Loosen up Your Portrait Paintings (Online Workshop) Winter 2026 w/ Jane French

February 10 to February 24 (Tuesdays), 10:00 AM to 1:00 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.

DEMO: https://youtu.be/EZEEVuDKocU

Workshop Description

A three week workshop during which you will improve your ability to loosen up your painting style as well as simplify your drawing and mark-making process. Your tutor will provide plenty of demonstrations throughout the course and give plenty of detailed, constructive feedback on your work.

Workshop Outline

Week 1 -

The focus for the first week is on value. You will carry out a number of exercises to improve your understanding of value levels - and, subsequently, your colour mixing skills.

Week 2 -

The focus in week two will be on speedy drawing! You will be shown various techniques to improve your method of quickly capturing structure, shapes, angles and line.

Week 3 -

Combine the lessons you’ve learnt in weeks one and two to produce a couple of loose, colourful portrait studies from photo references (provided).

Workshop Materials List

OIL PAINT

Titanium White

Lemon Yellow Hue

Cadmium Yellow Hue*

Yellow Ochre

Cadmium Red Hue

Permanent Rose

French Ultramarine

Cerulean Blue Hue

Magenta*

Burnt Umber

Black*

*not essential

OIL PAINTING MEDIUMS

Solvent - to clean brushes (in large pot/jar)

Thinners - to thin paint (in small pot/jar)

BRUSHES

Selection of good quality brushes:

I recommend short, flat, synthetic brushes - equivalent to 5mm, 7.5mm and 10mm

For example - https://www.rosemaryandco.com/evergreen-short-flats (1, 3 and 5)

Plus a couple of classic filbert brushes - equivalent to 7.5mm and 10mm

For example - https://www.rosemaryandco.com/oil-brushes/classic-oils/classic-filbert (3 and 5)

PAINTING SURFACE

Selection of surfaces in various sizes:

Oil Painting Paper is recommended for Weeks 1 and 2 - ranging in size from 20cm x 20cm to 30cm x 40cm

Paper/board or canvas can be used in Week 3

PALETTE

Some form of palette for use with oil paint - ie Perspex/Wood Palette or Tear off Palettes

MISCELLANEOUS

Oil painting paper or cartridge paper scraps for testing values/colours

Jars, cleaning rags/paper towels, apron...