Drawing Portraits in Charcoal

Theo Stickley is running a charcoal portrait workshop at the Nottingham Society Of Artists on Thursday 29 October, from 2 pm to 3 pm. It's a one-hour session, so it's a compact way to spend a Thursday afternoon if you've got a gap in your day.

The whole thing is a hands-on workshop where Stickley teaches a simple method for building a portrait in charcoal. The idea is that you'll walk away with a finished piece you're actually proud of, rather than just a half-finished sketch. All the materials are provided, so you don't need to bring your own charcoal or paper — you just turn up and get stuck in. It's aimed at ages 14 and up, and anyone under 13 needs to be accompanied by an adult, which makes it a decent one to bring a teenager along to if you're both free.

There's a bit more to it than just the drawing, too. The session is part of Imara's Charity Art Auction, which raises money for services supporting Nottingham children and young people affected by sexual and domestic abuse. So whatever you put down on the day goes toward that work. The venue is the Nottingham Society Of Artists at 71 Friar Lane, NG1 6DH, right in the city centre.

It's a pay-what-you-can session, with a recommended donation of £5-10. That means you can give what you're comfortable with, and it all goes to the charity. It runs from 2 pm to 3 pm on Thursday 29 October, so you're in and out in an hour.