LIVE ONLINE COURSE
BREATHE LIFE INTO CHARCOAL PORTRAITS
with Zhaoming Wu, Master Artist & Mentor
Master the Art of Expressive Portraiture with a Charcoal Drawing Legend
You Will Learn:
Zhaoming’s personal charcoal techniques for creating expressive, volumetric portraits
How to structure the head using geometric and anatomical landmarks
Ways to use positive and negative shapes to strengthen composition and design
How to understand and apply light on form
Techniques to control value and edge for atmosphere and depth
Tips for developing a loose, confident drawing style grounded in classical principles
Audience: Fine Art Painters
Mediums: Charcoal
Stage: Emerging, Accomplished, Professional
Session Dates & Times:
Saturday & Sunday
August 16 & 17, 2025
10:00 am – 5:00 pm MT
1-hour lunch break
$497.00
Out of stock
Price in USD
Course Description
Join world-renowned artist Zhaoming Wu for a 2-day immersive workshop in expressive charcoal portrait drawing.
Designed for emerging and professional artists, this 12-hour experience will elevate your understanding of traditional drawing principles while exploring Zhaoming’s signature loose and atmospheric style.
Learn to approach portraiture through the lens of positive & negative shapes, light on form, and geometric-to-anatomical translation.
With in-depth demos, personalized critiques, and one-on-one guidance, Zhaoming will teach you how to create strong value structures and compelling edges that bring volume, structure, and mood to your work.
This workshop is more than technique, it’s an opportunity to absorb the mindset and methodology of one of today’s most respected figurative artists.
🎥 COURSE RECORDINGS available for 1-MONTH after the course ends!
High School, University, and College students get 20% OFF. See FAQs at the bottom of page.
Supply List
- Blick’s Kneaded Erasers
- Strathmore 400 series recycled drawing pad (wire-bound, 18×24, white, medium, 80 LB)
- Blick studio vine charcoal (extra soft, pkg of 12)
- General’s charcoal pencils (kit of 5: 2B, 4B, 6B, and white)
- Spray fixative for pencils and charcoals
Instructor Bio
Born in Guangzhou, China, Zhaoming Wu grew up during the Cultural Revolution. He began to study Chinese brush painting at the age of 8. Following high school, he became a graphic artist at an advertising agency. He credits this experience in helping him to develop substantial painting skills as well as the art of story telling. Later, he graduated from Guangzhou Academy of Fine Art where he earned a BFA in painting and was as an assistant professor there for seven years. After moving to San Francisco, California, he received his MFA in painting from the Academy of Art University where he is currently an instructor. Active for many years as both an artist and a teacher, Zhaoming has works exhibited in museums and private collections around the world.
Although he is best known for his figurative painting, using live models with flowing drapes, he is inspired by and paints the landscape. The natural elements remind him of the curves of the body and folds of the cloth. Influenced by the 19th century French painters, he describes his work as “representational, but not traditional classical.” This technique can be seen through the combination of more modern elements and understanding of graphic design. Utilizing his knowledge of heightened colors and values, he makes powerful, conscious decisions about their application.
Recent national and international publications have highlighted his vibrant career and technique. He has been featured in major domestic art magazines such as Fine Art Today, Fine Art Connoisseur, American Art Collector, Southwest Art and Plein Air Magazine. International publications include Arte Y Libertad (Spain), Art of Watercolor (China) and Pratique des Arts, (French). He has published 11 books and was featured in 3 instructional DVDs.
Major awards and honors have been given to Zhaoming Wu. These organizations include the International Artist’s Magazine, Oil Painters of America and the National Oil and Acrylic Painter’s Society, among others. For 7 consecutive years, he was a juror of an international art contest at the European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona, Spain
