This course will teach you the entire process of creating a portrait painting in oils from start to finish.
The basic course includes:
- A complete demonstration and explanation of the entire process of painting a full colour portrait painting in oils.
- 11+ hours of HD video lessons.
- Reference image
- Materials list
If you want to receive further support and guidance throughout the course, I also offer a fully guided package:
If you choose this option, you will be able to meet with me between each stage of the painting for a 30 min Zoom critique. This will allow you to ask questions about things you found difficult and receive advice that will help you to improve much more quickly.
Course Overview
First Session
You will begin the portrait with a wash drawing using just a single paint and medium, so you can focus on tone and brushwork without having to worry about colour. At the end of the session I will show you how to apply a tone over this wash drawing in preparation for the second week.
Getting Started
Learn how to put brush to canvas in a simple way, using just one paint colour to find the general proportions first.
Separating Light and Dark
You will then use shadows and lights as a way to give the painting a solid underlying structure.
Finishing the Wash Drawing
Once your shadows are blocked in, you will finish the wash drawing by adding more details in the shadows and lights.
Second Session
Using the wash drawing as your guide, you will then block in the major colours before learning how to develop the halftones to make the portrait look 3D.
Shadows and Halftones
You will begin the second session by adding colour and variations in the shadows and halftones. This will make the painting look more 3D.
Adding the Features
You will then learn how to start painting the eyes, nose and mouth, with a focus on how the features relate to the underlying anatomy of the face.
Colouring the Background
You will finish the second session by adding colour to the background, which will tie together the whole painting.
Third Session
The final session will focus on glazing, scumbling and adding final details. I will also cover good practice for storing and varnishing finished paintings.
Refining the Head Structure
You will look for more subtle forms in the skull in order to reinforce a sense of solidity and structure in the portrait.
Finishing the Features
Learn how to render the features to a high level of finish and aim for a good likeness to the sitter.
Finishing the Painting
The final lessons will cover hair texture and sheen as well as best practice for storing and varnishing the painting.
Course Curriculum
- Laying in the Darkest Tones (21:39)
- Filling in the Remaining Shadows (19:14)
- Adding Darker Halftones and Midtones - Part 1 (17:26)
- Adding Darker Halftones and Midtones - Part 1 (11:09)
- Adding the Lightest Tones - Part 1 (11:47)
- Adding the Lightest Tones - Part 2 (17:00)
- Developing Forms (19:25)
- Establishing the Lips (15:55)
- Establishing the Eyes - Part 1 (15:55)
- Establishing the Eyes - Part 2 (17:13)
- Colouring the Background (11:02)
- Oiling-In and Finishing the Forehead - Part 1 (22:58)
- Oiling-In and Finishing the Forehead - Part 2 (23:34)
- Glazing the Shadows and Painting the Eyes - Part 1 (15:33)
- Glazing the Shadows and Painting the Eyes - Part 2 (10:35)
- Glazing the Shadows and Painting the Eyes - Part 3 (22:33)
- Working on the Bridge of the Nose (11:34)
- Finishing the Rest of the Nose (15:19)
- Finishing the Cheeks (21:16)
- Rendering the Mouth - Part 1 (14:02)
- Rendering the Mouth - Part 2 (13:33)
- Completing the Jawline (11:41)
- Finishing off the Hair and Clothing (21:12)