Portrait Painting in Oils
5 DAY INTENSIVE
MON - FRI 6:30-9:00 PM
jul 20 - 24 2026
WITH CHAITANYA Varma
ALL LEVELS WELCOME
PRICE: $195 (INCLUDES MODEL FEE)
class summary
This course will cover the fundamental skills necessary for painting portraits with oil paint, with a strong emphasis on using tonal relationships to communicate form and light
Students will be working from the live model, beginning with an in depth demonstration on the first day. During the demonstration, the instructor will give an in depth explanation of the materials and techniques necessary to execute a portrait. During the remaining days students will work on executing two finished portraits. Beginning students have the option to begin with a grisaille or limited palette, and work their way up to full color
No prior experience is required! As we keep class sizes small, our instructors can cater to each student’s individual skill level. Instructor demonstrations are standard
MATERIALS
The first class will be an extended demonstration, so you won’t need to have everything right away. We can also discuss materials and cover any questions you may have on the first day of class
2 surfaces, 16x20. My recommendations below
Fredrix canvas pad
Primed MDF or hardwood panel
Filbert bristle brushes
I recommend having at least one each of sizes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
Synthetic flat brushes
I typically use a 2 and a 4
Palette, wood or glass. I use a 12x16 sheet of glass from home depot and put it in a palette box
Oil Paint Colors. We’ll discuss this further in class. Winton is a good, affordable starter brand. Only the first four pigments are absolutely necessary
Necessary Pigments
Titanium White
Cadmium Red
Yellow Ochre
Ivory Black
Also helpful
Burnt Umber
Raw Umber
Transparent Red Oxide
Permanent Alizarin Crimson
Optional others
Indian Yellow
Phthalo Green
Cadmium Yellow
Ultramarine Blue
+ Any Other Colors You Want to Bring
Odorless Mineral Spirit (Gamsol) and a brush cleaning jar of some sort
Linseed Oil (optional)
Paper Towels Or Rags
Box for Palette/Wet Painting
Syllabus
Day 1 Extended Demonstration
Day 2 First portrait — Grisaille
Day 3 First Portrait — Zorn Palette
Day 4 Second Portrait — Full Palette
Day 5 Second Portrait — Full Palette
REFUNDS
Please contact us at least 1 week before class for a full refund. Unfortunately due to our limited class sizes we cannot process refunds after this time. Transfers to other classes are usually possible
It is possible that a class is cancelled if an inadequate number of students register. In this case, tuition will be promptly refunded
absences
Anyone who must miss classes may attend up to two make-up sessions in other classes as long as space permits
ANY QUESTIONS? SHOOT US A MESSAGE!
Instructor Work
