Level I - This class is for students with some informal familiarity with the medium.

Portrait painting is a genre of painting focused on one human subject. In this course, students will learn the foundations of portrait paintings and different strategies to plan them. Each week students will explore new anatomy and expression elements including the eyes, the lips, and more. Over the course, students will create 1-2 completed portraits.

Your instructor may assign projects or exercises for you to work on outside of class. It is recommended that you do them as assigned to get the most out of this course.

Required Supplies

Students will need to bring the following supplies to class. Not all art supplies are of the same quality. Your instructor has recommended a few brands: 

• Brushes: There are many different types of brushes each with different applications. For flexibility, you will need small rounds, small filberts, small flats, and small angle flats. Your instructor recommends purchasing a Royal and Langnickel value pack. Options can include white, taklon, gold taklon or synthetic nylon. 
• Metal palette knife of any shape. 
• Old rag or t-shirt   

Students may choose to paint with acrylics or oils. Please bring only the supplies for your chosen medium:  

Acrylic Supplies: Your instructor recommends the brands Golden, Liquitex Level 3 Professional, or Nova

• Mandatory colors: Titanium White, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Yellow (Medium), Cadmium Red, Ultramarine Blue
• Optional colors: Raw Umber, Alizarin Crimson, Phthalo Blue, Viridian Green  

Oil Supplies: Your instructor recommends the Winsor and Newton brand as the most economic. Mid/high grade recommendations are Utrecht, Rembrant, Van Gogh Brand, and Gamblin.

• Mandatory colors: Titanium White, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Yellow (Medium), Cadmium Red, Ultramarine Blue
• Optional colors: Raw Umber, Alizarin Crimson, Phthalo Blue, Viridian Green
• Mona Lisa brand odorless paint thinner
• Empty glass jar with lid