One of the most magical discoveries I have experienced as an artist is that, "I can paint faces!!" These were the exact words that escaped in excitement when I finished my first portrait. Since painting that portrait, I have not only seen my portrait work grow beyond my own personal artistic boundaries, but I have also gained a more expressive quality and voice in my work. Exploring this new expressive approach to my art, I can directly attribute much of that growth to simplifying my portrait painting process.

I designed this class for all levels from the very beginner to the practiced artist. Although we will work together in establishing some basic portrait basics, we will not draw a single line! NO DRAWING NEEDED. We will be painters, enjoying the art of the painted portrait without measuring and technical mumbo jumbo that only confuses the joy of painting.

Course will focus on:
Complete 2-6 Simplified Portraits.
We will work from the same image provided for first piece and then an individualized image (student choice) for additional pieces.
This workshop can be done in acrylics or oils (or both).
We will not be striving for realism, instead focussing on the expressive quality of portraiture.
We will explore paint colors, skin tones and color mixing.
Elements of the face and how they apply to facial expressions.
Portraits from different perspectives.
Defining the face through shadow and light.
Highlighting the stylistic differences each artist brings to their own painting. 

Students will need the following supplies for class:
Two to four 9x12 or larger canvases (pre-primed with a coat of inexpensive red acrylic paint)
Any color red, inexpensive acrylic paint to prime canvas
Paint colors (Either acrylic or oil)
Titanium White
Raw Umber or Burnt Umber
Yellow Ochre
Cadmium or Pyrrole Red
Paintbrushes. I like a size 4, 6 and/or 8 Filbert. Maybe a detail round size 2, but I always recommend using what you have on hand and not buying anything new for the workshop.
At least one reference photo to paint from. Some tips for choosing a photo:
Image should be a simple headshot, sometimes it helps to have a B&W and color version to reference. If you crop the photo to 3x4 and then print it to “fit the page” the dimensions will be correct to work from.
If painting in Acrylic:
Water bucket to clean brushes
Paper towels and/or baby wipes
Golden OPEN acrylic medium (optional, but this keeps your paint workable and easier to blend longer)
Sta-wet palette
Palette knife for mixing colors
If painting in Oil:
Brush washer
Gamsol
Palette
Paper towels
Gloves (optional)
Oil medium (optional. I like Gamblin Alklyd)
Tabletop easel if preferred (optional)