Summer Portrait Intensive — High Low Art Space

Portrait Painting Intensive

5 Day Intensive

Mon - Fri 6:30-9:00 PM

Jul 28- Aug 1, 2025

WITH Maeve Cotter

all levels welcome

PRICE: $200 (Includes model fee)

class summary

Students will learn a practical and efficient process for painting oil portraits from life, with an emphasis on structural/anatomical accuracy and color relationships. The first class will comprise a full-session instructor demonstration/materials overview, giving students ample time to ask questions and observe the painting process. Day two will spent on a single session monochromatic heady study, and students will spend the remainder of the course working on a 3-session head-and-shoulders portrait from life. In-class critiques will cover composition, color, anatomy, value, texture, and paint application, providing students with a solid conceptual base for creating sensitive, dynamic portrait paintings!

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

You will not need your materials until the second class meeting- we’ll go over all the materials during the demo on the first day, and there will be time to address any questions you may have about the supply list. However, if you want to get started shopping early and have questions, feel free to send me an email

Two Acrylic Primed Cotton Canvases: 16x20”, 18x24”
Palette (I prefer the handheld wooden oval variety)
Palette Box (for transporting and storing your palette)
Palette Knife
Gamsol (small bottle)
Artist Grade Linseed Oil
Palette Cups for Linseed Oil and Gamsol
Paper Towels/Rags
Storage Box (Art Alternatives “Artist Tool Box” is my recommendation)
Brushes:(two of each) #2 Bristle Flats, #6 Bristle Filberts (one of each) #2 Synthetic Flat, #4 Bristle Flat #8 Bristle Filbert, #8 Synthetic Filbert, #6 Bristle Fan
Oil Paint: (150 ml tube) Titanium White (37 ml tubes)Yellow Ochre, Transparent Earth Orange, Cadmium Red Light, Alizarin Permanent,Ultramarine, Viridian, Burnt Umber, Ivory Black

Syllabus

Day 1- Full-session instructor demonstration from the live model, introduction to materials, Q&A

Day 2- Grisaille (umber/white) head study from life- focus on value, composition, drawing with the brush

Day 3- Day one of long pose- composition/sketch

Day 4- Day two of long pose from life using full color palette

Day 5- Day three of long pose from life using full color 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