Oils
Explore the richness and versatility of oil painting in a focused, practical workshop designed to develop your understanding of colour, tone and brushwork. Working from a reference photograph, you’ll learn how to build a portrait step by step, from establishing proportions and mapping the features to creating depth through light and shadow. Discover how a limited colour palette can produce harmonious, expressive results, with guidance on mixing colours and developing a confident, painterly approach. Ideal for artists with some previous drawing or painting experience who want to take their skills further.
A Rich Tradition with a Natural Twist
Oil painting has shaped the history of art for centuries, prized by artists for its depth of colour, subtle tonal transitions and ability to capture the character of a subject. From the Old Masters to contemporary portrait artists, oil paints offer remarkable flexibility, allowing colours to be layered, blended and refined to create depth, texture and expression. In this portrait painting workshop in Hampshire, you’ll explore some of these enduring techniques for yourself, gaining a deeper understanding of traditional oil painting methods while developing your own approach to portraiture in the inspiring surroundings of Meon Springs.
What to Expect from the Workshop?
Spend a day immersed in oil painting, with step-by-step guidance through the process of creating a portrait. You’ll begin by establishing the proportions and structure of the face, before building up areas of light and shade and exploring how to mix colours using a limited palette. Along the way, you’ll develop your observational skills, learn to create a convincing likeness and discover how brushwork and tonal contrasts bring a painting to life. With time to experiment and individual guidance throughout the day, you’ll gain practical techniques and a deeper understanding of portrait painting to take into your future work.
The Richness of Oil Painting
Oil painting offers a rewarding way to slow down, look more closely and immerse yourself in the creative process. Its slow-drying nature gives you time to blend colours, refine details and build layers, while its rich pigments allow for everything from subtle skin tones to bold, expressive brushwork. Learning to paint with oils can deepen your understanding of colour, light and composition, opening up new possibilities for artistic expression. Whether you’re developing your portrait painting skills or exploring a new medium, working with oils offers a chance to experiment, build confidence and discover fresh ways to bring your ideas to life.
A Word From the Artist
“Portrait painting is about so much more than capturing someone’s features. It’s about learning to really look, understanding how light and colour work together, and finding a way to bring a face to life on canvas. I love the possibilities of oil paint, from its richness of colour to the freedom it gives you to build, blend and refine your work. My aim is to help you understand the process, experiment with the techniques and develop the confidence to approach your own painting with curiosity and enjoyment.”
– [Liv Stainer], Portrait Artist
