Portrait Workshops

Whether you want to try your hand at oil portraiture for the first time or hone your advanced skills, Red Dot portrait workshops will guide you to more competence in this time-honored tradition. All the fundamentals of the genre will be covered so that students become more comfortable with this complex and nuanced pursuit. Taught by Red Dot instructor Dori DeCamillis.

Description

Beginners will explore the basics of portrait painting with oils while more experienced portraitists will expand their skillset.  Learn how to achieve a likeness, model light and shade, mix flesh tones, and apply paint. Includes slide show and lots of painting time. The level of realism achieved will be geared toward the student’s abilities and creative vision rather than on predetermined expectations. To rid students of the inherent pressures of working from an image of someone familiar, the instructor will provide reference material. Skill development is the goal, not a perfect take-away painting. Prerequisite: Must have completed the three beginner paintings in Dori DeCamillis’s regular classes

PORTRAIT 1 is the beginning workshop, with exercises that will quickly advance students' abilities in the genre.

PORTRAIT 2 is available for students who have already taken PORTRAIT 1, and will cover more detailed work on drawing the face, emphasize painting facial features, and focus on more details than PORTRAIT 1. 

Required Supplies

The following supplies can be purchased at Red Dot or in local stores or online. In addition to the usual supplies used by Red Dot painters, the workshop requires a pad of CAN-TONE canvases (provided for $10) and fresh brushes including detail sizes. Bring a fairly complete palette of non-student grade paints. The usual medium and thinner are expected. Students will be working from reference material provided by the instructor, so do not bring your own images. Zoom students can pick up a kit by appointment. Please direct questions to dori@reddotgallery.com.

Schedule

PORTRAIT 1: January 11, 2025 for regular Red Dot students who've completed the first 3 required paintings in oil painting class. Can be repeated.

PORTRAIT 2: January 25, 2025 For regular Red Dot students who've taken PORTRAIT 1. Can be repeated.

Details

One-day workshops are held at Red Dot Gallery with a cost of $180. A one hour lunch break gives students time to grab a bite at one of the many restaurants around the corner. (Or BYO sack lunch.) The few extra supplies required are listed above. Please contact Dori at dori@reddotgallery.com for questions. Workshops fill fast, so reserve your spot ahead of time. A space is considered reserved when it is paid for.

PLEASE email Dori to let her know that you’ve signed up.