Creating the Conceptual Portrait - Belinda Flores-Shinshillas

The ten lessons in this class will cover the whole painting process, starting from surface choice and preparation.

Students will learn about the structure of the human face from an artist’s perspective and will be challenged to think beyond the photo reference to create a conceptual composition.

The workshop will cover the whole process of a direct painting approach method, from the brush strokes of the first layer to a final, realistic painting of a human face.

This workshop will address the formal elements of representational painting, including:

• Form
• Blocking
• Value
• Color matching
• Edges
• Proportions
• Composition

Students will create a concept for their painting that will be close to their own experiences by sketching a vibrant background using their photo reference, while applying classical and contemporary painting techniques.

Workshop Specifics

This workshop will reframe how you approach portrait painting by giving you the tools needed to take your painting to the next level.

Topics covered include:

• The structure of the human face from an artist’s perspective
• How to transfer your reference to the painting surface
• How the direction of brushstrokes impacts realism
• How to identify basic skin tones in your photo reference
• How to use texture and light to move beyond the flatness of a photo reference
• How to create a conceptual background that enhances your reference
• Knowledge of common drawbacks and what to be careful about when painting from a photo reference

Supplies:

• 1 surface for oil paint, 16 x 20 inches, panels work better
• Round brushes, sizes 1, 2, 4
• Filbert brushes, sizes 2, 4, 6
• Mop brush, sizes 1/4, 1/2
• Small triangular palette knife
• Any palette, grey glass preferred
• Paper towels
• Walnut oil to clean brushes
• 2 glass containers with caps, medium size
• 2B pencil
• 2 high quality printed photos of your portrait reference, face/torso in letter size
• See sample painting for reference