Portrait Painting

Dive into the captivating world of oil portrait painting with our 5-Day Intensive Workshop, designed to empower artists of all levels with the mastery of painting portraits. Whether you're aiming to capture the subtlety of realistic skin tones or explore the dynamic energy of bold brushstrokes, this workshop offers a tailored pathway to your artistic aspirations.

This workshop is perfect for both beginners intrigued by the medium of oils and intermediate painters aiming to refine their technique and delve deeper into the nuances of portrait painting.

Choose Your Painting Style:

• Realistic Portraits: For those drawn to the precision and subtlety of lifelike images, this path focuses on achieving realism in your portraits. Learn techniques to capture fine details, nuanced skin tones, and the delicate interplay of light and shadow that brings a portrait to life with depth and realism.

• Expressive Portraits with Bold Brushstrokes: If you’re inclined towards a more dynamic and expressive approach, this option encourages you to explore the power of bold brushstrokes and vibrant colors. Discover how to convey emotion and personality through a more abstract or impressionistic style, using oils to create impactful, expressive portraits that capture more than just a likeness.

Using water mixable oils you will learn how to paint with oils, working with opacity and transparencies, veiling and glazing to create a realistic portrait painting. You will learn how to see colour values and the importance in creating a life like painting.

• Learn techniques for painting the eyes, skin and hair
• Understand which brushes to use and when
• Mixing skin tones
• How to paint in layers and use opacity and transparencies
• Picking a good reference images with the right lighting
• Techniques for painting clothing
• How to glaze

This workshop is designed specifically so that you can focus on the art of painting, shortcutting the often daunting task of drawing up. Our unique approach involves the use of projectors to transfer images onto canvases, allowing participants to concentrate on mastering oil painting techniques to create stunning, high-quality portraits rather than spending hours drawing up and struggling with proportions.

For this workshop Tracy will provide you with a number of reference images to choose from to enhance your learning experience, in order to cover a range of important techniques.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

• Preparation without Pain: Start your paintings with confidence as we guide you through the process of using projectors to accurately place your subject on the canvas. This technique ensures precision and proportion, setting a solid foundation for your artwork. This method not only saves time but ensures that you can dive straight into painting, focusing on colour, texture, and detail from the outset giving you more time in class learning to paint your portrait.
• Colour Theory and Skin Tones: Gain an understanding of colour theory as it applies specifically to painting portraits in oils. Learn the subtle art of mixing a broad spectrum of skin tones and how to capture the interplay of light and shadow on the skin. You will learn how to use colour to convey emotion and personality in your portraits.
• Brushwork Mastery: Explore the variety of brushes available to oil painters and how to use them effectively. From delicate detailing to bold strokes, learn the techniques that will allow you to render texture, hair, and fabric realistically.
• Layering and Glazing: Uncover the secrets of layering and glazing to achieve luminous skin tones and a sense of depth. Understand the timing and techniques for applying glazes, and how to build up layers to enhance the three-dimensional feel of your portraits.
• Techniques for Texture and Finish: Discover how to use bold brushstrokes and placement of colour to create a looser style portrait or learn how to blend and use dry brushing techniques to create a realistic finish. Understand how these techniques can add complexity and richness to your portraits, making them more vibrant and tactile.
• The Art of Composition: Discover the principles of composition in portrait painting. Learn how to effectively use light, shadow, and background elements to create compelling and balanced compositions.
• Personalised Instruction: Benefit from personalised feedback and tailored instruction in a small class setting. Tracy provides critique for each step you take through the painting process to ensure you learn and improve as you go. Tracy is dedicated to helping you overcome individual challenges and achieve your artistic goals.

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

• A canvas 40.6cm x 50.8cm
• Use of paints
• Use of brushes, palette, apron, easels etc.
• Attendance at 1 - 2 additional classes to help finish your painting at no extra cost
• Printed instructional notes
• Reference Image to Work From
• Tea, Coffee, Biscuits.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Packet of Baby Wipes
• A Roll of Paper Towel
• Any old hogs hair brushes you have at home (if you have them)
• An A4 visual diary if you have one already (available in class - no need to purchase before coming)

BOOK NOW:

This workshop is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the art of oil portrait painting, enhanced by innovative teaching methods and a focus on practical skills. Whether you're looking to begin your journey with oils or aiming to elevate your existing skills, this workshop is designed to provide a solid foundation and inspire your continued artistic development.

Spaces are limited to ensure a personalised and focused learning experience. Register now to secure your place in this unique artistic journey.