Portrait Painting Techniques / The Self Portrait

Portrait Painting Techniques - The Self Portrait / 4 Nov

If you would like to create realistic portraits, and develop and showcase your own personal style why not join Jack Ford’s paint-along class for 2 hours of fun, live on Zoom? Jack’s teaching style is casual, very informative, and easy to follow as he instructs and demonstrates his painting process, breaking it all down into logical steps.

In Week 2, work alongside Jack as he creates a self portrait. Over the 2 hour live session, you develop a series drawings using dry materials - pencil, charcoal and pastel. We will consider the composition, giving you the opportunity to experiment with your own face and explore expressions.

You’ll see that consistent progress is not about how much time you draw and paint, it’s about defining reasonable goals, laying out the plan, and sticking with it!

A 2 hour virtual session delivered via Zoom with commentary throughout and Q&As. There are 6 weekly classes in total, and no matter your skill level or your time commitment you can book as many or as few classes as you wish.

Week 1: Alla Prima Portrait

Week 2: Create a Self Portrait

Week 3: Alla Prima Self Portrait

Week 4: The Figure

Week 5: Planning your Painting

Week 6: How to Finish Your Painted Portrait

All of these techniques will help improve your portrait work, and everything else you love to paint. Best of all, you’ll have more fun and find deeper satisfaction in your own portraits because your personal voice and style will begin to emerge with each new painting — what every artist is looking for!

Click here to download the materials list for this class.

Book your place



Are you a HSoA student booking online for the first time?

What equipment will I need?

A desktop PC/Mac, laptop or tablet with an up to date internet browser (ideally Google Chrome or Firefox) and Zoom installed, a good internet connection, well lit room and your materials.


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How do I access my class?

HSoA Virtual classes are delivered using Zoom. Access details will be provided on your receipt and are available via your account dashboard. They will also be emailed to you the day before or 1 hour before your class starts.

Get set up

If you’re new to online learning, our Set Up Guide walks you through the steps to getting prepared for a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

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