Portrait & Sketching Courses
Capture the unique emotions of a face on paper. Whether you are starting with charcoal or refining your portraiture skills, join me in my studio for a journey of self-discovery.
A young student deeply focused on her portrait painting, using a reference photo to learn about texture and color application with a palette knife.
My students are so talented. This video shows the process of creating detailed portraits, from a watercolor painting of a Rajasthani man to a pen-and-ink Kathakali dancer.
Portraiture is one of the most interesting subjects in art. This clip gives a glimpse into the world of learning to draw and paint faces in my studio.
A captivating piece combining the classic elegance of black and white charcoal sketching with a pop of fiery red on the butterflies and lips.
A time-lapse of me creating a watercolor portrait of a man in a turban, showing the process from the initial pencil sketch to the final colored artwork.
A dose of art is my meditation. Here I am, enjoying a quiet moment sketching a portrait, which is my favorite subject to create.
Practicing regularly is key. I love losing track of time while working on a portrait sketch in my garden.
A teacher's role is to find potential and guide it. Mahika, at 12 years old, is already doing amazing work with portraits, and we are working together to achieve perfection.
The key to improvement is practice. On Sundays, I enjoy filling my time with watercolor portrait painting, which brings vibrant colors to my day.
Mahikaa is a talented young girl who amazes me with her art, even on a mobile phone screen. Here she creates a one-minute digital portrait.
About Portrait & Sketching Courses
I don’t follow a rigid academic syllabus here. In my portraiture batches, we start by understanding the unique lines of a face rather than rushing into shading techniques. Whether you prefer the raw depth of charcoal or the fluidity of watercolors, I teach you to look at a subject and see the emotions behind the features, helping you develop a style that feels personal, not just technical.
Portraiture is a deeply meditative process. It is about patience and observation. In my 3-month mastery course, we move beyond basic sketches to focus on anatomy, feature detailing, and bringing a subject to life.
My Approach to Portraiture
- Foundations First: For beginners, we start with simple lines and proportions. You will learn to use willow charcoal, paper stumps, and erasers to create depth and contrast before we even touch a brush.
- Medium Exploration: I encourage students to find what speaks to them. You might gravitate toward the dramatic, high-contrast look of charcoal, or perhaps you prefer the wet-into-wet watercolor technique for a softer, more ethereal portrait.
- The Mastery Path: For serious learners, our quarterly program goes deep into specific tracks like Portraiture, Canvas Oils, or Advanced Charcoal. We study impasto techniques, palette knife work, and even reproduction of master works to build your technical confidence.
A Space to Breathe
My studio in the JVPD Scheme is a place where you can leave the noise of the world outside. We do not chase perfection here. Like my student Mahika, who started with simple mobile sketches and moved to charcoal portraits, you will find your own pace. Whether you are a student building an art portfolio for college or an adult picking up a pencil for the first time, my goal is to guide you in finding your own voice. You will walk away not just with a portrait, but with the quiet joy of having created it yourself.
Shefali Raj
Hi, I’m Shefali. I’ve been teaching art since 1988, and honestly, it feels like yesterday. I see my role as a guide—my students are truly my teachers. Come spend some time in my studio, and let’s explore the stories hidden in the lines of a portrait together.
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