Lines of Life
a charcoal portrait class
In this 2 hour online class we’re going to create a profile portrait in charcoal from start to finish. Through expressive linework and subtle texture, and taking inspiration from the old masters, we’ll explore how to bring depth and interest to a profile portrait.
Using a layered approach with various types of charcoal and erasers, you’ll learn how to let the portrait slowly emerge from the surface. We will shape the light and dark values, refine the forms and build the profile step by step.
This class is suitable for both beginners and more experienced artists who enjoy working in a loose, intuitive and exploratory way. It is a great project if you want to deepen your charcoal practice, work on profile drawing and discover how expressive and versatile this beautiful medium of charcoal can be.
Originally recorded for Let’s Face It 2025, I am excited to share this class with you now!
You can download all videos and course materials, to keep forever. And since this is a self-study class, you get instant access so you can start whenever you like.
Click the button below to sign up now, or continue reading for all details and practical info.
I sometimes think there is nothing so delightful as drawing. VINCENT VAN GOGH
In this class you’ll follow the complete drawing process from start to finish. Profile faces can be challenging, but I will show you a simple method to help create the profile shape, place the features and check the proportions.
From there we’ll build the portrait step by step, carving out the light and deepening the shadows with various supplies. You will see how I develop the structure of the face, refine the profile and add character through subtle value shifts and expressive line work.
We’ll also look at an example from a profile drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, especially his line quality that adds interest and movement to the profile, and take that as inspiration for our own portrait.
The full process is shown in the video lessons, so you can watch, practice and work through the portrait at your own pace.
A drawing is simply a line going for a walk. PAUL KLEE
What will you learn?
In this class you will learn useful techniques for building a charcoal profile portrait, including how to draw a profile face, place the features, shape the values and create expressive line work. These approaches can support and enrich your own charcoal practice going forward.
Some of the things that we’ll cover:
- Preparing the paper and creating a mid-tone charcoal surface as a base for the drawing
- Using a simple method to help place the profile and main features
- Building up the drawing with flexible, sketchy lines that stay open and adjustable
- Developing the structure of the face by working with tonal values
- How and when to use the different charcoal supplies
- Working with varied line quality to keep the profile line lively and expressive
- Drawing an aging face in a nuanced, integrated way
- Creating interest in the background texture
- How to take inspiration from other artists and integrate it into your own work in a personal way
What will you receive
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve never taken an online course. How does it work?
If this is the first time you sign up for any of my courses, you will create an account during the registration process. You can access the private website of the course with the email address that you signed up with and the password that you chose for your account.
The lessons are taught in video format. You can watch me work and hear me explain what I do and why I do it. This means that you can follow exactly what I do, and if you want you can go back and watch certain parts again if you missed anything or something was unclear.
Since this is a self-study course, you get immediate access to all the videos and course materials. These will all be provided on the course website. You can watch the lessons online, and/or download all videos and coure materials so you can keep them forever and access them whenever and wherever you like.
Besides the course website you will also get access to a private Facebook group for this course. Some courses have dedicated groups, other courses get access to my general Facebook group. The Facebook groups are a fun and safe place to post your work, ask questions, and meet new friends.
Lifetime access, what does that mean in practice?
You get lifetime access to the course. In practice this means that the course website (including all videos and course materials) will remain accessible to you for as long as this course is being offered for sale. If this course at some point in the future isn’t going to be offered for sale anymore, you will have 6 months to download all videos and course materials if you want to keep them forever.
Can I download the videos and other course materials?
Yes, you can download all the videos and other materials of this course.
Is there a dedicated Facebook group for this course?
There is no dedicated Facebook group for this course, but you are welcome to join my Facebook group Juna Biagioni's Art Atelier. It's a great place to ask questions, share your work, and meet new art friends.
Can I get feedback from you on my work?
Self-study classes don't include feedback on individual work. However, I am frequently available in the Facebook group if you have questions about supplies or other course related topics.
I am not very experienced in art. Can I sign up?
Yes, certainly! It's no problem if you have no previous experience with the supplies and techniques that we'll use in this course. All techniques will be explained and shown in the videos.
However, this is a short class. If you would like to get a more in-depth approach to portrait drawing, learning about fundamental concepts like tonal values, and working with a variety of supplies and techniques, then I recommend taking the course Drawing in the Soul.
I feel a bit insecure about my art and not ready to show it to others. Can I participate without joining the Facebook group?
Yes, you can definitely participate without joining the Facebook group.
However, you can also join the Facebook without having to post your work if you don’t want to. The group is private and provides a safe environment for all participants of every level. It’s also a place where you can get support, ask questions, and meet new friends.
I don't have a Facebook account. Do I need one for this course?
No, you don’t need a Facebook account in order to take this course. The course website is a dedicated website that you get access to after you sign up for the course. The Facebook group is optional.
However, if you do want to join the Facebook group but don’t have a Facebook account (yet), you can also consider creating a Facebook account just for this course alone.
I have never worked with charcoal before. Can I sign up?
Yes! It's no problem if you have no previous experience with charcoal. All techniques will be explained and shown in the videos.
However, this is a short class. If you would like to get a more in-depth, foundational approach to working with charcoal and learn a host of different techniques, then I recommend taking the course The Many Faces of Charcoal.
Do you work with a reference photo in this course?
Yes, we will be working with a reference photo in this course. It will be available for download from the course website.
Can I get a refund after purchasing this course?
Due to the downloadable nature of this course, no refunds are given after purchasing this course.
Can I give this course as a gift?
Certainly! Just contact me here so we can set it up.
How can I contact you?
You can contact me via this link.
Practical Info
Click here to read the practical information before purchasing this course
Access to the course
Since this is a preorder, you will receive access to the classroom on January 1, 2026. On that day you will find the class in your account and you can start watching the lessons immediately. All videos and materials can be downloaded and kept forever.
After January 1, 2026:
Once you have purchased your course, you return to a confirmation page with an overview of your registered courses. When you click on a course you should already be logged in to the course site and have immediate access to the classroom.
If at any time you need to log in to the site, you will need your username (the email address that you used to sign up for the course) and the password you chose when you signed up. With your username and password you can always access your courses by clicking on ‘Login’ at the top of this website.
Practical requirements
This course will be presented online, so you need a web browser. I recommend Chrome or Firefox. Make sure your browser is updated to the latest version.
You will get the best results if you use a laptop or computer. You can use smaller devices (like a tablet) as well, but then the layout may change slightly.
If you want to download the videos, you need space on the hard drive of your computer, or an external storage like an external hard drive or a USB stick.
Other requirements:
- A high-speed internet connection to be able to download the videos or watch them online.
- A basic understanding of IT, like reading emails, watching videos online, reading PDF documents, and navigating websites like Facebook. If you’re having trouble with some IT related stuff some help can be given, but in-depth IT guidance cannot be given.