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Fine Arts · Year 4 · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Portrait Paintings

This course trains students in the art of portrait painting through anatomical study, observation, light behavior, color mixing, brushwork, and expressive rendering in oil or acrylic. Students develop accuracy, expression, and style while painting from life and photographic references.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Apply anatomical knowledge to accurate portrait structure.
  2. Mix realistic skin tones using hue, value, and temperature control.
  3. Render light, shadow, edges, and textures in portrait painting.
  4. Develop expressive and stylistic approaches to painted portraits.
  5. Produce finished portraits demonstrating proportion, likeness, and artistic intent.
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01Introduction to Portrait Painting
  2. 02Anatomy of the Head: Structure & Landmarks
  3. 03Facial Proportions & Mapping Features
  4. 04Observational Drawing for Portrait Prep
  5. 05Blocking-In Shapes, Values & Planes
  6. 06Skin Tone Mixing: Hue, Value & Temperature
  7. 07Light, Shadow & Form Modeling
  8. 08 · MidtermPainting Facial Features: Eyes, Nose, Mouth, Ears
  9. 09Hair, Texture & Edge Control
  10. 10Color Harmony, Mood & Expression
  11. 11Working from Life vs Photographic Reference
  12. 12Layering, Glazing & Final Refinement
  13. 13Background Design & Visual Balance
  14. 14Exploring Style: Realism to Expressive Portraiture
  15. 15Critique Sessions & Personal Development
  16. 16Final Portrait Painting Project

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Students will create a fully rendered portrait demonstrating structure, likeness, and expressive technique.

Deliverables

  1. One completed portrait painting in oil or acrylic.
  2. Preparatory drawings, value studies & color tests.
  3. Presentation explaining artistic decisions, process & stylistic approach.

How it’s judged

§ 04 Watch first
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