Introduction to Portrait Drawing at the Gelsenkirchen Art School

With pencil, charcoal, and red chalk to the face as image

The Gelsenkirchen Art School opens a space for concentrated observation and practical drawing on September 17, 2026: In the introduction to portrait drawing, proportion, light, shadow, and expression are the focus. The course is aimed at adults with and without prior knowledge and teaches the basics of sensitive, observational drawing in direct interaction with the human face. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/veranstaltungskalender/97063-einfuehrung-ins-portraitzeichnen))

The face as artistic terrain

Portrait drawing belongs to the classic disciplines of painting and drawing, as observation and design are inseparably linked here. Participants work with pencil, charcoal, and red chalk, training their eye for axes, volume, and characteristic contours. The reduction to a few materials creates a clear exhibition atmosphere in the classroom: Every line counts, every density in value gains weight. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/veranstaltungskalender/97063-einfuehrung-ins-portraitzeichnen))

Light, shadow, and expression in focus

Particularly appealing is the engagement with light-dark contrasts. In drawing practice, the portrait emerges not only from likeness but from presence: from shadow edges, soft transitions, and the fine interplay between surface and contour. The course connects to fundamental questions of art history, in which the portrait always remains a picture of identity, perception, and relationship. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/veranstaltungskalender/97063-einfuehrung-ins-portraitzeichnen))

Cultural education with immediate benefit

The Gelsenkirchen Art School sees itself as a place of diverse artistic learning and as a space where aesthetic experiences are created for children, adolescents, and adults. This attitude also shapes the course: Learning occurs through doing, experimenting, correction, and personal feedback. Thus, a drawing exercise becomes an artistic experience with museum-like depth, pedagogical precision, and visible progress. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/Kultur/Kulturelle_Bildung/Kunstschule_Gelsenkirchen/index.aspx))

Organization and participation

The course starts on September 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Gelsenkirchen Art School, Neustraße 7, 45891 Gelsenkirchen. It can only be booked in full for all three dates; the follow-up dates are October 15, 2026, and November 19, 2026. The participation fee is 90.00 euros for all three dates. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/veranstaltungskalender/97063-einfuehrung-ins-portraitzeichnen))

Conclusion

Anyone who wants to not only try portrait drawing but understand it thoroughly will find a precisely structured introduction with artistic ambition here. The combination of observation, material experience, and individual guidance makes the course a rewarding cultural experience. A visit to the Gelsenkirchen Art School is recommended for all who want to explore the language of the face through drawing. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/veranstaltungskalender/97063-einfuehrung-ins-portraitzeichnen))

Official channels of the Gelsenkirchen Art School:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kunstschule_gelsenkirchen_ev/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kunstschule-Gelsenkirchen-243366975756494
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGumVnkeOum4JJYkKkNPAsg
• Website: https://www.kunstschule-gelsenkirchen.de/

Sources:

• City of Gelsenkirchen - Introduction to Portrait Drawing
• City of Gelsenkirchen - Gelsenkirchen Art School e.V.
• Gelsenkirchen Art School - Official Website