ashmolean-museum-1536.jpeg
650847387_18119756065614969_1844094416030451448_n.jpg
641344796_18117711151614969_4004520530981182868_n.jpg
687266101_18359845831225463_8744064019758377896_n.jpg
545328262_18325924417225463_3655985903886323399_n.jpg
622698708_18084151106267245_9004888058599024880_n.jpg
624672032_18054962903403653_9129938617169923911_n.jpg
DeathMask_Aug2025.jpg
623250910_18089835758046443_4597964693527348523_n.jpg
SantiPortrait_Jan2026.jpg
SantiStructure_Jan2026 copy.jpg
BACAA_Logo_Color_2022.jpg

BACAA/Scott Garder Intensive Portrait Drawing - Oxford, UK

Intensive Portrait Drawing in the Historic Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, UK

Dates: June 4-9, 2027
Hours: Museum Day - 11:30 am-6:00 pm
Hours: Studio Days - 11:00 am-5:00 pm
Lunch: 1:30 pm-2:30 pm

Course Description:

Held in the historic Ashmolean Museum studio in Oxford, this six-day workshop offers artists a unique opportunity to both study portrait drawing from life, while also referencing the visual language innovated by the Italian master draftsmen of the Renaissance.

This immersive 6-day experience begins with a private guided tour at the National Gallery in London, where participants will study important master drawings up-close, and Scott will lead group discussions that center around real world, directly applicable drawing principles that carry over into the studio for the rest of the workshop. Finally we’ll end our museum day with a discussion around historical materials where we’ll talk about using natural toned colored pencils, (a very close modern alternative to the red and black chalks of the old masters) which will prime artists for the following five days of intensive drawing.

Scott will lead the class with a professional drawing demo each morning, followed by bespoke one-on-one feedback for each student. Together, students and instructor will bring their portrait drawings to an accurate finish while tapping the deep well of resources passed down by the Italian masters.

Once the studio portion of the workshop begins, days one and two the artists will start with a linear block-in that focuses on both the visual impression as well as the underlying structure of the skull. These first two days are imperative for the achievement of naturalism later on. For the remainder of the workshop artists will take their drawing to a finish with three-dimensional modeling of form and careful analysis of the direction of the light source. Illuminated areas will be built up in white chalk, while areas of midtone will be established with a combination of brown, black and touches of red. Artists will employ delicate strokes of white gouache exclusively for specular highlights. These differing media combine to effectively communicate a beautiful light effect and convincing form. With the aid of one-on-one critiques and instructor demonstrations, participants will learn how to create a naturalistic, volumetric portrait informed by the old masters in 5 sessions.

Through intense life drawing, individual feedback, group discussions, and professional demonstrations, artists will leave Oxford with the resources and experience to create beautiful naturalistic portrait drawings that heavily emphasize three dimensional form, a feeling of illumination and sfumato, and structural solidity.

Instructor Bio:

Scott Garder is a resident artist and instructor at Grand Central Atelier in Brooklyn, New York. He has spent years in study to develop his visual vocabulary and create works of art that evoke a sense of childlike wonder and reverence for the human experience.

Draftsmanship, craft, and a taste informed by art history are central to his approach to art making, and his work conveys both conceptual truth and the beauty of the visual experience. Scott’s work hangs in collections ranging from North America, South America, Europe & Australia.

Dates: June 4-9, 2027 (6 days)

  • One day at the National Gallery, London

  • Five days of drawing from a live model

  • Western Print Room Visit (Date TBA)

  • End of class Group Dinner

  • Optional Pub night unhosted at your leisure

Included:

  • One day of Museum lectures, study, critique & demos

  • Train and Taxi from Oxford to/from London for Museum day

  • Group Lunch at the National Gallery

  • Five days of Drawing in the Studio with a live model

  • Visit the Ashmolean Print Room, lecture, drawing, and critique

  • End of class group dinner

  • Easels, tabourets, and chairs

  • Studio space in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

Museum Lectures:
Friday, June 4 - National Gallery, London

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Portrait Drawing in the Studio from a live Model:
Saturday, June 5 - Wednesday, June 9
Hours 11:00 am - 5:00 pm 

Lunch 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Accessibility:
Local cafes and restaurants within Oxford

Oxford Bus and rail transit

COST: $1,850.00
(Conversion Rates may vary by day)