Contemporary Portrait Painting

In this 2 hour and 30 minute class, professional artist and teacher Kristy Gordon will take you through the stages to developing a portrait painting in oils. She will demonstrate in oils but you can use acrylics and apply the same techniques.

You will learn how to tone your canvas before you begin and how to use oil paints so that they're fun and easy. Kristy will walk you through measuring techniques that will ensure that you get accurate proportions and a good structure to your portrait. 

Next you will move to color and learn how to render form to get a three dimensional look to your portrait. You'll learn how to construct the eyes, nose, mouth and ears by glazing to fine-tune the details.

Please download the attached files, which include handouts that describe the construction of the features, a supplies list, a full palette handout, as well as my source photo, which you can work from if you would like.

Upon completion of this class you will have a portrait painting which you are proud of.

The beginner will learn fundamental principles such as how to mix colors and render form modeling. The more advanced student will discover how to take their work to the next level and achieve the finish that they desire.

Check out my other classes:

Portrait Painting from a Photo: Underpainting (part 1)

Portrait Painting from a Photo: Color (part 2)

Portrait Painting with a Full Palette

Glazing and other Paint Application Techniques

Composition in Art

How to Paint a Baby in Oils

Painting the Portrait in Profile

How to Paint the Flesh Tones

Contemporary Portrait Painting

Painting the Eye

Drawing Facial Expressions: Determined Eyes