Our Classical Portrait class begins by introducing students to the basic shape of the head and how to find accurate proportions. Blocking in using large bold shapes and eliminating any detail makes the beginning process much easier. Anyone can learn to draw or paint portraits...you just have to want it badly enough and don't expect Rembrandt results right away. We work from both live models and photographs which helps the student to learn to see.

Students advance at their own pace and we encourage artists to develop their own unique style. The last thing we want is to churn out clones of us. Many times we will begin with a monochromatic painting and then we focus our attention to the endless variables of skin tones and lighting, shadow patterns and modeling the form.

Our Contemporary Portrait training is weaved throughout the class to break up the tedious nature of painting a realistic, classical portrait.

With the classical portrait, the "bar has been set" for hundreds of years, yet with the contemporary portrait there are no standards. So in this part of our class we still strive for the correct anatomy and likeness but explore other ways to achieve this.

Working with palette knife, working direct to color (no under painting, working with photographs and reinterpreting them. Exploring other palettes and looking and discussing other contemporary portrait artists.
But Learning to "see" is the biggest lesson and will help the student to be a better painter in any genre. Throughout the class, students will experience live demonstrations and personal attention.

STUDENTS LEARN:
-How to block in and find proportions.
-Work from Live models
-Reinterpret photographs
-Skin tones from a Florentine Palette

-Live Demonstrations
-Personalized Instruction

CHeryl Kline, Instructor, classical portrait demonstrating phases of a portrait painting.