Workshop: Introduction to drawing portraits in charcoal with Jamie Zubairi
Monday 22nd June 2026 , 6:00pm to 9:00pm
The first session in a relaxed and welcoming two-part workshop series at the Lakeside Centre to gain confidence in drawing portraits.
Where do you start when drawing the human face? What are we looking for when capturing the essence of portraiture? In the first session of this two-part workshop, you will be guided through drawing faces using charcoal and pencil by artist Jamie Zubairi (Zooby).
Participants will learn fun and freeing techniques in approaching drawing the face: from photographs in the first workshop, to a live portrait model in the second workshop. The portraits created in this series of workshops may be selected as part of an upcoming exhibition.
Some drawing skills will be useful, however, for beginners we advise you to watch and practice alongside the first video in this series: Week 1 The Basics.
All materials will be provided. This workshop is suitable for ages 14+. Tickets can be booked for the second workshop in this series here.
Light refreshments will be provided during a break in the session.
This event will take place inside the Media Space at the Lakeside Centre, Bazalgette Way, London, SE2 9AN.
More about the upcoming exhibition
A Portrait of Thamesmead, an upcoming exhibition at the Lakeside Centre, is a portrayal of Thamesmead residents through large-scale charcoal drawings. Drawings from the workshop will contribute to the final exhibition. You can find out more here.
About Jamie Zubairi
Jamie Zubairi uses portraiture to explore personality, expression and place, portraying Thamesmead residents in this exhibition of oversized charcoal on paper drawings accompanied by the soundscape of collaged interviews of residents of Thamesmead. Included in this exhibition are the portraits created by the participant of the portrait drawing workshops that Zooby held over the duration of the commission. A selection of these works will be reproduced for the Thamesmead Festival, 8th August 2026
Jamie Zubairi (or Zooby as he is known) is a Bow Artist and Thamesmead resident of 8 years. Alongside his drawing practise, running Thamesmead Life Drawing, he is an actor, playwright, photographer, poet and creative facilitator with All Good Dreamers.
Access Information
The Lakeside Centre is accessible via the lift, on the ground floor inside the studios.
For any additional access information and queries, please email pandp@bowarts.com.
Please note parking is not available. There is a bike shed on site.
