Portrait Painting: Master Study

As human beings we are naturally drawn to the depiction of our fellow humans in artwork. We are also naturally finely attuned to specificity and accuracy in portraiture. The complexity of portraiture, and our sensitivity to slight difference in this field, combine with the wide range of visual effects that paint can make to bring complexity to this study.

To build a strong basis for portrait painting this class will work with selected portraits from art history using oil paints and charcoal, first drawing then making two paintings using a limited, historical color palette. Using oil paint for the paintings is recommended, but working in acrylic, or slow-drying acrylic, is also an option that we can discuss.

In order to build the exacting skill of portrait painting patience and a willingness to revise a work in progress will be important.

Prerequisite: Experience taking drawing and painting classes, such as the Beginning Drawing and Beginning Painting classes offered through the Center for Lifelong Learning will be needed.

This class may be useful for students who are exploring making art for fun or recreation, or for those with potential professional aspirations.

SUPPLIES: The following supplies or their equivalent are recommended for this class. If you have questions or concerns about purchasing supplies, please let us know prior to the class start.

Note: Bloomington Fine Art Supply, a local, independent art store located at 207 S. Rogers Street near the corner of 4^th and Rogers Streets, has a copy of this list and is a recommended resource for supplies for this class. Bloomington Fine Art Supply’s website is bfasupply.com, their phone number is 812-369-4013, and their email is bfa.supply@gmail.com.

Required
- 3 Vine or willow charcoal sticks - willow and vine charcoal are natural, irregularly shaped sticks. Uniformly shaped rectangular or square charcoal sticks are different and will not work for this class. We will discuss this in class.
- Charcoal Pencil
- White Charcoal or Pastel Pencil
- 18”x24” or 14”x17” drawing, charcoal, or sketch pad, or two single sheets of white drawing, charcoal, or pastel paper at least 14”x17”
- Kneaded eraser
- Pink eraser
- Mechanical pencil style eraser – Tombow Mono round or rectangular
- Workable fixative
- Oil Paint - Gamblin 37ml Artist Grade or Winton 37ml “Student Grade”,1 tube of each: Ivory Black; Yellow Ochre; Naphthol Red or Cadmium Red Hue, Titanium White, 37ml or 150 ml
- 2 Palette Knives: 1 good quality with a metal blade recommended - RGM #3 or #5, or a larger, broader blade size with a rounded, wide tip, + 1 basic plastic or metal trowel style
- Brushes - One of each: ¾” wide flat nylon brush, #4 or #6 filbert brush (nylon or bristle), #1 or #2 round brush (nylon or bristle)
- Odorless Mineral Spirits – 8 – 16 oz.
- Linseed Oil or Oil Painting Medium
- Palette Cups (2)
- Surfaces: two 11x14 canvas boards or stretched canvases

Optional
- Sketchbook - 9”x12” suggested
- Vinyl Eraser