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**All sessions are live and will be recorded, students do not have to be present. All recordings will be available to students for 3 months after the final session, after 3 months the recording will be deleted.
Please check your email spam/junk folder for your Zoom invite. Our business hours are 10:00 AM through 5:00 PM. All course information and email correspondence will be sent during business hours. If students purchase a course, workshop, demo or recording outside business hours or during the weekend the course information or recording will be sent the following business day.
Inspired by the working methods of Anders Zorn, this three-week course explores a direct, observational approach to portrait painting in oils. Through the use of a limited palette, careful observation, and confident brushwork, students will learn a clear painting procedure that emphasises strong drawing, value relationships, colour temperature, and economical decision-making. Suitable for beginners with some drawing experience as well as more experienced painters, the course focuses on practical methods that students can continue applying in their own work beyond the classroom.
Week 1 – Seeing the Big Shapes
Students begin by simplifying the portrait into large shapes and value masses while establishing accurate proportion and a confident block-in. The Anders Zorn palette will be introduced alongside a straightforward painting procedure designed to encourage confident, direct observation.
Week 2 – Building Form with Light and Colour
Using the limited palette, students will develop convincing form through value, colour temperature and carefully controlled edges. The emphasis will be on creating a strong sense of volume while maintaining freshness and avoiding unnecessary overworking.
Week 3 – Refinement and Painterly Finish
Students will learn how to selectively refine their portraits by controlling edges, strengthening focal points and placing final accents. The final session focuses on making confident decisions, knowing when a painting is complete, and developing a repeatable approach that can be carried into future work.
Easel
Preferably an H-frame easel (or similar sturdy easel)
Palette
Wooden, glass or disposable palette
Brushes
Selection of hog bristle or synthetic brushes
A mixture of larger and smaller flat brushes
Painting Surface
Oil-primed paper, canvas or panel (approximately A3 size)
Oil Paints
Titanium White
Yellow Ochre
Cadmium Yellow Hue
Rose Madder or Alizarin Crimson
Cadmium Red Light (or Cadmium Red Medium)
Ivory Black
Burnt Sienna
Raw Umber
Ultramarine Blue
Mediums
Odourless Mineral Spirits
Liquin Original or similar alkyd medium
Other Equipment
Two flexible palette knives
Paper towels
Students may work at their own pace, with demonstrations and individual feedback adapted to suit their level of experience.
**All sessions are live and will be recorded, students do not have to be present. All recordings will be available to students for 3 months after the final session, after 3 months the recording will be deleted.
Please check your email spam/junk folder for your Zoom invite. Our business hours are 10:00 AM through 5:00 PM. All course information and email correspondence will be sent during business hours. If students purchase a course, workshop, demo or recording outside business hours or during the weekend the course information or recording will be sent the following business day.
Inspired by the working methods of Anders Zorn, this three-week course explores a direct, observational approach to portrait painting in oils. Through the use of a limited palette, careful observation, and confident brushwork, students will learn a clear painting procedure that emphasises strong drawing, value relationships, colour temperature, and economical decision-making. Suitable for beginners with some drawing experience as well as more experienced painters, the course focuses on practical methods that students can continue applying in their own work beyond the classroom.
Week 1 – Seeing the Big Shapes
Students begin by simplifying the portrait into large shapes and value masses while establishing accurate proportion and a confident block-in. The Anders Zorn palette will be introduced alongside a straightforward painting procedure designed to encourage confident, direct observation.
Week 2 – Building Form with Light and Colour
Using the limited palette, students will develop convincing form through value, colour temperature and carefully controlled edges. The emphasis will be on creating a strong sense of volume while maintaining freshness and avoiding unnecessary overworking.
Week 3 – Refinement and Painterly Finish
Students will learn how to selectively refine their portraits by controlling edges, strengthening focal points and placing final accents. The final session focuses on making confident decisions, knowing when a painting is complete, and developing a repeatable approach that can be carried into future work.
Easel
Preferably an H-frame easel (or similar sturdy easel)
Palette
Wooden, glass or disposable palette
Brushes
Selection of hog bristle or synthetic brushes
A mixture of larger and smaller flat brushes
Painting Surface
Oil-primed paper, canvas or panel (approximately A3 size)
Oil Paints
Titanium White
Yellow Ochre
Cadmium Yellow Hue
Rose Madder or Alizarin Crimson
Cadmium Red Light (or Cadmium Red Medium)
Ivory Black
Burnt Sienna
Raw Umber
Ultramarine Blue
Mediums
Odourless Mineral Spirits
Liquin Original or similar alkyd medium
Other Equipment
Two flexible palette knives
Paper towels
Students may work at their own pace, with demonstrations and individual feedback adapted to suit their level of experience.