Collected Stories

Portraits, Paper, and Collage

Immediate Access

Price: $68

(This class has been pre-recorded. You will have lifetime access, and all videos are downloadable)


Course Details

When I set out to create a course on drawing the portrait, I had no idea it would turn out as it did. Collected Stories is more than a "how-to" on drawing a face; it is about connecting with your subject and allowing inspiration to guide your hand and heart. This class is about finally permitting yourself to embrace the way you see the world, your ideas, stories, and most importantly, the way you draw.

In Collected Stories, I demonstrate how I draw the portrait with a nod to classical proportions, relationships of the head's features, value, and different views. I will share exactly how I practice and embrace the early raw sketches and work toward more inspired pieces that tell a story.

There is magic in practice and repetition; not only does your technique improve, but you begin to see the beauty of how you create. I will encourage you to look beyond a perfect drawing and take your stories and experiences to create art that is rich and filled with emotion.

I invite you to gather your stories and art supplies, and let's draw, sketch, paint, collage, stitch, and practice together!

 

ABOUT THIS COURSE

  • Immediate Access

  • 4.5+ Hours of Content

  • $68.00

  • Downloadable Videos

  • Lifetime Access

  • Instructor: Renee Mueller

INSTAGRAM: @reneedesigns

#reneemuellercreativecommunity

 
 
 
 
 

Techniques Taught In This Course

  • Techniques:

    • Understanding Classical Proportions of the face.

    • 3 views of the face.

    • Drawing, Sketching, Stitching, and Collage

    • How to build layers of charcoal to create depth and form.

    • Paint an abstract background using a limited color palette.

    • Practice Value.

    • Practice Line.

    • Create a Color Chart.

    • How to bring your stories and emotions to your final art pieces.

    • Self-Guided Sketchbook Studies with prompts to inspire your daily practice.

    • How to use a reference photo as your guide.

The Lessons

 

The course begins with three videos discussing art supplies, paper, and sketchbooks. I encourage you to use the supplies and paper you have on hand and work in the colors you love.

In addition to the lessons listed below, I will provide ideas and prompts for self-guided sketchbook studies. Daily work in your sketchbook will strengthen your drawing skills, open you to the flow of inspiration, and reveal your style as an artist.

You can find a list of suggested art supplies at the bottom of this page.

 

Lesson 1 | Line, Value, and Color

The LINE is how we begin a drawing, and it's how we respond emotionally to our subject. The line will guide the eye around the artwork and direct the view where to look. Each of us has a distinct way of creating lines, bringing beauty and originality to our work. In this fun lesson, we will warm up by creating pages, and pages of lines using different tools and art supplies. Think of the great collage paper you will have in the end!

VALUE refers to the light and darkness of a color. It is essential to your artwork as it describes the form of your subject. We will create a beautiful value chart in our art journals. Further study of the face's light side and shadow side will give us important information as we draw the portrait.

In the third section of this lesson, we will create a fun COLOR chart using vintage photos, stitching, and a limited color palette. By selecting your color palette in advance, it allows you the freedom to create.

 
 

Lesson 2 | Reference Images

In this class, you will receive five beautiful high-resolution photos for your personal use. I will discuss light, value, proportions, and different views of the head. I will demonstrate how to approach three different views during our sketching lesson.

 
 

Lesson 3 | The Practice Sessions

In this lesson, I will share exactly how I practice. We begin with timed contour drawings on sketch paper. Next, we gather bits and pieces of vintage paper, sketch paper, and tracing paper to draw small, expressive portraits. Finishing up with three views of the head in 15 minute quick sketches on kraft paper. We work on observing and finding the essence of the portrait. I will guide you in mapping out the features, light, and shadow to better understand the subject.

This section is an essential component of your practice. It will help build muscle memory and open you to inspiration. It is where the magic happens!

 

Lesson 4 | Portrait And Collage On Wood Panel

Storytelling in art allows a deeper connection to the work and is the gateway to inspiration. Ideas that take hold and will guide your work, as you become immersed in the flow of creating.

In this lesson, I will share one of the stories I've collected and the meaning behind the decisions I make in the piece. Starting with a drawing on paper, we will cut, stitch, and collage it onto a beautiful abstract painting. Then, add more layers of paint, a touch of pastel, and take a few risks to push us out of our comfort zone.

 

Lesson 5 | Collected Stories Collages

We used the beautiful raw sketches from your practice sessions and combined them with storytelling, collage, and stitching in this lesson. The lesson will allow you to go deep into your work and unravel your style.

 

Lesson 6 | Charcoal Portrait Demonstration

In this final lesson, I take you through drawing a 3/4 portrait in charcoal on paper. We begin with your composition's overall placement, then move to the block in, place the features, measure, and create a beautiful form with value. I guide you through each step and explain the different effects you can achieve with different types of charcoal

 

What Students Are Saying

“I honor how you approached this class; one feels the joy and fun you are having with it. Not to mention your steadfast appearance every Thursday in Facebook Live to help us grow, and I like your modesty willingness to do the best for the student. I highly recommend this class to everyone I know and beyond that.”

-Renate Basinski

“I’ve been waiting for a class that would totally inspire me and Collected Stories has done that and more! Renee’s gentle approach, kindness, and dedication to her students are wonderful. This class provides an exciting exploration into portraits and different media for beginners and continued learning for more experienced artists.”

-Lyn (Livvie Art)

“Renee is such a natural and generous teacher. Collected Stories offers inspiration far beyond traditional portrait and art techniques. With Renee's guidance, you learn how to connect to your subject matter and tell a person's story in your own style. With her background in dance and choreography, there is no wonder she is a master at looking at the broad picture and telling a story through each portrait she creates.

Her beautiful layering techniques help to bring depth to your own pieces. I always learn something new from Renee's courses. Collected Stories is so beautifully put together and she creates this harmonious community of artists that you learn and engage with throughout and after the course is completed.”

-Kristy Kensinger

Supply List

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some or all of the links in this supply list are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission and we are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.