Expressive Portraits: Figure Meets Abstraction (4 Week Course)
Schedule
Sat, 07 Feb, 2026 at 01:30 pm
UTC-06:00Location
330 South Avenue, Springfield, MO, United States, Missouri 65806 | Springfield, MO
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A 4-Week Painting Course: February 7th - February 28th, 2026In this four-week course, students will explore the powerful intersection of portraiture and abstraction, learning how to build emotionally rich portraits that feel embedded in their environments rather than placed on top of them.
We’ll begin by creating dynamic abstract backgrounds using expressive mark-making, color layering, and intuitive composition. From there, students will learn how to pull a portrait out of the abstraction, allowing the figure to emerge naturally from the paint—creating work that feels atmospheric, emotional, and alive.
Rather than focusing on photo-realism, this class emphasizes expression, mood, and storytelling. Students will learn how color, texture, and line can communicate feeling, personality, and energy within a portrait.
What You’ll Learn
● How to create abstract backgrounds that support (not compete with) a portrait
● Techniques for integrating a face or figure into an existing abstract surface
● Using color, value, and edges to guide the viewer’s eye
● Loosening up facial features while maintaining likeness and emotion
● Working intuitively while still maintaining strong composition
● Layering, transparency, and mark-making techniques for depth and cohesion
Who This Class Is For
This class is perfect for intermediate painters and adventurous beginners who want to loosen up, push past perfectionism, and explore a more expressive approach to portraiture. All painting styles and interpretations are welcome—this is about discovering your visual voice.
Class Details
● Dates: Saturdays, February 7–28
● Time: 1:30–3:30 PM
● Cost: $175
● Supplies: All supplies included - We will be using acrylic paint for the 4 weeks.
Why You’ll Love It
If you’ve ever felt stuck choosing between realism and abstraction, this class shows you how to let them coexist. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of expressive portrait techniques and at least one finished (or nearly finished) piece that feels bold, personal, and uniquely yours. No two portraits will look the same—and that’s the point
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Where is it happening?
330 South Avenue, Springfield, MO, United States, Missouri 65806Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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