Portrait Painting B

Portrait Painting B

Adult Course | Registration closed 1/24/2025

200 Grant St Denver, CO 80203 United States
108
Beginner, Intermediate
1/24/2025-2/28/2025
1:00 PM-4:00 PM MST on Fri
$387.00
$328.95

Portrait Painting B

Adult Course | Registration closed 1/24/2025

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.

Week 1: Gesture - Capturing the Head as a Whole
Week 2: Light and Shadow Study in Grisaille
Week 3: Introduction to Flesh tones
Week 4: Introduction to Form
Week 5: Long Pose day 1
Week 6: Long Pose day 2

  • Painting Supplies

    Substrates
    Stretched Cotton duck Canvas. 16x20 or larger for figure. Alternatively, gessoboard or masonite panels are acceptable. All substrates must be toned a neutral gray. See toning procedure below for more information.

    Brushes
    Hog Hair Bristle Brushes, Filberts, x2 ni sizes 4,3,2
    Synthetic or natural hair, Rounds, x2 in sizes 4,3,2
    Blick Master Stroke and Princeton Snap brands recommended

    Solvent
    Odorless mineral spirits in a brush-washer or jar with sealable lid.

    Medium
    2 parts odorless mineral spirits to 1 part stand oil in a sealable jar.

    Rags
    Home depot shop towels recommended, or viva paper towels.

    Palette
    Awooden palette 9x12 or larger, stained a neutral brown and sealed is preferred. New Wave brand is recommended. Glass is
    also acceptable. Palette paper is unacceptable.

    Canvas Toning Procedure
    Using a middle tone neutral gray acrylic paint (Meininger's sells a ready made tube of this color) Mix the paint in a shallow bowl or pie tin with enough water to get the consistency of melted ice cream. Once mixed, take a medium sized chip brush and brush the
    tone onto the canvas or panel to cover the surface. Once coated, lightly drag the brush from top to bottom in long parallel strokes to create a uniform and even surface. Let dry for 20 minutes.

     Oil Paints
    l utilize different colors with students depending on the course and goal of study.
    For example, for introductory courses to the figure, simpler limited palettes are used in comparison to a color study course where a broader range of pigments is used to get a comprehensive overview of color. Below are lists of the pigments used for various courses of study.

    All students are required to use professional grade artists colors - student grade paint has so much filler in it, you will actually save money by purchasing quality paint because you will use less of it. I recommend Winsor &Newton as a solid, quality product as a reasonable price, but you're welcome to use whatever brands are accessible to you. Colors are laid out at the top of the palette from left to right:

    Limited Palette for Figure and Portrait:
    • Titanium White
    • Burnt Umber
    • Burnt Sienna
    • Permanent Alizarin Crimson • Cadmium Red
    • Cadmium Orange
    • Cadmium Yellow • Viridian
    • Ultramarine Blue • Ivory Black

    Color Study Palette:
    • Titanium White
    • Burnt Umber
    • Permanent Alizarin Crimson • Permanent Rose
    • Perylene Red
    • Cadmium Red Deep • Cadmium Red
    • Cadmium Scarlet
    • Cadmium Orange
    • Indian Yellow
    • Cadmium Yellow
    • Cadmium Yellow Pale • Cadmium Green Pale
    • Permanent Green Light
    • Pthalo Turquoise • Sevres Blue
    • Ultramarine Blue • Dioxazine Purple
Alexander Soukas

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/