Sorolla and His Influence: Painting a Portrait (Online Course) Fall 2026 w/ Laurie Johnson

November 15 to December 13 (Sundays), 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time

**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.

Course Description

Few artists captured light, color, and the spirit of a person as beautifully as Joaquín Sorolla. In this inspiring portrait painting course, we will explore the techniques and artistic principles that made his work so compelling while creating a portrait from a photographic reference.

Together, we will break down the fundamentals of painting a strong likeness while moving beyond simply copying a photograph. Through thoughtful design, vibrant color, expressive brushwork, and the strategic use of light, you'll learn how to capture not only what a person looks like, but also the essence of who they are—the quality that first caught your attention and made you want to paint them.

Students will follow a step-by-step process for developing a portrait, from initial drawing and value structure to color, edges, and final brushwork. Along the way, we'll study Sorolla's confident mark-making, luminous palettes, and ability to bring life and movement to his paintings.

Whether you are new to portrait painting or looking to infuse your work with greater energy and expression, this course will help you create portraits that feel alive, fresh, and full of personality.

Course Outline

Week 1: Inspiration, Design & Drawing

Introduction to Joaquín Sorolla and his influence on modern portrait painting

Choosing a compelling reference photo

Drawing and transferring the portrait onto canvas

Week 2: The Power of Value

Why value is more important than color

Creating form through value relationships

Developing a strong value map for the painting

Week 3: Color, Light & Atmosphere

Understanding the relationship between color and value

Creating luminous skin tones

Using color to enhance mood and create atmosphere

Week 4: Bringing the Portrait to Life

Painting light and shadow with confidence

Brushwork inspired by Sorolla's direct and expressive approach

Week 5: Finishing with Purpose

Refining without overworking

Final adjustments to color, value, and edges

Adding expressive accents and finishing touches

Evaluating the portrait and discussing next steps for continued growth

Course Materials

Canvas or Paper

Brushes

Flats - 2, 4, 6

Filbert - 2, 4 , 6

Pointed Brush for small areas

Zorn Palette - Titanium White , Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red and Ivory Black

Please feel free to use any other colors like Viridian, Dioxide Purple, and Cool or Warm Yellows