Friendly Faces is a relaxed, welcoming portrait-drawing social for all levels, from total beginners to seasoned sketchers.
This session takes a slower, more conversational approach to portraiture. Rather than treating the sitter as a still object, we explore what it means to draw a real person. After all, a portrait sitter is not a bowl of fruit.
Sitters are welcome to speak, move, fidget, and be themselves throughout the session. If you're nervous about posing, there's no expectation of remaining perfectly still. The focus is on observation, connection, and the unique exchange between artist and sitter.
We draw, chat, meet new people, and enjoy a gentle creative atmosphere. As the session unfolds, artist and sitter gradually settle into one another's presence, allowing personality, conversation, and shared experience to become part of the portrait itself.
If you'd prefer not to pose, that's completely fine. You can opt out at any time.
Which Friendly Faces session is right for me?
Session 1 focuses on relaxed, still portrait posing, giving artists time to observe features, light and expression at a slower pace. This format is ideal for those who enjoy a more traditional portrait-drawing experience.
Session 2 explores the relationship between artist and sitter. Conversation, movement and natural interaction are welcomed, recognising that a portrait sitter is a person rather than a still-life subject. The emphasis is on connection, observation and the shared experience of portrait making.
Please check the session description carefully when booking to ensure you're choosing the format that's right for you.
Please note: Friendly Faces runs as a pop-up portrait group, appearing in different venues around Thanet and beyond. Each session has its own location and date, so please check the address carefully when booking.
Follow @friendly_faces_portraits on Instagram for updates on future sessions.