Charcoal layering Portrait Girl Drawing Thumbnails by Kai Lun Qu

Charcoal Layering Portrait

Think you can make a portrait in under 5 minutes? For today's lesson, Kai starts off with some small thumbnails done FAST. Challenge yourself to think in terms of rhythm and flow as opposed to strictly likeness, giving you the chance to build more interesting and powerful compositions. Practice Kai's method of keeping everything loose at first, but fleshing out and tightening up the elements as the portrait grows and evolves. Lastly, add finishing touches and pop out the highlights with white chalk. ( 1.5+ hours)

Learn more about how to achieve likeness in Kai's Online Mentorship.
  • Kai Lun Qu

    Instructor
  • Fundamental

    Difficulty
Meet your instructor

Kai Lun Qu

Kai Lun Qu is know for his alla prima paintings filled with expression and painterly strokes that evoke deep emotions. His unique blend of traditional style with a contemporary twist is a result of two extremes: a formal training in China’s most prestigious art academy, China Central Academy of Fine Arts and intense studies with renown contemporary painters like Daniel Keys, Tim Rees and Michelle Dunaway in the United States. 
In 2018, He was featured in Southwest Art Magazine, 21 under 31: Young Artists to Watch. 

More courses by Kai

Try these next