Portrait Painting Using Oils
3-Day Workshop
14 x 11 inches oil portrait of David painted from life by Shane McDonald in 2020
Time-lapse single-sitting portrait painting study by Shane
Portrait Painting Workshop
1st day: we'll practice working mostly from plaster cast, photos,
and finally our live model for the last hour.
2nd and
3rd days: We'll work 2-1/2 hours each day from our live male model.
Ages 12 - Adult
2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
1st DAY: Sunday, September 10, 2023
2nd DAY: Sunday, September 17, 2023
3rd DAY: Sunday, September 24, 2023
$120 (7.5 hours total)
All spots are full for this workshop as of August 21, 2023.
LIMITED TO 6 STUDENTS. Students will be need to bring:
- two 8x10 or 9x12 inches canvas boards for studies
- two 14 x 11 or 16 x 12 inches canvas, linen, or smooth wood panels for final portrait
- glass or wooden palette
- selection of 4-5 long-handled brushes (filberts, flats, and rounds) ranging in widths of 1/8th-inch to 1-inch
- metal or glass jar for Gamsol mineral spirits
- Oil colors:
- Titanium White
- Cadmium Yellow Light
- Cadmium Red Medium
- Alizarin Crimson
- Ultramarine Blue
- Cerulean Blue
- Sap Green
Agenda DAY 1
- learn general proportions of human adults and children
- use the "Andrew Loomis" method to imagine the head at different angles
- practice generalizing shapes and measuring proportion
- practice mixing colors on the palette
- practice painting eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and hair from photo references
- paint a small study of a plaster head
- draw our model using paint in the last hour
Agenda DAY 2
- work from the reference of a live model to compose a pleasing composition
- learn about different ways to light your portrait subjects
- learn ways to accurately map your drawing for accuracy
- block-in the light and shadow with "the couche," a paint layer of proper value and color
- begin to paint the subtle nuances and plane changes of the model's face surfaces
- soften edges
Agenda DAY 3
- re-wet the "couche" of the eye sockets, nostrils, ears, mouth, and jaw-line
- paint features of eyes, nose, ears, lips, and hair
Payment and Registration
Pre-payment is required to register. Want to pay by cash or check? Email Shane McDonald or leave a voicemail at (770) 218-0676 to let him know you're stopping by to pay or that the check is in the mail.
