Winter Semester Class: Intro to Portrait Painting

This beginner-friendly course introduces students to the fundamentals of portrait painting using acrylics. Students will learn how to draw accurate facial proportions, understand basic facial anatomy, and explore how to see and mix realistic skin tones. The course also covers colour temperature, light and shadow, and how to paint different hair textures and colours. In the later weeks, students will apply these skills to paint expressive portraits. Step by step, students will build their confidence and technique in a supportive and creative environment.

In this course, students will develop an understanding of basic facial anatomy and the fundamentals of portrait painting. They will learn how to observe and mix a wide range of realistic skin tones, explore colour temperature, and gain confidence in painting various hair textures and hair colours.

• Week 1: Understanding Facial Proportions Focus on head construction and turnarounds using the Asaro Head model.
• Week 2: Colour Observation and Mixing Develop skills in seeing and mixing accurate colours for portrait painting.
• Weeks 3–5: Various Skin Tone and Hair Texture Practice Learn how to mix various skin tones and learn how to paint various hair colours and types.
• Weeks 6–8: Painting the Face – Foundations to Finish Explore the full painting process including blocking in, underpainting, shadows, base colours, and highlights.

Patricia Claro is a passionate Filipino Canadian artist with over eight years of experience in illustration and seven years of experience as an art educator. Currently based in Ottawa, she specializes in traditional and digital mediums, specifically character design, environmental art, and both 2D/3D digital painting. Patricia holds an honours diploma in Illustration from Seneca Polytechnic, has a background in Interior Design, as well as Layout for Animation. Currently a freelance book illustrator with FriesenPress, she’s excited to share her expertise in a hands-on, engaging workshop experience for aspiring artists of all levels.

• Acrylic Paints (Golden, Holbein, Liquitex, Amsterdam, or Wallack's):

Note: Each color is essential for mixing accurate secondary and tertiary colours. Please try to use the exact shades listed, or choose colors that are as close as possible to those specified.

1. Cadmium Yellow Medium (OR Any Warm Tone Yellow)
2. Yellow Hansa Light or Cadmium Yellow Light (OR Any Cool Tone Yellow)
3. Cadmium Red Light or Vermilion (OR Any Warm Tone Red)
4. Alizarin Crimson or Quinacridone Red (OR Any Cool Tone Red)
5. Ultramarine Blue Red Shade or Ultramarine Blue Deep (OR Any Warm Tone Blue)
6. Prussian Blue or Pthalo Blue(OR Any Cool Tone Blue)
7. Mars Black or Lamp Black (OR Any Warm Tone Black or Cool Tone Black)
8. Titanium White
9. Zinc White
10. Quinacridone Magenta
11. Naples Yellow

• Acrylic Retarder
• Sharpener
• White Plastic Eraser
• Kneaded Eraser
• 2H Pencil
• Painter’s Tape
• Brushes: Filbert #2, 4, 8, Flat #2, 4, 8, and Round #2, 6 (or a Set that has a Filbert, Flat and Round)
• 9 x 12 Tape-Bound Mixed Media or Acrylic Pad
• Palette or Palette Paper (Any Size No Larger Than 9 x 12)
• 2 Small Tubs of Water (one for cleaning, one for diluting the paint)
• Paper Towel

NOTE: Please avoid using paint and brushes from dollar stores whenever possible, as the quality and color mixing accuracy can be difficult to achieve. Wallack’s in-house brand paints as well as affordable brush paints, are an affordable option that still provide reliable quality and consistency for your work.

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