Mastering Portraiture with Phil Went

Create compelling portraits from photographs; a practical 5-week term workshop with artist Phil Went for beginners and experienced artists.
About this Event

Weekly on Wednesdays, 5 classes: 17, 24 February, 3, 10, 17 March
10 am – 1 pm

Develop your portrait skills in this comprehensive five-session workshop designed for beginners through to experienced artists. Guided by artist Phil Went, you will develop your ability to observe, interpret and capture the unique character of a face. Build confidence in your creative decision-making while deepening your understanding of how portraits are constructed and brought to life. Each session offers an opportunity to slow down, look more carefully, and develop a stronger connection between what you see and what you create.

Through demonstrations, practical exercises, and individual guidance, working from photographic reference you will learn effective strategies for handling value, colour, structure, and likeness. You will gain a deeper understanding of portrait construction and processes, and greater confidence in observing and interpreting reference images. By the end of the course, you will have a collection of completed studies and technical skills that can be applied to your own artistic practice.

Extra info: Art materials supplied.

Bring with you: Bring 1x A3 pad of cartridge paper and you have the option to bring your favourite art materials to use in the classes.

Artist Bio:

Phil Went is a contemporary realist artist specialising in figurative works, portraits, and still-life. His preferred method of working is primarily from life under natural light. Phil worked in Information Technology before taking up studies of classical drawing and painting techniques.

Phil has studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney and has also studied classical drawing and painting techniques in Italy at the Florence Academy of Art. Phil has been a finalist in major realist drawing and painting prizes such as the Alice Bale and Kenneth Jack Memorial Award as well as being a finalist in the Percival Portrait Prize, Blue Mountains Portraits, Mudgee Portrait Prize and the National Portrait Gallery Darling Portrait Prize. Phil also has been an instructor in classical drawing and painting techniques and artistic anatomy at the ARC accredited Julian Ashton Art School.

Cost: $375 / $330 InSight Members

Please note, InSight members need to add a promo code when booking in order to access the member discount. Please call us on 4780 5410 if you are unsure of your member promo code.

Image: Phil Went