Introduction to Portrait Drawing Workshop Supply List

Vine stick (willow) charcoal

Compressed charcoal (many varieties; bring what you like)

Kneaded eraser

Hard plastic eraser (and an exacto knife to trim eraser)

Large drawing pad of all purpose drawing paper (PLEASE NO NEWSPRINT) about 16x22"

Black drawing ink

One large round pointed brush (at least 1/2" in diameter)

Three small glass jars for ink wash

Rags, paper towels

Masking tape

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.