Portrait Painting from Model or Photo

5 Wednesday Mornings
10 am-1 pm
September 2-30
$345 includes model fees

We've all been told to paint from life, but what to do when that adorable toddler won't sit still, or the client gives you an old photo?

In this five week class, professional portrait painter Elisabeth Marsch will guide you through the ins and outs of portraiture from life and photos.

Starting with a live model, students will learn to efficiently capture visual information, impressions, and character in painted sketches. They'll learn to take compelling reference photos, avoiding common mistakes and imbuing their images with the subject's personality and presence. (Weeks 1 and 2)

Next, students will learn core skills to synthesize their reference photos and live sketches into a compelling portrait. (Week 3)

Finally, students will bring a photo reference of their choice to practice interpreting photos intelligently, extracting important information and creating a lifelike, painterly portrait without a model. (Weeks 4 and 5)

Elisabeth is an award-winning portrait painter with clients across the US and abroad. For samples of her work, visit www.MarschStudios.com

Week 1 - Paint from a live model and take photos

Week 2 - Continue the model painting from life

Week 3 - Continue the model painting from photos only

Week 4 - Students paint from their chosen photo reference

Week 5 - Continue student choice paintings