9-Day Master Portrait Course

The 9-Day Master Portrait Course is our most in-depth and personalized offering – created for those who want to commit to the practice of portrait drawing at a deeper level. Across nine immersive sessions, plus a dedicated Technical Class, you’ll refine your understanding of facial structure, expression, light, and tonality through charcoal.

This course blends high-level technical training with thoughtful repetition, personal feedback, and emotional depth. Each sketch becomes a meditation on form, presence, and character. You’ll leave with not only finished portraits but a stronger foundation and the confidence to continue drawing independently.

Fee & Course Details

Duration: 9 days (13 sessions, 2.5 hours each)
Days: Sunday to Friday (Closed on Saturdays)
Batch 1: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Batch 2: 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Price: ₹24,999  per person (Technical Class, all materials and toolkit included)
Location: Dharamkot, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India

How to Book

To secure your seat, you can either make a 50% advance payment or pay the full amount in advance. The remaining balance, if any, can be paid on arrival.

Book Now

Dates 2026

MARCH

  • 22–31 March

APRIL

  • 5–14 April
  • 19–28 April

MAY

  • 3–12 May
  • 17–26 May
  • 31 May–9 June

JUNE

  • 14–23 June
  • 28 June–7 July

JULY

  • 12–21 July
  • 26 July–4 August

AUGUST

  • 9–18 August
  • 23 August–1 September

SEPTEMBER

  • 6–15 September
  • 20–29 September

OCTOBER

  • 4–13 October
  • 18–27 October

What you’ll learn

The 9-Day Portrait Program is an immersive and personalised journey into the art of human portrait drawing. Across thirteen intensive sessions, you will explore facial structure, proportion, light, shadow, expression, and emotional depth — all through the medium of charcoal and the dry-brush technique.

Over the course of the program, you will create three complete portraits. The first focuses on building strong technical foundations and realistic accuracy. The second moves into a more personal and expressive approach, encouraging you to develop mood, softness, and individuality. The third and final portrait integrates everything you’ve learned, guiding you toward a confident, mature style of portrait drawing.

This program is designed for those who want to go beyond basic sketching and truly understand the human face — not just as a subject to copy, but as a living, expressive form. You will receive in-depth personal guidance, structured demonstrations, daily practice, and detailed feedback to help refine both your technical skill and artistic sensitivity.

No prior experience in portrait drawing is required. This program is suitable for beginners as well as artists looking to deepen their portrait practice and develop a professional-level foundation.

Day 1 – Foundations in Technique (Sunday)
1 Session · 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Introduction to portrait fundamentals and technical drawing exercises. Build core skills in observation, proportion, and charcoal handling.

Day 2 – Beginning the Technical Portrait (Monday)
2 Sessions · 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM & 03:30 PM – 06:00 PM
Start your first charcoal portrait using structure, proportion, and dry-brush techniques. Focus on accuracy and building a strong technical foundation.

Day 3 – Completing the Technical Portrait (Tuesday)
2 Sessions · 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM & 03:30 PM – 06:00 PM
Refine your first portrait by working on tone, edges, form, and detail—guiding it toward realism.

Day 4 – Beginning the Personal Portrait (Wednesday)
1 Session · 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Begin your second portrait with a more personal approach. Shift from technical precision to expression, mood, and artistic interpretation.

Day 5 – Completing the Personal Portrait (Thursday)
2 Sessions · 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM & 03:30 PM – 06:00 PM
Complete your second portrait. Learn softness, transitions, emotional depth, and individuality in portrait art.

Day 6 – Consolidation & Refinement (Friday)
1 Session · 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Refine skills, revisit key techniques, and receive in-depth personal feedback. This session integrates everything learned so far.

Day 7 – Start of the Third Personal Portrait (Sunday)
1 Session · 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Begin your third and most advanced personal portrait, applying both technical mastery and expressive depth.

Day 8 – Continuing the Third Portrait
2 Sessions · 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM & 03:30 PM – 06:00 PM
Deepen the portrait with advanced tonal control, layering, and detailing.

Day 9 – Final Touches & Completion of the Third Portrait
1 Session · 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Final refinement, finishing details, and professional-level presentation of your completed artwork.

What you’ll take home

  • Three finished charcoal portraits
  • A strong understanding of facial anatomy
  • Improved eye-to-hand coordination, concentration and observation
  • Confidence to pick any subject and create a portrait
  • By the time you leave, you’ll have a new eye – the way you see the world will be forever changed

Who This Is For

Ideal for anyone who wants to:

● Learn portrait sketching from scratch
● Improve realism and accuracy
● Develop strong observation skills
● Experience a focused, creative learning environment

No previous drawing experience needed.

What’s Included

● 9 days of guided portrait instruction
● All drawing materials (charcoal, papers, tools)
● Structured exercises and methods
● Studio access at Pahadi Roots
● Tea & water at the venue

Cancellation & Rescheduling policy

We understand that plans can change. To keep things smooth for everyone, here’s how cancellations and rescheduling work:
Full Refund – If you cancel more than 72 hours before your first session.
50% Refund – If you cancel between 48 to 72 hours before your first session.
No Refund – If you cancel less than 48 hours before the start of the course.

Rescheduling: If you’re unable to attend a session, we’re happy to reschedule your class once (subject to availability), provided you inform us at least 24 hours in advance.

We keep our batches small, and your seat blocks time and materials. Thank you for your understanding.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to complete the 6-Day Portrait Course before this?
The 9-Day Course is a continuation of the 6-Day Course and can be started right after completing the Technical Class.

2. What’s included in the toolkit?
Your toolkit includes a set of high-quality charcoal materials, brushes, drawing papers and other tools we use during the course — designed to support your independent practice after the program.

3. Will I work on multiple portraits?
Yes. You’ll work on feature studies, expressions, and at least two complete portraits – one guided, one independently executed.
You will be able to finish 3 portraits.

4. Can I focus on portraits from imagination or memory?
This course is grounded in reference-based learning, but we’ll explore personal interpretation and subtle creative freedom in the final sessions.

5. I don’t have 9 days. Do you have short courses?
Yes, you can join the 3-Day Objects Course, 6-Day Portrait Course, or the 6-Day Charcoal Retreat.