Alla Prima Portrait Painting (Achieving a Likeness) - Session A

Alla Prima Portrait Painting (Achieving a Likeness) - Session A

Adult Course | Available

200 Grant St Denver, CO 80203 United States

202 Atelier

Intermediate, Advanced

6/1/2024-7/6/2024

1:00 PM-4:00 PM MDT on Sat

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$387.00

$328.95

This class explores painting the portrait from life. Students will learn a direct painting method for capturing the light and form of the head as well as a convincing likeness of the model. Using a direct painting approach, students will learn to quickly and accurately establish the gesture, shapes, and structures of the human head. Perspective, as well as basic anatomical landmarks will also be taught to further supplement observation with knowledge to inform mark making and sculptural awareness. Keeping a simple palette, this method will also build upon itself towards longer studies and projects. 

  • *Students should have taken Fundamentals of Drawing or Atmospheric Portraiture as a prerequisite.

  • Supplies:

    Palette - wooden rectangular palette - 11x14 or larger. Must be stained a dark neutral brown and SEALED. NO palette paper. Glass is acceptable.

     

    Brushes - 2 of each of the following: Bristle Filberts sizes #4,#3,#2,#1. Blick's Masterstroke and Silver Grand Prix are recommended brands.

     

    Palette Knife

     

    Rags - Viva paper towels recommended

     

    Solvent - Odorless Mineral Spirits in a SEALED jar

     

    Medium - 1 part stand oil to 2 parts solvent

     

    Canvas: you will need a 16x20 canvas or canvas panel each class, toned a neutral gray. For canvas toning procedure, see below. This will also be demonstrated the first day: Take Meininger’s neutral gray acrylic paint and squeeze about a tablespoon of paint into a mixing bowl. Stir in a little water and thin until you get the consistency of melted ice cream. Take a wide chip brush to scrub this mixture onto your canvas. Once covered, carefully drag the brush from one end of the canvas to another to make even, parallel strokes. Let dry.

     

    Oil Paints: Professional Grade paint required. I recommend Winsor Newton, Utrecht, and Rembrandt brands. You'll need the following colors: Titanium White, Burnt Umber, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Ultramarine Blue, Ivory Black

     

Alexander Soukas' serious training in the fine arts began upon attending the Walnut Hill School for the arts, one of five high schools in the United States dedicated to rigorous training in music, ballet, theatre, writing, and visual arts. Unsatisfied with his studies, and desiring to pursue a career as an artist, he began homeschooling as a way of earning his diploma while undertaking an apprenticeship with realist figure painter Jason Polins. Soukas studied traditional painting and drawing in Boston with Polins for 4 years, where he now visits as a guest instructor at Polins' atelier, The Boston School of Painting. Years later, Soukas studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in a coordinated program with the University of Pennsylvania for a year before leaving to seek a more rigorous classical training at Studio Incamminati. While there, he worked for and studied under Nelson Shanks as one of his last apprentices. https://www.alexandersoukas.com/