Workshop Description: Alla Prima Portrait in a Day
Join us for an immersive workshop where you'll learn to create a compelling Alla Prima Portrait in just one day. Under the expert guidance of Costa, you'll observe a live model to understand how light interacts with the structures and forms of the head. Costa will walk you through the essentials of portrait painting, starting with the fundamentals. "I believe the key to successful portraiture is mastering the art of observation.” Developing strong drawing skills is one of the most essential components for creating a realistic portrait. Discover the most efficient methods for beginning a portrait, focusing on acute observation of warm and cool tones and the perception of subtle hue value changes to create the illusion of form. This workshop provides a comprehensive and informative learning experience that enhances both technical skills and artistic appreciation. Elevate your portrait skills with this unique opportunity!
Morning Session: Costa will demonstrate how to set up and maintain an orderly palette to avoid mental clutter. He will delve into the principles of color theory and complementary colors, showing how to apply them in practice. Beginning with the proportions of the head, Costa will introduce methods for measuring and seeing proportions and alignments in the initial phase of “laying in” the portrait. Emphasizing the importance of starting with basic tones, shapes, and planes before delving into smaller forms, Costa will teach a simplified form of measuring to help you avoid costly mistakes later in the process.
Afternoon Session: The focus will shift to the application of rendering and blending techniques, including wet-in-wet, dry brush, and knife painting, and how to use all these techniques simultaneously. Participants will also explore advanced painting concepts such as the use of hard and soft edges, achieving striking contrasts between lights and shadows to accentuate form, and using brush strokes to create structure and interest. Finally, you'll put it all together with further development and finishing touches.
This workshop is for artists of all levels, though previous painting experience will be helpful. Acrylic painters are also welcome to enroll (bring a slow-dry medium to extend your work time).