Portrait Painting in Oils

7 WEEK COURSE

Wednesdays 2:30-5:00 PM

Sept 3 - Oct 15 2025

WITH Chaitanya Varma

all levels welcome

PRICE: $265 (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

Students will be working from the live model, initially using a limited palette to better understand tonal relationships, and building up to a full palette over the course of the class. The class will begin 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. The following weeks students will be working on their own paintings as the instructor provides individual advice and critique

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
  - Pthalo 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

Week 1 Extended Demonstration

Week 2 First portrait — Grisaille

Week 3 First Portrait — Zorn Palette

Week 4 Second Portrait — Full Palette

Week 5 Second Portrait — Full Palette

Week 6 Third Portrait — Full Palette

Week 7 Third 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

Click here to sign up!

click here to sign up!