For over 5000 years, portraits have captured stories of power and wealth, fashion and beauty, friendship and rivalry. In this weekend course, we start with the stories of two of the most famous women in British history: Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots.

Drawing on the British Library exhibition Elizabeth and Mary: Royal Cousins, Rival Queens, Figuration’s Leo Crane will support you in learning the fundamentals of storytelling through portraiture and how to interpret this historic relationship in two contemporary images.

Working with professional artist’s models, you will develop your understanding of composition, proportion and pose through a series of structured exercises. You will have the opportunity to choose from a range of art materials to create your work, with individual support from the tutor.

By the end of the weekend, you will have learned to depict the human subject confidently and creatively. You will have created two portraits to take home, inspired by one of the most compelling and defining relationships in British history.