Painting Portraits and Figures in Oils
with Kristina Havens

For intermediate to advanced students

Kristina Havens joins the studio this summer to lead an intimate, intermediate-to-advanced oil painting intensive focused on the nuances of portraiture and figurative work. Bringing an MFA from Texas Christian University, Kristina offers a technical approach that emphasizes the "color story" and the deliberate preparation of the painting surface. While many local sessions focus on foundational mechanics or broad explorations, Kristina’s workshop is designed for those ready to refine their personal painting language through frequent live demonstrations and high-level individualized instruction.

Summer Schedule

Tuesdays, 10:30AM-1:30PM

June 2 - July 21, 2026

Ages 14 - Adult | up to 8 students in this class

Class Details

Students are expected to bring their own ideas, sketches, or photo references, and art materials to each weekly class meeting. It’s encouraged to work at an easel vertically or semi-vertically.

Periodically, Kristina demonstrates a technique or concept for the class to follow. She explains and demonstrates exercises enabling each student’s personal style to shine through. Topics vary based on class interests.

Topics covered through periodic class demonstrations and group exercises:
  • Oil painting techniques for portraits and figures
  • Surface preparation and priming
  • Color story and palette selection
  • Choosing the right reference material
  • Anatomy and proportion in figurative work
  • Light and shadow in oil painting
  • Layering and glazing techniques
  • Mixing and applying oil paints
  • Composition in portraiture
  • Developing personal style in oil painting

After each exercise, Kristina individually critiques students’ project progress, providing recommendations, encouraging comments, and answering questions. She sketches ideas for students struggling to visualize artwork solutions and demonstrates techniques on their work with permission.

Kristina’s classes are for intermediate to advanced students with some prior art instruction, emphasizing perceptive drawing skills for those seeking to build observational techniques in oil painting.

Kristina Havens demonstrates portrait painting

Art Materials & Palette Recommendations

Start with the materials you own based on Kristina’s recommendations. She’ll provide further instructions based on your project needs.

Oil Painting Supplies

  • Foundation pigment colors: (titanium white, cadmium yellow, cadmium red, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, etc.)
  • Brushes (various sizes, synthetic or bristle)
  • Canvas or panels (primed for oil painting)
  • Mediums (linseed oil, turpentine or odorless mineral spirits)
  • Palette knives
  • Paper towels, rags for cleaning

Kristina will provide guidance on selecting and using these materials during the class.