--- title: "Portrait & Sketching Courses in Mumbai | Learn Art with Shefali" description: "Join my portrait & sketching courses in Vile Parle, Mumbai. From charcoal basics to 3-month mastery programs, learn portrait drawing in a warm, supportive studio. Discover your creative voice." canonical: https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/art-classes-and-courses/portrait-sketching-courses last_updated: 2026-02-16 --- # Portrait & Sketching Courses Tribe Verified · Teaching art in Mumbai since 1988 By [Shefali Raj](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses) · Available online and at studio in Vile Parle West · ₹600 per session (estimate) Part of [Art Classes and Courses](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/art-classes-and-courses). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/art-classes-and-courses/gallery) 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. ## Photos and videos - ![A young student deeply focused on her portrait painting, using a reference photo to learn about texture and color application with a palette knife.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d230300a-e735-4425-931c-f3721e0498dd) - [Video: 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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b27b4dd1-2746-48b2-8ea0-224ef6728f35) - [Video: 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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/126f0239-7fbc-48d4-b3e2-cdda4f7ac33a) - [Video: A captivating piece combining the classic elegance of black and white charcoal sketching with a pop of fiery red on the butterflies and lips.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/007558bf-9a49-49f0-95f8-a455a9daa4ba) - [Video: 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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1b1b2e8b-4235-47a7-9f1e-516dc8801f03) - ![A dose of art is my meditation. Here I am, enjoying a quiet moment sketching a portrait, which is my favorite subject to create.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f949f029-c1c1-47de-a0b4-7ec554c80704) - ![Practicing regularly is key. I love losing track of time while working on a portrait sketch in my garden.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/980d34d8-30fb-46e0-8c92-6caed7489428) - [Video: 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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a00e30b0-dae7-492e-a635-709c9aeb9151) - [Video: The key to improvement is practice. On Sundays, I enjoy filling my time with watercolor portrait painting, which brings vibrant colors to my day.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c8adb1af-ab62-440f-981d-2dc3d138068c) - [Video: 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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/59097210-2cbb-4c7d-ae97-3c036132de00) - [Video: Learning to capture the unique lines and emotions of a face is a very interesting process. This video shows the steps involved in creating a charcoal portrait.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/202101b0-9a07-46e2-8fa1-b67f09897ca7) - [Video: To create good charcoal art, you need the right tools. This video demonstrates the use of willow charcoal, pencils, paper stumps, and erasers for portrait sketching.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/03bdb2bb-58fa-4f56-9e18-3389332d3854) - [Video: Prisha is a very talented artist with a great eye for detail. I am lucky to have been her teacher for the past few years, watching her create stunning charcoal portraits like this one.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9bdc0684-af7e-4b16-9f5c-c35633a0228b) - [Video: Watercolor is a very therapeutic medium, and portraiture is my favorite subject. This video shows the wet-into-wet technique for creating a soft, expressive watercolor portrait.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8e3decf8-ab74-4bdf-bbd4-4552a863d0f1) ## 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. ## About 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. [See all of Shefali Raj's services](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses) ## More from Art Classes and Courses by Shefali Raj - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/art-classes-and-courses/featured) - [The Joy of Children's Art](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/art-classes-and-courses/the-joy-of-children-s-art) - [Art for Adults & Seniors](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/art-classes-and-courses/art-for-adults-seniors) - [Seasonal & Festive Workshops](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/art-classes-and-courses/seasonal-festive-workshops) - [Exploring Diverse Mediums](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/art-classes-and-courses/exploring-diverse-mediums) - [Traditional Indian Crafts](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/art-classes-and-courses/traditional-indian-crafts) - [Art for Healing & Community Outreach](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/art-classes-and-courses/art-for-healing-community-outreach) - [Student Journeys & Success Stories](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/art-classes-and-courses/student-journeys-success-stories) - [Private Art Parties & Corporate Events](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/art-classes-and-courses/private-art-parties-corporate-events) - [My Teaching Philosophy](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/art-classes-and-courses/my-teaching-philosophy) ## More services by Shefali Raj - [Therapeutic Art Sessions](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/therapeutic-art-sessions) - [Art Exam & Portfolio Preparation](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/art-exam-portfolio-preparation) - [Corporate Art Workshops](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/corporate-art-workshops) - [Art Parties & Group Events](https://mytribe.in/shefalisartclasses/art-parties-group-events) ## Similar work from other experts - [Advanced Portrait & Charcoal Sketching Classes](https://mytribe.in/hemashuesacademy/drawing-exam-preparation-course/advanced-portrait-charcoal-sketching) by Hema's Hues Academy · Drawing Exam Preparation Course · In-person classes at studios in Prabhadevi, Powai, and Thane - [Portrait Sketching and Pencil Shading Classes](https://mytribe.in/renukasartzone/drawing-sketching-courses/the-art-of-the-portrait) by Renuka's Art Zone · Drawing & Sketching Courses · Available online; Studio in Vashi & travels across Mumbai - [Pencil and Charcoal Portrait Workshops](https://mytribe.in/jeevasri12/portrait-art-workshops/pencil-charcoal-portraits) by Jeeva Kumari · Portrait Art Workshops · Available Online; Studio in Indiranagar, Bengaluru - [Charcoal and Pencil Portrait Classes in Bangalore](https://mytribe.in/shikhaartgallery/art-classes-workshops/charcoal-pencil-portraits) by Shikha Goel · Art Classes & Workshops · Online, Studio in Electronic City & Events across Bengaluru - [Step-by-Step Portrait Course](https://mytribe.in/art.komalthoria/drawing-classes-for-beginners/step-by-step-portrait-course) by Komal Thoria · Drawing Classes for Beginners · Available online and at studio in Kandivali East, Mumbai - [Portrait Painting & Figure Studies](https://mytribe.in/mittalanj/art-workshops/portraits-figure-studies) by Anjali Mittal · Art Workshops · Online worldwide; In-person workshops across NCR ## Book To book Shefali Raj, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Shefali%2C%20I'm%20interested%20in%20the%20Portrait%20%26%20Sketching%20Courses.%20Could%20you%20tell%20me%20about%20the%20upcoming%20batches%3F)