Radiant Portraits in Colored Pencil (DVD + Streaming)

Discover the keys to a luminous composition as accomplished artist Kerry Brooks shows you how to draw a portrait with colored pencils.

You’ll choose a compelling source image and use a light color to create a freehand drawing on toned paper. Discover Kerry’s expert tips for achieving accurate proportion as you develop your sketch, and find out how to use tonal shifts to imply sculptural dimension and depth. Then, learn how to mix and layer colors to create a stunning spectrum of lifelike skin tones. Explore an array of techniques for sketching expressive, realistic eyes, and use glazing to add luminous catchlights. And, conquer the challenges of sketching hair as you learn to depict touchable texture and vibrant shine. Refine your work with professional finishing touches, and complete class with a range of transferable skills and an impeccably executed portrait.

NOTE: If you’d like to purchase only the DVD for this class, you may do so through this link. (Please note, any class PDF materials are not on the DVD itself. You must have streaming access to download those materials associated with the class.)

Subject Matters (25:43)
Meet your instructor, artist Kerry Brooks, and begin your journey to create polished, lifelike portraits with realistic skin tones and hair textures. First, Kerry advises you on her favorite materials — from paper and pencils to erasers and other accessories — and her preferred drawing setup. Then, explore what makes a good source photo as Kerry shares what she looks for when choosing a subject and what elements to avoid.

Establishing a Framework (24:45)
Start to build out the framework of your portrait and draw along with Kerry as you begin to pencil in the initial form of your subject. Discover how to achieve accuracy and likeness even in this rough stage as you work your way through your portrait, gradually adding detail and highlights. Gather tips for how to keep facial features in proper proportion, move throughout your portrait and analyze your own work.

Creating Value & Form (29:35)
Continue to develop your form as you begin to establish the values in your portrait. Begin with a light touch as you start your first tonal layer and then continue to bring in highlights and establish midtones with Kerry’s guidance. Learn how to add deeper tones to bring your portrait to life as you continue to add dimension and refine your work one layer at a time.

Creating Realistic Skin Tone (34:51)
Learn how to layer color to build up values as Kerry leads a detailed demonstration on skin tone. Discover how to warm up or cool down your subject as you layer a variety of colors. Explore color mixing as you combine a variety of hues to vividly depict your subject’s unique skin tone.

Drawing Lively Eyes (32:12)
Turn your focus to your subject’s eyes and give your portrait life as you learn techniques for drawing accurate eyes that are full of sparkle and emotion. Layer on colors as you push and pull values to replicate what you see, building out eyelids, shaping eyes and creating realistic irises and pupils. Learn Kerry’s trick for making sure your subject’s eyes are looking in the same direction, and how to add eyelashes and “catchlights” that give your portrait a photo-realistic quality.

Creating Realistic Hair Textures (25:14)
Create lifelike hair as Kerry shares her tips for avoiding the common pitfalls that thwart many artists. Learn how to add lowlights and gather Kerry’s tips for ensuring that your highlights stay vibrant and warm. Discover how to approach hair as a unit and how to weave in texture and color as you layer reds, grays, browns and golds to achieve maximum realism.

Finishing Touches (16:39)
Put the final touches on your portrait as you use a colorless blender to smooth transitions and soften edges, adding refinement and realism. Take a final pass over your portrait as you heighten the contrast, amplifying highlights and enhancing shadows. Then, Kerry will share her advice for knowing when your portrait is done.

Kerry Brooks

Kerry Brooks studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts, the Ukrainian Academy of Art and the New York Academy of Art, and her work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions across America. Her art has been featured in numerous publications, including the covers of American Artist Drawing and Art Galleries and Artists of the South. Kerry also works in oil, graphite and charcoal.

How will I receive my DVD class?
Your DVD will be shipped in the mail using the address you provide at checkout. Your purchase also includes access to a streaming version of the class and downloadable PDF class materials. After your purchase, you can find your streaming class and your PDF class materials by logging into your Craftsy account using the user name and password you established.

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Come to Craftsy.com and log into your account using the username and password you set up when establishing your Craftsy account or purchasing your DVD. In your “My Account” area, select the “Classes” content. On this page, you’ll see all classes you’ve purchased from Craftsy. Simply select the desired class from your content list, and you’ll be presented with your selected class page. From the class page you can easily view, download or print the companion class materials, which are in the “Bonus Materials” tab on the class page. You can log in any time, and download or print the companion materials as many times as you like. Companion class materials are not shipped in the mail with your DVD, and must be accessed on Craftsy.com.

How do I stream my class on Craftsy.com?
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Do I have to purchase a Craftsy Membership to get my class?
No, you do not. Every DVD purchased on Craftsy.com includes both the physical DVD in the mail and unlimited on-demand streaming access at Craftsy.com. These benefits are yours with or without a Craftsy membership.

Are DVDs included in a Craftsy Membership?
No, they are not. DVDs can only be purchased on an individual basis and are not included in Craftsy memberships. For non-members, DVDs are a flexible way to purchase only the classes you love best. For members, DVDs are a great choice to build an at-home library you can keep forever and enjoy any time, with or without Internet access.

Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we do ship most physical products, including DVDs, to several International destinations. In addition to the USA and Canada, we ship to Australia, Brazil, India, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, and most Western European countries. If you live outside these countries, you can still purchase digital items including memberships, individual streaming classes, and pattern downloads.

Do your DVDs work on international players?
Yes, our DVDs should be compatible with any DVD player in use today. All our videos have been created with all current Region Codes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8). If you have trouble viewing a DVD purchased from Craftsy.com, please contact Customer Service.

What is your return policy?
We want to be sure you’re satisfied. If you have trouble playing your DVD, if the content is not correctly presented on the DVD, or you are dissatisfied with the content of your class, we will work with you. Contact Craftsy customer service via email or phone. Upon your request, and upon your return of the DVD to us, we will refund your purchase price or send you another DVD to replace a damaged or incorrect DVD, whichever is your preference. If you do receive a full refund, your streaming video class will also be removed from your Craftsy account, so on-demand video access will no longer be available to you.