper to drawing board

Spray workable fixative

Wet wipes/baby wipes (charcoal is very messy)

Photo for first face drawing; a photocopy is perfect. Instructor will have options to

work from available.

Two Photos: family members, friend or self-portrait (you want to make these

personal)

Optional Items to Bring:

Items to create texture such as texture plates, stencils, hardy branches and leaves,

unexpected items from around your home

Hair dryer

Table easel


Materials Fee: $15

The instructor will provide:

Birch Panels 9x12 

Drawing paper 80 lb, 9x12 

Strathmore toned, 300 gsm paper 18x24 

Clear gesso 

Black pastel stick (3 per student) 

White gouache 

Photocopies of faces for drawing reference 

Variety of textural tools, interesting surface 

options, dry and water-soluble drawing media

Session Notes:


Students will have until July 19, 2025, to complete out-of-class work.
Registration ends at 11:59 PM on Sunday, June 6, 2027

Session ID:
50777
Seats:
0 / 24
Credit Type & Fee 


Date Time Location
6/16/2025 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Amana Arts Guild - TBD
1210 G St, Amana, 52203
6/17/2025 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Amana Arts Guild - TBD
1210 G St, Amana, 52203
6/18/2025 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Amana Arts Guild - TBD
1210 G St, Amana, 52203
6/19/2025 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Amana Arts Guild - TBD
1210 G St, Amana, 52203
4401 Sixth Street SW, Cedar Rapids IA 52404 | Phone 319-399-6700 | gwaeapd@gwaea.org
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