Back to all Events > Portrait Drawing Demo: Achieving a Likeness

EVENT ENDED

DATE: Saturday 18 July 2026
WELCOME RECEPTION​​: 18:15 to 19:00
LIVE DEMO with Q&A SESSION: 19:00 to 21:00
VISITING ARTIST: Mina Mohtasham
LANGUAGE: English
LIMIT: 45 attendees maximum
DISCOUNT ENTRANCE COST: € 20,- per person for all tickets sold before 13 July
STANDARD ENTRANCE COST: € 25,- per person for ticket sales from 13 July and after
PARKING: Free

Live Portrait Drawing Demonstration

​Achieving a Likeness: Balancing Intuition and Accuracy

In this live portrait drawing demonstration, visiting artist Mina Mohtasham will explore how to capture a sitter's likeness by balancing careful observation with artistic intuition. Beginning with traditional academic methods including precise measuring, comparative proportions, and clear shape design, a strong structural foundation is established from the outset.

As the drawing develops, Mina's focus shifts toward a more intuitive approach. Gesture, emphasis, and selective refinement are used to create a portrait that conveys not only an accurate likeness, but also a compelling sense of presence and character. Throughout the demonstration, you will discover that likeness is not found through measurement alone, but also in the subtle relationships, rhythms, and visual decisions that bring a portrait to life.

Rather than treating measurement as a rigid system, Mina will demonstrate how a structural framework can support expressive decision-making. By allowing structure and intuition to work together, the portrait becomes both convincingly accurate and deeply human.
​
Whether you are an experienced portrait artist, a student, or simply interested in the art of portrait drawing, this demonstration offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into the working process of a professional portrait artist. All are welcome!

Portrait drawings by Mina. All images copyright © Mina Mohtasham

---

Visiting artist Mina Mohtasham

website    |   @minamohtash

Mina Mohtasham is a representational painter based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. Mina then went on to complete the core programme at Lyme Academy of Fine Art in Connecticut,  where she taught both figure and portrait drawing and painting until 2025.
​
Mina currently teaches privately in Pennsylvania, in addition to travelling to give international workshops. She is teaching a workshop at DARA from 13 to 17 July on Composition and Design in Graphite.

---

​Studio doors open at 18:15 for a welcome reception, and Mina's demonstration begins at 19:00. Parking is free and is available directly in front of the studio building.

​This event is limited to a maximum of 45 attendees. An automated email is sent to confirm your reservation. You receive a discount if you book before 13 July.

​Need to cancel your reservation? Cancellations may be made by emailing us at: [email protected]
Cancellations made before Thursday 16 July​ are fully refunded.
​