How to Improve Drawing Proportions at a Portland Art Workshop

Artist Erika Halperin will lead a beginner-level drawing workshop focused on mastering proportions at the Church of Art in NW Portland. The three-and-a-half-hour session includes hands-on exercises using graphite and charcoal to help students improve their technical accuracy.

The workshop aims to help participants move past “wonky” drawings by focusing on the relationship between different parts of a subject. According to The Official Guide to Portland, the session begins with a discussion of selected artworks that highlight relative proportions before moving into practical application.

Technical skills at Church of Art

Participants will work with a variety of drawing papers while utilizing both graphite and charcoal. Erika Halperin, the founder of Church of Art, will guide the group through individual exercises and provide direct feedback to students during the process.

The event is designed for anyone new to the medium or those looking to refine existing skills. The Official Guide to Portland said that the workshop is intended to be a low-pressure environment where attendees do not need to “be an artist” to participate.

The session includes the following:

3.5 hours of instruction and drawing
All necessary supplies and materials
Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages

The Church of Art operates as an art-centered community space located in the NW Portland area. The organizers describe the environment as supportive and friendly, emphasizing creative play among adults.

Community impact in NW Portland

Beyond technical instruction, the workshop seeks to foster social connection through shared creative activity. The organizers said that the event aims to provide “that wonderful feeling of joy and connectedness that comes from a few hours of creative, artistic play with other adults.”

By offering approachable workshops, the space functions as a community hub for adult learners in the city. The focus remains on accessibility, allowing residents to meet new people while engaging in a structured artistic experience.