Alla Prima Head Painting: From Master Studies to Painting From Life

No Class: 5/25/26 (Memorial Day)

In this class, students will learn to paint the human head in oils using an alla prima approach. The first four weeks focus on essential oil painting principles through selected master studies, helping students internalize core techniques while learning from master painters. In the remaining six weeks, we paint from live models, applying structural and painterly concepts in real time. Grounded in an understanding of the planes of the head and their relationship to value and color, students will create portraits that are structurally solid yet loose and expressive. Class includes demonstrations, lectures, and individual feedback. All levels welcome (some drawing experience recommended).

Topics include:

• The 5-minute lay-in - Dynamic vision vs. tunnel vision
• Planes of the head (value & color)
• The global light effect - Color theory & color dynamics
• Value and color relationships
• Color fields
• Value compression & color shifts
• Massing vs. describing
• Loosening up