Portrait Painting Workshop – Painting From Photographs (Zoom Live)
More often than not, our artworks start with a piece of reference image or a picture of a loved one. However, we find that when translated onto the canvas, the painting tends to lose a zest of life. This is because, the language of painting is distinct from the language of photography. The photograph flattens, distorts and exaggerates and merely copying a photograph into a painting would thus, result in disappointment.
The problem still remains that we painters must rely on the photograph for our reference material. Imagine having your subject sitting there for hours on end, just for you to complete a painting of them.
In this 4-session workshop, working from a photograph of your own or selecting one of mine, you will learn how to translate and reconstruct a photograph into a unique work of art. Here’s a good chance for you to learn how to add your own touch to all of your paintings!
This workshop begins with learning how to reconstruct the portrait vis-à-vis (the french term for “in regards to”) the planes of the head and correcting the lighting – the main culprit for flat and lifeless portraits.
From there we will work out our composition and colour scheme in the *’pochade’ which is a small study. This then gives us three points of reference with – to embark on the painting, the drawing that defines the planar structures of the head, the *pochade and the photograph.
The workshop is open all painting mediums (oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, etc.). In which, this particular workshop, Michael will be demonstrating in oil.
*A pochade is a type of sketch used in painting. As opposed to a croquis, which is line art, a pochade captures the colors and atmosphere of a scene. Generally, pochades use a small, portable format.
This workshop is available on Zoom and in our Studio!