Saturday 18th July 2026
Location: Butler Gallery, Evans’ Home, John’s Quay
Join artist Marie Le Men at Butler Gallery for an adult masterclass in portrait drawing using coloured pencils. Designed for adults and suitable for beginners, this workshop offers a practical, engaging introduction to portraiture in a supportive environment. Through observation, colour, texture, and expressive mark-making, participants will explore portrait-making while developing their own artistic approach. Marie will begin with a live demonstration and, through demos and samples, will introduce key principles of observational drawing. Participants will learn practical techniques for measuring facial features, understanding proportion, and translating what they see onto the page. These foundational skills will provide a solid technical framework while encouraging confidence and creativity in drawing from observation. Throughout the session, Marie will share tips on working with coloured pencils, as well as guidance on colour, pattern, composition, and surface texture. Individual feedback and one-to-one support will be offered throughout the workshop, allowing participants to develop their skills at their own pace. About The Artist: Marie Le Men is a self-taught artist with a keen interest in portraiture from life and in-situ sketching of her surroundings. She grew up in France and has lived in Dublin since 2007, where she now works as a freelance visual artist alongside a career in linguistics. She currently works with watercolours, ink and gouache. Marie was included in the Zurich Portrait Prize 2023 held at the National Gallery of Ireland.
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