Contemporary Portraiture in Oils

This oil painting course focuses solely on portraiture. Students will undertake a number of traditional painting techniques while simultaneously encouraged to follow and develop their own unique style to create finished and refined artworks. The course aims for students to complete a total of three works in the 11 weeks using three different oil painting methods including layering and alla prima. Two of those three works will be painted from life with a model. Sessions will also include theory, demonstrations and one-on-one guidance with the tutor.    

This course is suitable for both beginners and painters with some experience. 

Course Outline

WEEK 1 - Introduction to the course structure for term 4. There will be a demo and discussion on how to plot and map the face using the Loomis Method. Students will undertake some drawing for the first lesson which will include a pencil study of a bust and study of facial features, allowing the tutor insight into where students are at with their level of skill.

PORTRAIT #1 - PHOTO REFERENCE

WEEK 2 - Foundation layer. Using photo reference of their choice (or provided by the teacher), students will create a foundation layer of their subject with a wash, raw umber and rubbing technique.  

WEEK 3 - Skin tone layer. Students will mix and apply 4 value skin tones to the foundation layer of their portrait from the previous week.

WEEK 4 - Glazing Layer. Students will refine and add translucent layers to their portrait from the previous week. 

PORTRAIT #2 - LAYERING (from life)

WEEK 5 - Foundation Layer. With a model students will use raw umber and rubbing technique to map the first layer and stage of the portrait underpainting

WEEK 6 - Underpainting/Grisaille. With the model from the previous week, students will continue refining the underpainting from the previous week creating a Grisaille layer.

WEEK 7 - Skin Tone Layer. With the model from the previous week students will mix and apply the skin tones to their Grisaille layer from the previous week. 

WEEK 8 - Glazing Layer. Students will apply translucent colour layers to refine and finish their Layered portrait.

PORTRAIT #3 - ALLA PRIMA (“AT FIRST ATTEMPT”)

WEEK 9 - Demo and theory on how and Alla Prima Painting is created.

WEEK 10 - With a model students with map the face and block in the first 2 - 3 values

WEEK 11 - With the model from the previous week, students will refine their Alla Prima portrait from the week before adding in mid-tones and highlights.