Surrealist Portraits & Figures

Learn how to come up with a great theme and composition for your surrealist story and combine this with a beautiful face or figure to create a unique stylised portrait/figure painting.

You will learn how to draw up, shade and paint the skin and features of the face. We have lots of reference photos for portraits or figures to paint that can be combined with other imagery to build your surreal portrait.

We will explore how to combine images into a great composition using phone/tablet apps and then how to transfer your compiled reference image onto your canvas as a sketch ready for painting.

You will use acrylics, oils, inks, mediums, dry pastels, oil pastels and oil sticks to build your painting, exploring these different mediums and what can be achieved with them.

This workshop will show you how to:

• Find inspiration sources, looking at lighting and picking a good composition
• Learn how to use an app to help you develop layers and imagery so you will begin with a fabulous composition before painting
• You will learn how to imbed abstract and life like images with the female form, face or figure to create an exciting story to lead the viewer into your painting
• Learn how to get the correct colour values in your painting
• You will concentrate on transparent and opaque layers to create atmosphere and mystique
• Explore how using dry pastels, acrylics, inks, oil paints, oil pastels and oil sticks can all be used in your painting for interesting effects
• We will use mediums and oils to create layered effects
• Learn the correct brushes and mediums to achieve different effects in your artwork.

This course will have you buzzing with excitement on how you can develop ideas and curate your own style and personality that’s uniquely yours.

This workshop is suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced artists. Whether you are looking to expand your skills or starting your painting journey, this workshop is for you.

Provided Materials:

You will receive an art kit valued at over $200 provided in this workshop. This kit includes some of the essential materials for completing your masterpiece.  If there are any items in the kit that you already have these can be swapped for other products/colours during the workshop.

During the workshop we will provide use of many products for you to try out as well.  We provide use of easels, aprons etc.

What to Bring:

We ask you to bring along any items you already have from home that could be useful for this workshop. There is no need to go shopping for art materials prior to the course as you will receive the included art kit and will have use of some of our materials in class as well.  We have art products available for purchase in our shop during the workshop as well.

iPad/Tablet: If you have an iPad or other tablet, please bring this to class as we will show you how to use apps to create reference images. If you don't have a tablet you can use your phone but this is not as ideal as using a tablet.

Canvas: You will need to purchase a canvas for the class - we recommend purchasing a canvas during class when you work out your desired composition.

Please bring any of these items if you have them already:

• Visual art diary
• Your brushes from home
• Any acrylics, acrylic inks, acrylic flow paints or pouring paints you have
• Acrylic marker pens if you have any
• Any oil paints and oil sticks you may have
• Any pastels (dry) or oil pastels you have
• A paint palette - glass palettes are ideal and stay-wet palettes

Please bring the following items available for purchase at a supermarket:

• A packet of Baby Wipes
• A Roll Paper Towel