About the Workshop

Join us for an intensive, two-day workshop designed to demystify portrait painting by blending structural accuracy with expressive color. Working from live models, you will learn the step-by-step process of building a powerful portrait from a seasoned professional.

Day 1: Structural Foundations & The Block-In

• Anatomy & Proportions: Break down the essential landmarks and structural planes of the skull—the key to judging value shifts accurately.

• Dynamic Connections: Master neck and shoulder anatomy to ensure the head sits naturally and all physical relationships work cohesively.

• The Oil Block-In: Translate your structural knowledge directly onto the canvas, establishing accurate values and a strong foundational drawing.

Day 2: Value, Light, & Impressionist Color

• Matching Value to Color: Transition from your monochromatic underpainting into full color without losing your established values.

• Impressionist Color Theory: Learn to use vibrant, temperature-based color choices to capture the illusion of light and atmosphere.

• The Art of Likeness: Discover the "secrets" to capturing a true likeness while keeping your paint fresh and your relationships accurate.

Artist Statement

For as long as I can remember I've have been an artist who loves to tell stories.  Whether it's the piercing eyes of a flamenco dancer, a shrimp boat fisherman or a commission portrait my ultimate goal is to tell a story in a way that allows the viewer to feel completely immersed and curious about the person in the image.  Even landscapes tell stories like the atmosphere of the day.  I love a good challenge so I paint, portraits, figures and landscapes and enjoy the process of discovery along the way.  Taking my cue from the natural world, I guess that makes me a naturalist, impressionist, and a realist.