Instructed Portrait Painting 6:30 – 9:15

Course Description:

This four-week class teaches students how to paint realistic portraits using various oil painting techniques. After setting our course goal, week one begins with the basics of palette set-up, paint use, and direct underpainting from our live model. Week two starts with a brief review, and then we’ll learn how to create our initial glaze to deepen color and prepare for details. Week three focuses on developing realistic details with attention to brush choice and blending techniques. While finishing details are applied, we will also focus on how each student can realize their unique vision by focusing on specific improvements in their future work.

Week One: First Layer and Palette Organization

Week Two: Review and First Glaze Layer

Week Three: Beginning Detail

Week Four: Final Detail in full-bodied Paint

Class Schedule: March 10h, 17th, 24th and 31st from 6:30 – 9:15 pm

Please note: Because we limit our student count, if you miss a class, a critique of your last work can be offered the next session. That is the benefit of small classes.

Materials List

1. Oil paint

• Red earth/flesh earth/Rose (recommended brand- Old Holland Kraplak Rose)
• Transparent red oxide
• Titanium white
• Blue black
• Yellow ochre or Indian yellow

Optional– Quinacridone Magenta, French Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Lemon Yellow

Recommended brands: Old Holland, Michael Harding, Gamblin, Raphael, Sennelier, Winsor and Newton, M. Graham

2. Brushes:

Preferably soft brushes, synthetic or animal hair

Filbert, flats, and rounds size 2-16

Optional for detail: 1 or 5/0 liner brush. Recommend brand: Da Vinci Nova

Recommended brush brands: Da Vinci black sable, Rosemary, Escoda Optimo or Escoda Perla, Raphael Kervin, Renaissance Silver

3. Surface

Surface options: stretched canvas or linen or wooden panel. Preferably primed with gesso and sanded for a smooth surface

Size: 11 x 14, 16 x 20, 18 x 24, 24 x 30

4. Medium

Galkyd/galkyd lite or linseed oil

Gamsol

Optional: Liquin fine detail

5. Miscellaneous items

Small jars to put solvent in (blick art materials has them)

Glass or wooden palette or palette paper

If using glass palette, scraper with a blade to scrape paint

Rags or paper towels

Gloves to wear while painting

Lauren Sanderfer is a graduating masters student at New York Academy of Fine Art and practices realism in oil painting focusing primarily on portrait and full figure narrative painting.

Our beautiful studio is located within the historic National Arts Club on Gramercy Park South. The 24 doorman will direct you to our space. We limit our class to 8 students. 

We are a screen-free environment!

Students are expected to focus on their work for the duration of the session. We play low classical music during class.

Discussions of student work with the teacher take place during class. 

Gender neutral restrooms are located near our room. 

Our room has a security camera for everyone’s safety.