The Art of Portraiture

This is no ordinary book about drawing portraits, this is a book that may change your life and identity – transforming you into a dedicated artist who draws with passion and skill. Whether you’re a beginner or already an accomplished artist, The Art of Portraiture takes you on a journey of discovery about what it takes to capture the essence of a person with just graphite and patience.

Author and expert teacher Stephen Bauman offers a synthesis of the best lessons he has learned in his career as a student, as well as the most efficient exercises he’s developed as an artist and teacher. If you’re up for a bit of adventure, a touch of self-discovery, and a whole lot of drawing, then you’re in the right place. This book is Stephen’s earnest attempt to share what he’s learned (often the hard way) about drawing portraits. Spoiler alert: There were plenty of awkward attempts, eraser battles, and moments where his ‘likenesses’ were more cartoon than human. But isn’t that the point of learning – to embrace the stumbles and celebrate the breakthroughs? 

There are chapters answering questions such as ‘What makes a drawing work?’ followed by practical tutorials on specific techniques, including Value Mapping and Form Visualization, all accompanied by incredible illustrative examples and steps. Ultimately readers can reflect on the transformation they have achieved throughout the book and focus on their continuous growth and improvement. This is a wonderfully deep dive into the messy, marvellous, and occasionally magical world of portrait drawing.