Continuing Education

136 West 21st Street

This comprehensive course in portrait painting will explore all you need to know to make realistic, fully illuminated portraits. It is perfect for beginners and will prove of immense value to even the most experienced professional. Each week will involve painting from the model with detailed instruction. We will begin with an examination of how color can be used to create palpable flesh and three-dimensional form. Subsequent projects will build from this foundation and incorporate paint layering and underpainting techniques, as well as a look at the mysteries of pose, posture and gesture. The simple breakdown of the features-nose, eyes, mouth, ears-will enable you to quickly incorporate them into your portrait with accuracy and credibility. Examples from masters' work will be shown and discussed. Home assignments support and continue the work in class, and sometimes range to more experimental approaches to the portrait. A short video about the course and a materials list can be viewed at: johnaparks.com.
NOTE: This course is held on campus at SVA.