IARFA hosts experiential workshop with international artist

Students from IARFA display their charcoal portraits created during the workshop, alongside featured artist, Oscar Law Yat Sun and organizers. IARFA

Far Eastern University (FEU)’s Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts (IARFA) held a “Charcoal Portrait Workshop” last September 5, featuring Hong Kong artist, Oscar Law Yat Sun who provided its students with direct exposure to international perspectives on portraiture and practical training with charcoal as a medium.

Gathering 20 IARFA students, the workshop began with a morning seminar on the fundamentals of charcoal portraiture. In the afternoon, Law led a hands-on session and taught expressive techniques for capturing likeness, depth, and emotion of a subject. Law also discussed how their work bridges tradition and contemporary approaches in portraiture, giving students insight into how technical skill can be combined with cultural and emotional expression.

Law, a self-taught artist who started drawing at the age of five, has specialized in charcoal portraiture since 2011. Law's practice combines Chinese and Western art theories, and in 2020, Law was awarded the title of Chevalier Academicien by France’s Mondial Art Academia. Law's works are known for their depth and emotional resonance, often exploring themes of identity and human connection.

Department chair of Fine Arts, Jaclyn Dating, emphasized how the activity was significant for the students and the department.

“The workshop…provided [the students] with valuable experiential learning. Through direct exposure to the techniques and insight of an internationally recognized artist, [they] enhanced both their technical proficiency in charcoal portraiture and their understanding of portraiture as a medium for exploring identity and emotion,” she said.

“The workshop underscored the value of international collaboration in enriching curriculum delivery and broadening student perspectives. It also aligns with FEU IARFA’s commitment to holistic, globally-informed training that develops both artistic skill and critical insight for professional practice,” said Dating.

The event was organized by Oscar Law Yat Sun, Venerable Zhi Pu, Marilyn Lopega, Rose Fama, and Belinda Tan of the Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery in partnership with FEU IARFA. After the sessions, IARFA faculty led a campus tour for the guest artist and participants.