The Young Archies

Specialist Portraiture Workshops with Sophie Hann

The 2025 Young Archies Portraiture Group is now well underway. Thirty-five students from Years 6 to 12 have been developing and refining their understanding of portraiture theory and technique in preparation for their final works for the 2026 Young Archie Competition.

Award-winning portrait artist Sophie Hann recently led two weekend workshops for our artists on Saturday 31 May and Sunday 8 June. Sophie’s portraiture practice draws on themes of life, imagination and memory. Across a series of high-paced drawing exercises, she showed students how to apply theory in courageous, playful and expressive ways. Observational skills and technical accuracy were fine-tuned, while mistakes were welcomed as expressive and artful elements within each composition. A kind, analytical and solutions-focused mindset was encouraged and practised.

For anyone who has ever thought, ‘I couldn’t draw or paint to save my life’, these approaches might just change your mind.
We thank Sophie for her time, and for generously sharing her creative passion and expertise.

“I enjoyed the pen and wash technique because it let me mix up different styles to create something unique.”
— Haru, Year 6

“I learnt how to draw the nose, ears, eyes and mouth from different positions, because the face changes as the body moves.”
— Mark, Year 7

“Sophie encouraged us to accurately illustrate facial features quickly, which is an essential skill for future practice. Being able to create multiple portraits helps an artist understand their subject.”
— Charlie, Year 12

Drift Exhibition by Sophie Hann

We encourage everyone to visit Sophie’s current portraiture exhibition, Drift, which opened on Friday 13 June and runs until Saturday 12 July at Smart Art Gallery – just a short walk from St Peter’s College, on the corner of North Terrace and Trinity Street.

Drift invites viewers into lush tropical forests, serene rock pools on hot summer days, and meandering paths along sun-drenched coastlines. You’ll also find exquisite portrait studies drawn from live sittings in Sophie’s home studio.

Rosalynde Skewes
Coordinator of the Young Archies Portraiture Group