ArtNest Weekend Studio Series – Portrait Painting for Beginner/Intermediate Painters

Steve Chisholm, a local portrait artist with years of experience in portrait painting and instructing will lead the workshop. Steve’s experience in oil painting and his passion for teaching make him the perfect guide for beginners. His approach is both supportive, cheerful, and insightful, ensuring that each participant gains confidence and skill in their artistic journey.

Website – chisholmart.com

Class Description

Join us for an immersive two-day workshop designed for beginners and intermediate artists eager to explore the art of portrait painting using oil paints. This workshop will guide you through the entire process of creating a portrait, while providing a comprehensive understanding of the techniques and materials involved. Please note that this workshop is not about portrait drawing. In order to make the most of the limited time available, the instructor will be providing each student with a “blocked in” sketch on a painting panel to work from as a starting point. All materials will be provided, students are encouraged to bring their own apron and tools that they prefer to use.

Key Learning Objectives:

· Colour Mixing and Paint Application: You will learn the fundamentals of mixing colours to achieve the desired values, hues, and chromas. Understand various paint application techniques to bring your portrait to life.

· Process from Start to Finish: Students will follow a structured approach starting with an overview of preparing the initial sketch and transferring it to the canvas or panel and then progressing through the painting on a step-by-step basis, leading to the final piece.

· Benefits and Detriments of Oil Paint: The advantages and challenges of working with oil paints, including their rich texture, long drying time, and potential health considerations will be discussed.

· Understanding Mediums and Solvents: Students will gain knowledge about different mediums and solvents used in oil painting, and how they affect the paint’s consistency and drying time.

· Studio Practice: Best practices for setting up and maintaining an efficient and inspiring studio space and for enhancing your artistic process will be discussed. You will also be briefed on best practices in terms of handling paints and solvents in order to better break away from some of the widely held fears about the safety of working in oil paints.

· Understanding Critical Review: You will learn how to critically evaluate your work and receive constructive feedback to improve your skills.

Who Should Attend: This workshop is perfect for beginners who are interested in learning about portrait painting and want to develop their skills in oil painting. No prior experience is required. This is also a great stepping stone for artists who have worked in other mediums who are interested in trying out oil paints. As all of the materials and supplies are included in the workshop fee, there is no need for students to invest in costly paints and mediums in order to try out this exciting medium.

Become a member of SPAC to participate in this workshop – Click to Apply!