Portrait painting: Level 2
Building upon the foundations covered in ZAFA’s Introduction to Portrait Drawing and Painting workshop, this course focuses entirely on the art of portrait painting in oils. Unlike the introductory workshop, which divides its time between charcoal drawing and oil painting, this course offers students the opportunity to explore the painting process in greater depth, culminating in an extended portrait project from a live model.
Some prior experience with drawing is recommended, either through independent practice or by completing ZAFA’s introductory portrait workshop. Throughout the course, students will work from photographic references, master paintings, and live models.
Understanding the Painting Process
One of the greatest challenges of portrait painting is that the artist must manage several interconnected elements simultaneously: drawing accuracy, value organization, color mixing, paint application, and mark making. Each of these presents its own challenges, and learning to balance them is essential to creating a successful portrait.
Rather than attempting to address all of these elements at once, this workshop takes a systematic, step-by-step approach. During the first half of the course, students will complete a series of focused exercises designed to isolate and strengthen individual skills. Each project builds upon the lessons of the previous one, gradually introducing greater complexity and preparing students for the more demanding task of painting directly from life.
The second half of the workshop will be devoted to an extended five-class portrait painting from a live model, giving students the opportunity to bring these individual skills together in a larger, more fully developed work.
Part One: Building the Foundations
Portrait Drawing and Proportions — 1 Class
We will begin with a pencil portrait drawing exercise, reviewing the fundamentals of proportion, measuring, and accurately mapping out the human head.
Students will be introduced to two complementary approaches to portrait drawing: construction drawing, which uses an understanding of three-dimensional form and anatomy to build the head, and the visual impression approach, which emphasizes careful observation of shapes and visual relationships.
These methods provide valuable tools for establishing an accurate likeness and creating a strong foundation for painting.
Values, Light, and Form — 1 Class
Our next project will be a black-and-white portrait study focused on the organization of values.
Students will explore how to simplify the complex variations of light and shadow into clear, organized value relationships that communicate three-dimensional form and a convincing sense of light.
This exercise will also introduce important anatomical landmarks of the head, along with measuring and drawing techniques particularly useful in portraiture.
Black-and-White Portrait Painting from Life — 1 Class
Students will then apply these principles to a one-day monochromatic oil painting from a live model.
Working from life introduces new challenges, including the need to observe three-dimensional form directly and translate subtle relationships of proportion, value, and light into paint.
By limiting the palette to black and white, students can concentrate on drawing accuracy, value organization, and paint handling without the additional complexity of color.
Color, Brushwork, and Master Studies — 2 Classes
Next, students will complete a two-class color study based on a master portrait painting.
This project will introduce important principles of color mixing, palette organization, and the relationships between hue, value, and chroma.
Studying the work of a master painter also provides an opportunity to examine how experienced artists simplify complex forms, organize color relationships, and use deliberate brushwork to describe form and suggest detail.
Particular attention will be given to mark making, paint application, and the ways in which individual brushstrokes can contribute to the overall structure and expression of a portrait.
Part Two: Extended Portrait Painting from Life
Five-Class Live Model Portrait
During the second half of the workshop, students will apply everything they have learned to a larger, more developed portrait painting from a live model.
Working over five classes will allow students to approach the painting process with greater care and deliberation, moving from the initial drawing and block-in through the organization of values and color, the development of individual forms, and the refinement of details and finishing touches.
This extended project will bring together the various elements explored during the first half of the course, challenging students to balance accurate drawing, convincing form, harmonious color, and expressive brushwork within a single painting.
By working from the same model over multiple sessions, students will also gain valuable experience managing a painting over an extended period, making thoughtful adjustments, and developing a more complete and unified work.
Instruction and Demonstrations
Throughout the workshop, the instructor will complete each project alongside the students, providing a continuous, step-by-step demonstration of the painting process.
Instruction will include lectures, live demonstrations, educational handouts, and daily one-on-one critiques. Students will have the opportunity to observe the instructor's approach to each stage of a painting, ask questions, and receive individualized guidance as they develop their own work.
Whether you are looking to strengthen your technical foundations, gain greater confidence painting from life, or develop a more systematic approach to portraiture, this workshop offers an opportunity to deepen your understanding of classical portrait painting.
We hope you will join us at ZAFA for this exciting exploration of portrait painting!
Details
July 17th to August 15th.
Saturdays and Sundays from 4-7PM
Take your portrait painting skills to the next level in this comprehensive oil painting workshop. Building upon the foundations of classical portraiture, students will explore drawing accuracy, value organization, color mixing, brushwork, and paint application through a series of progressively challenging projects. Working from photographic references, master paintings, and live models, students will develop a systematic approach to portrait painting. The workshop culminates in an extended five-class portrait painting from life, allowing students to bring everything they have learned together in a more fully developed work. With live demonstrations, lectures, and individualized instruction, this course is ideal for artists looking to deepen their understanding of portraiture and strengthen their oil painting skills.
Enrollment is confirmed upon completion of payment
“Very in depth course, helped me grow as an artist and will definitely put in to practice what I learned. Highly recommend ZAFA for artists of all levels.
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“This month in your class has left me feeling like I finally understand an aspect of brushwork that had been eluding me.
I will be encouraging the artists I know to come learn from you.
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“This class was fantastic! I 100% recommend taking the portraiture class. The instructor is so talented in his craft and in teaching. He was thoughtful and supportive throughout the process and was able to teach the skills in a way that was kind, easy to understand and was so patient as I asked him to repeat steps or re-explain the process.
The facility was great, the environment was great and the camaraderie with other students was perfect.
I did find this class challenging but never did I feel unsupported. I’m so happy I took this class.”
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