ALLA PRIMA WITH PHOTO REFERENCES: The method I teach is classified as “alla prima” or (wet on wet), also known as “direct painting.” In this workshop, we will use reference photos of portraits. With these references, I will show you how I prepare my substrate and then how I create overall strokes to plan the face and then fill in details in a manner that captures the essence of the face, and not just the likeness.

SUPPLIES & ORGANIZATION: I will share details of my supplies and my organizational methods, as well as tips on how to draw accurately, and the fundamentals of color mixing. I will also share finishing methods that I consider the final magical moments of portrait painting.

LESS ABOUT INTUITION, MORE ABOUT ACCURACY: Though intuition is an element that each of us will use in the class, this is not a typical “intuitive” class where anything goes. It is more of a technical class where we observe deeply, measure accurately, put on strokes of paint that are as true to the colors and values of our subjects. We will discuss concepts of realism, while aiming for magical realism, where we look within to make adjustments to the paint that we transfer from our brushes to our substrates, to make real, the vision of what we are painting and how we want our painting to look. 

TECHNIQUES

• Overview of tools and materials with principles of best practices in terms of handling paints, mediums, and caring for tools
• Basic principles of color-mixing
• How to tone the board
• How to make a rough drawing of subject onto the bord
• How to start painting the values from light, medium to dark
• How to add color onto the value strokes
• How to add finishing touches
• How to transport and care for an oil painting (Note: oil paints take longer to dry than other paints. Please bring a small, shallow container like a shallow cardboard box or Tupperware to place your painting in so that it can be transported without being touched. Another option is to find an old hardcover book that is slightly larger (about an inch or two on all sides) than the bord and bring that book. I’ll show you how to gut the pages out and transform it into a carrying devise.

SKILL LEVEL: All

MEDIUM: Oil paint on gessobord

STUDENT SUPPLY LIST: For your convenience, I will provide oil medium, mineral spirits, palette paper, and all oil paints for each participant. This will help you use and understand my favorite paints before you make the investment into buying actual paints from my list. So in terms of what else you need to bring, here is the list:

• SUBJECTS: Reference photos of people’s faces stored on your smart phone or tablet (like an iPad), devises fully charged. If you have an old family photo, take a photo of that photo and store it onto your devise. Photos with high contrast (lights and darks) is recommended. If you don’t have a photo, I will have many photo references that you can use.
• SUBSTRATES: 2 or 3 Ampersand Gessobord (cradled or flat): Some of the sizes I like using are 6x6, 6x8, 8x8 and 8x10 inches. Make sure the bords do not have canvas texture or any texture to them. Just the smooth ampersand gessobords.
• KNIFE: 1 small palette knife
• PAINTBRUSHES: I use short flat brushes. They are also called “brights.” I like either the Robert Simmons Titanium or the Shiraz brushes by Rosemary & Co. 

• Robert Simmons Titanium, Bright
  • One size 1
  • Two size 4
  • One size 12

OR

• Shiraz, Bright by Rosemary & Co.
  • One size 1
  • Two size 4
  • One size 10
• EASEL: If you have a collapsible table easel (aluminum or wood) please bring it. If you don’t have an easel, bring a large roll of paper towels.
• OPTIONAL: Panel holder. Not required but very nice to have.
• MISC: Paper towels, baby wipes, apron, two small jars with lids

KIT FEE: $10 (to be paid to the instructor by cash or check at time of class): Includes paints, medium, mineral spirits, palette paper.

LOCATION: The workshop will take place at one of the art studio spaces within The Agora Borealis: a vibrant art center located in Shreveport, Louisiana.

SCHEDULE: The workshop will begin at 9:30AM and end at 4:30PM, with a lunch break from noon to 1:30PM. Details regarding the location will be emailed to each enrolled participant by the hostesses.

IMPORTANT: Due to limited class size, the spot for this class is transferable but payment is non-refundable. Please read about this policy in our Studio Policies.