Young Archie Portrait Intensive: Two-Day Art Workshop

One special person. One meaningful portrait. Two days to bring their story to life.

Who would your child choose to paint?

Inspired by Australia's celebrated Archibald Prize and Young Archie competition, this special two-day art intensive is designed for young artists who love drawing and painting and are ready to challenge themselves.

Across two focused days, students will explore portrait drawing, facial proportions, observation, colour, painting techniques and personal expression as they develop an original portrait of someone important in their lives.

With guidance from practising Sydney artist Mrs Grace, students will learn how to look beyond a photograph, observe the unique features of their chosen subject and make thoughtful artistic decisions that help tell a personal story.

They'll be encouraged to develop their own style, refine their techniques and take pride in the creative process.

Because a meaningful portrait is about more than capturing someone's face. It's about showing who they are and why they matter.

What They'll Do

Day 1: Portrait Drawing & Artistic Development

Discover Portraiture

• Explore the Young Archie competition and inspiring portrait artworks

• Discuss how artists communicate personality, relationships and emotion

• Choose someone meaningful to portray, such as a family member, friend or someone important in their life

• Explore what makes a portrait personal and expressive

Build Drawing Skills

• Learn facial proportions and the structure of the head

• Practise observing and drawing eyes, noses, mouths and other facial features

• Explore placement, angles, shape and proportion

• Learn how light and shadow help create three-dimensional form

• Develop observational drawing skills through guided studies

Plan Their Final Portrait

• Experiment with composition, viewpoint and background

• Consider colour, mood and personal details

• Develop preliminary sketches

• Choose materials and plan their final artwork

• Begin drawing their portrait

Day 2: Painting, Refinement & Final Artwork

Develop Painting Techniques

• Explore colour mixing, including creating different skin tones

• Learn techniques for shading, layering and expressive brushwork

• Practise representing light, shadow and texture

• Consider how colour can communicate mood and personality

Create & Refine Their Portrait

• Continue developing their final portrait with individual guidance

• Work on facial features, proportions and expression

• Develop backgrounds and meaningful personal details

• Learn to evaluate their work and make thoughtful improvements

• Refine the artwork while maintaining their own individual style

Tell Their Subject's Story

• Reflect on the person they've chosen to portray

• Write a short artist statement explaining who the person is and why they're special

• Learn how artists present and discuss their work

• Review their completed portrait and creative development

Throughout the two days, students will explore observational drawing, portraiture, proportion, composition, colour, painting and personal expression.

What They'll Take Home

• An original portrait developed over two focused days

• Preliminary sketches and facial studies

• Colour and painting experiments

• A short artist statement

• New drawing and painting skills

• A meaningful artwork with the potential to be submitted to the Young Archie competition, subject to official entry requirements

Perfect For

Young artists who love drawing and painting, enjoy creative challenges and want to develop their portraiture skills.

Recommended for ages 8+. Some previous drawing or painting experience is helpful.

This workshop is more focused and technique-based than our general holiday workshops. Students should be comfortable spending extended periods developing and refining an artwork.

📍 Workshop Details

📅 Monday 18 & Tuesday 19 January 2027
🕒 10am to 3pm each day, including supervised lunch breaks
📍 A Little Bite Studio, Wentworth Point NSW
🎨 Recommended for ages 8+
✨ All art materials included

Two-day workshop fee: To be confirmed

Important: This is a two-day intensive. Students must attend both days to develop and complete their portrait.

Please bring a nut-free lunch, snacks and a named drink bottle on both days.

Competition information: This workshop is inspired by the Young Archie competition. Any submission must meet the official 2027 eligibility, artwork and entry requirements. Participation does not guarantee entry acceptance or selection.

Two focused days. One meaningful portrait. And the opportunity to grow as a young artist.

We can't wait to see the people and stories they bring to life!