Portrait Painting: Capturing Essence and Emotion
2025 REGISTRATION OPENS FEBRUARY 22ND
USD 50.00
Master the art of portraiture by focusing on anatomy, lighting, and emotional storytelling.
Instructor: To Be Announced
Course Duration: 7.5 hours (self-paced)
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Course Language: English
Discover the art of portrait painting and learn how to bring your subjects to life on canvas. This course focuses on both technical skills and creative expression, teaching you how to capture not just the likeness of your subjects but their essence and emotions. Perfect for artists looking to elevate their portraiture with deeper meaning and artistry.
What You’ll Learn
Section 1: Introduction to Portrait Painting (30 mins)
Lecture 1.1: Welcome and Course Overview
Lecture 1.2: Understanding Portraiture: Art and Emotion
Lecture 1.3: Tools and Materials for Portrait Painting
Section 2: Foundations of Portrait Painting (1 hour)
Lecture 2.1: The Basics of Facial Anatomy and Proportions
Lecture 2.2: Sketching the Face: Key Landmarks and Guidelines
Lecture 2.3: Building a Strong Composition for Portraits
Lecture 2.4: Activity: Create a Preliminary Sketch of a Face
Section 3: Exploring Light, Shadow, and Color (1.5 hours)
Lecture 3.1: Capturing Light and Shadow: Chiaroscuro Techniques
Lecture 3.2: Understanding Skin Tones: Mixing and Layering Colors
Lecture 3.3: The Emotional Impact of Color Choices in Portraits
Lecture 3.4: Interactive Exercise: Paint a Study of Light and Shadow
Section 4: Techniques for Capturing Essence and Emotion (1.5 hours)
Lecture 4.1: Expressive Features: Eyes, Mouth, and Hands
Lecture 4.2: Conveying Emotion Through Brushstrokes and Texture
Lecture 4.3: Capturing Personality with Gesture and Pose
Lecture 4.4: Project: Paint a Portrait Focusing on Expression
Section 5: Medium-Specific Techniques (1.5 hours)
Lecture 5.1: Working with Oil Paints: Blending and Layering
Lecture 5.2: Acrylic Portrait Techniques: Fast Drying and Layering
Lecture 5.3: Watercolor Portraits: Transparency and Flow
Lecture 5.4: Activity: Create a Small Portrait Using Your Preferred Medium
Section 6: Developing Your Style (1 hour)
Lecture 6.1: Understanding Style in Portraiture: From Realism to Abstract
Lecture 6.2: Finding Inspiration and Influences for Your Work
Lecture 6.3: Exercise: Experiment with a Unique Stylistic Approach
Section 7: Finalizing and Presenting Your Portrait (1 hour)
Lecture 7.1: Refining Details and Adding Final Touches
Lecture 7.2: Preserving and Framing Your Portrait
Lecture 7.3: Final Project: Create a Full-Sized Portrait
Course Features
Downloadable Guides: Facial anatomy reference sheets and skin tone mixing charts.
Step-by-Step Demos: Watch the instructor create portraits in various styles.
Interactive Exercises: Hands-on activities to practice techniques.
Quizzes: Test your understanding of key concepts.
What You’ll NeedArt supplies: Paints, brushes, palette, and canvas or paper.
Optional: Reference photos or a live model.
Workspace with good lighting for detailed work.
Certificate of Completion
What You’ll Need
Certificate of Completion
Earn a certificate to showcase your mastery of abstract art techniques.
