Introduction to Portrait Painting in Oils
This six-week course offers a comprehensive introduction to the classical, indirect method of portrait painting. Students will work step by step through the traditional process of building a portrait, beginning with drawing and progressing from an underpainting through glazing to final touches. By the end of this course, each participant will create a portrait while developing a deeper understanding of structure, form, and color.
Course Outline:
Week 1: Drawing & Structure of the Head
Learn the foundations of portrait drawing, focusing on proportion, placement, and the anatomy of the head and face. This week will be spent with graphite and charcoal. We will look at some examples from Art History to see how portrait painting was approached throughout art history.
Week 2: Beginning the Grisaille
Start the monochromatic underpainting to establish composition, form, and tone.
Week 3: Refining the Grisaille
Continue developing the grisaille, closing forms and clarifying structure to create a strong foundation for color.
Weeks 4–6: Glazing & Opaque Layers
Introduce transparent glazes and opaque layers of paint to build depth, luminosity, and naturalistic skin tones. Explore how light moves across form, refine mark-making techniques, and discover how to create depth on a 2 dimensional surface.
Throughout the course, students will gain an understanding of the structure of the head and facial features, learn practical tools for mixing a variety of skin tones, and develop a repeatable process for future portrait projects.
Class will meet on the following dates from 6 PM – 8:30 PM: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23 (If anyone needs to miss a class, 10/30 is available for a makeup session.)
Cost: $300 for all 6 session or $55 per session if you need to miss one
*Class participants will receive a discount on all other events for September/October. Bring a friend and you will each get $10 off. Class capped at 6 people.
Materials:
Before class 1: Send Caroline 3 options for your portrait and she will sign off on one. Look for photos with a strong, controlled light source. Print this off and bring it to class.
Week 1: a sketchbook, an eraser, and drawing pencils: 2h, HB, 2b, 4b
Weeks 2 and 3: a canvas, raw umber or burnt umber oil paint (not master’s touch), white oil paint (titanium zinc or Titanium), gamsol and linseed oil, a glass jar with a lid, paper towels, and paint brushes.
Weeks 4 – 6: Everything from the previous weeks and Liquin original and oil paint colors: yellow ochre, red ochre, cadmium red, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, cold black
