About the class

This is an eight-week course in which we will focus on the basics of creating form with value, structure, and comparative measurement. The methods that I will share with you will give you a toolbox of skills for portraiture, as well as being extremely valuable in drawing and painting any other subject matter. Portraiture is often considered the most challenging of all subjects, simply because we have been trained to “read” faces ever since we were born! Therefore, we can tell when something is “off.” I will teach the system I have developed, while also visiting the Loomis Method and the theories behind Leonardo da Vinci. I know you will be inspired!

Week One
Creating form: exploring value (lights, darks and shadows) and how we can make form. We will start with black and white, and introduce the temperatures of color.

Week Two
Classic measurements for portraits using the Loomis method and Leonardo DaVinci, to create an accurate assessment of our model’s face and head. We will start with a frontal view and explore how our measurements change as the head turns in space.

Week Three
Features of the face: includes the structure of the features, and again how these features’ appearances change based on the direction of the head.

Week Four
Color in skin tones. Regardless of what we perceive as a person’s skin tone, there are basic rules of temperature in different parts of the face based on the thickness of the skin and how close the blood is to the surface of the skin.

Week Five
Using a reference photo, we will explore various skin tones and head positions. The use of color temperatures will have an effect not only on what we see, but how we perceive our model.

Week Six
Continuing to capture a variety of model positions and skin tones as well as notes on hair, glasses, clothes and background.

Week Seven
Using a photo reference of personal interest, we will employ the methods we have used to develop a portrait of personal choice. This is optional!

Week Eight
Choosing two of the pieces that have brought you the most challenge and/or the most satisfaction, we will share with others and discuss the journey traveled.

Are you an SCC Member? All Memberships(Excluding the $50/year tier) receive 10% off any purchase above $40. You should have received your discount code in your membership confirmation email.

If you have any questions regarding the use of your code, you can contact Sean Baskin at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org or call the office at (707)938-4626.

Not a member? View more information about our monthly and yearly plans here.

The Sonoma Community Center is committed to creating an accessible learning environment. If you require any special considerations(medical, physical, learning) please share them with Sean Baskin, Program Associate, by emailing him at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.

About the instructor

Deirdre Shibano

Instructor / Artist

Deirdre Shibano is an award-winning artist specializing in portraiture and figurative work. She is also known for her plein air landscape paintings. Her work is in private collections across the United States and abroad. Originally trained at the Art Students League in NYC, Shibano received the Merit Scholarship Award for Excellence and The Ford Foundation Grant. She is trained in both the Classical Approach to painting and in Abstract Expressionism.

Questions and Answers

What skill level is right for me?

• All Levels
• Welcomes participants from beginning through advanced. Instructor provides a balanced and flexible curriculum suitable for participants with any level of experience.
• Beginning
• Participant has little to no experience with this medium and needs or expects guidance at every step during the class. Participant wants to learn about materials, techniques, and vocabulary of the medium.
• Intermediate
• Participant is comfortable with the medium and expects both guidance and time to work alone with the medium.
• Advanced
• Participant is very confident with all aspects of the medium. Participant is self-motivated; ready to experiment and develop their artistic voice.

Is there a building map so I can find my room ahead of time?

You can click on the images below to expand them.

What is the process for cancelling my registration?

We ask that you notify us at least 10 days in advance of a class if you need to cancel your registration. You may cancel by phone or email and we will gladly offer you a refund or credit toward a future class. If you cancel with less than 10 days’ notice, we will not be able to provide refunds, due to our contractual obligations and material purchases for each class. 

Sometimes, the Sonoma Community Center has to cancel a class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or health emergency. If this happens and we do not offer a reschedule date, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee, or credit towards a future class. If we are able to offer a reschedule date but you are unable to make the new date, we will gladly offer credit towards a future class.

Do you pro-rate late additions to classes?

Late additions to any program, class, or workshop that has already begun will be allowed on a per-case basis depending upon the Program Director & instructors approval. Late additions will have to pay the full registration cost of the class, along with any materials fees, and will not be prorated for the time missed. You may reach out to the program directors directly, or the Program Associate Sean Baskin at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org to request a late addition.

I am interested in teaching, where can I find more information?

We are always looking for new instructors. You can find more information about the process here, or fill out the form directly here.

Where can I find your full class policies and guidelines?

You can view our full class policies and guidelines here.

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