Realistic Oil Portraiture: Conveying Detail and Expression

Get to know Alan Coulson, see how he became a successful portrait painter, and learn about the artists that have influenced his work along the way. Discover what is taught in the course and see the materials you need.

Start off the next unit by learning about the tools and materials you’re about to use. See why Alan prefers to take his own photos of his subject and learn his techniques for taking the ideal photo. Create individual pencil sketches of an eye, nose, mouth, and ear to work on your observational skills.

Discover the different techniques for preparing your painting surface and see Alan’s methods for tracing an image. Next, learn how to set up your space and materials, including your color palette, to begin painting.

Next, it’s time to grab your brush and start painting! Work on your line and tonal washes, see how to mix colors, and learn how to create delicate fine lines. Paint shadows, move onto mid-tones, and see how to cross-reference your image throughout the painting process. Once you have your underpainting done, add highlights and other fine details to your subject.

See how Alan decides when his portraits are complete. Explore how to gain a fresh perspective of your work to be able to give it the perfect final touches. Finish the course by learning how to preserve and display your portrait, including how to share your work on social media.