Beginning and Intermediate Portrait Painting in Oils

Beginning and Intermediate Portrait Painting in Oils

Class | Available (Membership Required)

87 Mountain Road West Hartford, CT 06107 United States
Upstairs
3/31/2025-6/9/2025
1:00 PM-4:00 PM EST on Mon
$265.00
$245.00

Beginning and Intermediate Portrait Painting in Oils

Class | Available (Membership Required)

This class is for both beginners and intermediates as I will not only teach the class as a whole, but
will regularly walk around the class to help you on an individual basis. Everyone learns at different
rates and I will meet you at your level to help you improve. For beginners, we will focus on
capturing the correct angles and proportions and learn what parts of the skull and musculature to be
aware of when capturing a likeness. This will also be a good review for those who have taken my
portrait classes before. From there, we will be exploring turning the form with values and temperature, the importance of
edge quality, choosing the right background to complement the subject, and more. We will work on
multiple paintings over the course of this class.

  • No Class on May 26
  • Source:
    Please bring either a tablet with source images (and tablet mount if you have one) or several high
    quality prints. Do not use your phone for viewing your source as the screens are too small. These
    photos must have good light and shadow contrast, meaning no backlit or overcast lighting; there
    must be a clear delineation between the two. If it's a print, it must be on photo paper and as true to
    life contrast and color as possible. Anything less will make the class much more difficult and
    portraiture is difficult enough as it is. If you need assistance picking subjects, I'll be happy to help
    before the session starts or even at the beginning of class.
    Substrate:
    Please bring several gesso or oil primed canvases or canvas panels (please have allowed oil ground
    to cure for at least a week prior to class if you are priming them yourself) that are anywhere
    between 11x14 and 16x20 in size should be enough. If you don't mind spending extra, linen is
    preferred. Also, Ampersand Gessobords are quite good for portraits. If you do use canvas, make
    sure the weave isn't too coarse as that will give you trouble down the line.
    Brushes:
    I use primarily Rosemary and Co. brushes but you can use whatever is comfortable for
    you. My preferred series from R&;C are Bravura, Eclipse, Ivory, and Masters Choice. Generally,
    you & 39;ll want to have a collection of moderately stiff brushes and softer brushes in either
    flats or filberts, depending on which you usually prefer, in a variety of sizes from around
    2 up to about 8 or 10. A rigger or liner brush isn't necessary, but good to bring along if
    you have one. Here's a link to a list of my favorite brushes if you'd like to order any from
    R&C:
    https://www.rosemaryandco.com/wishlist/shared/index/code/Ks2z3r7761xsJL6j0EUVu3cYZlrzssvb
    /categoryId/all/?u=e32016

    Oil Paint:
    While I usually give freedom in color choice, I highly recommend this list for portraiture:
    Lead White and Titanium White (Just Titanium White is fine if you'd rather less toxicity)
    Naples Yellow Light
    Raw Sienna (or Yellow Ochre)
    Vermillion (or Cad Red Light)
    Transparent Red Oxide (Burnt Sienna is an ok substitute)
    Anthriquinone Red (or Alizarin Crimson)
    Quinacridone Magenta (Optional)
    Cerulean Blue (or Cobalt Blue—darker, but it works for our purposes)
    Ultramarine Blue
    Viridian (or Sap Green)
    Raw Umber (Burnt Umber is fine, too)
    Ivory Black (Optional)
    Mediums:
    Generally bring what you usually use in your studio to thin paint (like Gamsol) and
    fatten paint (like Liquin). But any thinner and “fattening” oil will be fine as long as
    they work with your paints. However, mediums aren't necessary if you usually don't use them.
    Also, please note that you MUST take all rags and paper towels home with you. DO NOT throw
    them in the trash in the schoolhouse as heat builds in the oils and could cause a fire. Dispose of
    them properly at hazardous waste when you can.
    ***Please no turpentine or mediums with strong odors as some people are sensitive/allergic***
    Other:
    -Proportional divider (a basic plastic one is fine. They run about $10-12)
    Link to the one I like:
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005QSBA2S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8
    &psc=1
    -Gray or neutral color palette
    -Rags or paper towels
    -Brush cleaner/containers
    -Any other painting materials you usually use in your studio (easels are provided)
    Contact:
    Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this course. My email is
    mlaiuppafineart@gmail.com

Mike Laiuppa

Mike is a Connecticut born and based artist who specializes in human and animal

portraiture as well as still life. While he has owned and operated NuMi Fitness, LLC since

2014, art has always been an integral part of his life. At an early age, Mike could be found

with a pencil and pad of paper in hand. In his teens, he played with oil paint, then moved

on to 2D and 3D digital art after college, dabbled in sculpting in his early forties, and finally

passed through acrylic paints only to settle back into oil painting once again. His work has

been juried into several exhibitions at The Lyme Art Association, Hudson Valley Art

Association, as well as sold at The Finer Line Gallery in Mystic, CT. Mike is also an active

member of the Portrait Society of America.