In this course, we will learn how to adapt the ideal facial scheme studied in the Frontal Face Course to slightly asymmetrical faces — the most common type in iconography.
Medieval iconographers created thousands of icons, frescoes, mosaics, and miniatures, often rendering faces with subtle asymmetry to create a deeper sense of communication with the viewer. In this course, we begin drawing asymmetrical faces in the same way we approached symmetrical ones: first by mastering the general scheme, and then by learning how to apply it to various models.
We will draw frontal adult faces and heads of different types — beardless and bearded, veiled and long-haired. Our models, as always, are based on medieval prototypes: the head of Christ, the Mother of God, an angel, and a saint — representing the main types of faces used in iconography.
This course is designed as the next step for students who have already completed the Frontal Face Course. Participation in the first course is essential, as this continuation builds upon the knowledge of facial proportions, drawing principles, techniques, and approaches previously studied.
For those, who have already studied at our Course I: Drawing a Frontal Face.
$280 USD or €240 EUR for 5 weekly lessons and assignments with personalised mentoring and comprehensive feedback.
11 weeks / 5 assignments
Current session Oct 1 - Dec 10, 2026
Next session: Apr 1 - Jun 8, 2027
Assignments are published every second week. An extra week is given to finish all the assignments.
Links to practical Full HD video tutorials, reference images, and a pre-recorded lecture per each of the 5 assignments. All materials are shared with students through Google Classroom. All the videos remain available to the students after the end of the Course
Learners are expected to share photographs of their drawings in Google Classroom Stream. Personal feedback from the instructors with their corrections / comments / recommendations is given within 48 hour (weekends excluded). Feedback is guaranteed for the whole period of the course either written in words or/and drawn directly on the uploaded image.
Learners only need the most basic materials, such as paper, pencils, eraser, ruler, and a compass with two needles.
We made this program as extensive as possible. Complex tasks are split into manageable parts, making the assignments squeezable between routine work and family duties. We hope it will allow everybody to study at their own pace. Please put about 40 - 60 minutes for watching the video tutorials & at least 3 hours for drawing practice per assignment.
This course is offered twice a year.
Current session: October 1 - December 10, 2026
Next session: April 1 - June 8, 2027
This course consists of 5 assignments, they are approximately twice more complex than the Frontal Face course, so we are giving more time. Assignments are published on Thursdays, every second week. For each assignment we propose drawing up to 3 faces of different types. If you are short in time we recommend drawing only the first face properly, - avoid hurrying up. If you have more time, we suggest drawing two or three faces for better practice and understanding. After the last assignment is published, you will have two more weeks to submit your homework for checking. Drawings are accepted for comments and corrections no later than on June 8, 2027.
All the zoom lectures were pre-recorded and are published together with the weekly assignments. The themes of the lectures are related to the assignments.
Access to the Google Classroom and all course videos is for online course participants only and must not be shared with anyone else in any form.
Upon completion of this course you will be able to:
