The aim of this workshop is to successfully complete an oil portrait from a live model, from pencil drawing through to finished piece.

On day 1 we will spend much of the day drawing the image freehand on paper. Drawing skills are the foundation of painting so the aim of this stage is to thoroughly become familiar with the image and to attain a high degree of accuracy before starting to paint. This image will be transferred to substrate when complete.

We will explore sight-sizing, cognitive biases, and alternate methods of laying down the foundation drawing such as gridding up and transfer from a photocopy or print.

On days 2 & 3 we will develop and complete the oil portrait, and further explore issues of painting from life and cognitive biases, the use of varying brush strokes / brush sizes / detail to create an interesting surface which reflects the various textures of human skin and hair, and the capturing of the ‘essence’ of the person.

Other techniques investigated will include soft edges to maintain looseness, colour mixing for flesh tones (I will show you my favourite colour mixes), ways to add ‘pop’ to areas such as irises, noses etc, and glazing methods.