Portrait Painting with a Limited Palette
Dominique Medici
$408
In this workshop, students will create portrait paintings on panel with a limited palette using a clear, repeatable four-step process: proportion, value, color, and edges. The class is structured around live demonstrations by Dominique, followed by guided student painting time and individual critiques each session.
Students will learn how to begin a painting with clear proportions, organize light and shadow to create form, mix skintones with a limited palette to achieve believable color, and use edge quality to control focus and depth. Working on toned panels helps students think in terms of mid-value, building both light and shadow into the painting.
Students will work from both photo reference and a live model, learning how to apply the same process in different situations. The emphasis is on clarity of process, strong observation, and making intentional painting decisions that lead to more convincing form and likeness.
Required Supplies
The Limited Palette: Below is my recommended materials list. Bring what you have and over time you can pick up the rest of the items from the list.
Canvas Panels and Rosemary paint brushes will be available for purchase each session.
Easel, Light and Taboret: Are provided at the studio.
Palette: Use a gray palette. You can make a gray palette by painting the back of a piece of plexiglass with gray acrylic or buy one from your local art store
- Soho Gray Palette (budget): https://amzn.to/3CuLNSj
- New Wave Gray Glass Palette (fancy): https://amzn.to/3Cu3Ur
Brushes: Any professional brushes in the following sizes are fine,
- Hog Hair or Natural Bristle (Flat and/or Filbert) #4 (2), #6 (2) #8 (1)
- Kolinsky Sable or synthetic (pointed) #4 (1)
- I use Rosemary and Co. Brushes Here is a link to my basic set: https://www.rosemaryandco.com?u=dominiquemedici
Paints: No student grade, 40ml tube or larger
- Titanium White https://amzn.to/3AtU6x5
- Cadmium Yellow Light https://amzn.to/2XAxZX
- Cadmium Red Light https://amzn.to/3nOPqyv
- Quinacridone Red https://amzn.to/3zthNUS
- Ultramarine Blue https://amzn.to/3zovmVH
- Cobalt Teal https://amzn.to/3CyPdDs
- Ivory Black https://amzn.to/3AvIdq
Occasional Colors:
- Flake White Replacement https://amzn.to/2ZaRTc9
- Yellow Ochre https://amzn.to/3nYSx6O
- Vandyck Brown https://amzn.to/2VZqUPG
Painting Surface: Use your preferred surface and prime with a neutral gray gesso unless otherwise instructed
- Masonite (hardboard), Canvas, Linen Panels, Stretched Canvas or Linen
- Size: Medici may recommend a specific sized canvas or panel
- General sizes used are: 8” x 10”, 9” x 11”, 11” x 14" or 12”x16”
- Quantity: Have 1 or 2 canvases ready for each class
- Richeson gray toned hardboard panel 11”x14” https://amzn.to/2Z5cOxd
Mediums: Any pro linseed oil my preferred is Gamblin
- Gamblin- Refined Linseed Oil 8 fl oz https://amzn.to/3EyqktF
- Gamblin- Refined Linseed Oil 32 fl oz https://amzn.to/2XCEj0E
- Winsor & Newton Liquin Fine Detail Medium, 75ml https://amzn.to/39rngAY
Brush Cleaner: Any pro OMS is good my preferred is Gamblin
- Gamblin- Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits 16 fl oz https://amzn.to/39l9eB1
- Gamblin- Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits 33.8 fl oz https://amzn.to/3Av5wkZ
- Gamblin- Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits 128 fl oz https://amzn.to/3EE9hGK
Additional Materials:
- Roll of Artists tape or painters Blue Tape Artists Tape https://amzn.to/3AnrSnI
- Binder clips and/or easel clips 2
- Two clip on metal cups for Mineral Spirits/ Gamsol and Linseed Oil https://amzn.to/3EDl1Ji
- Rags or Paper Towels https://amzn.to/3hO1kF6
- Sketchbook and Pencil (for notes and sketching)
Optional
- 3d Color wheel https://amzn.to/45odzzl
- Mahl stick/ Backscratcher (perfect for steadying your hands while painting) https://amzn.to/30H2PPD
*Above are affiliate links, they don’t cost you any extra or raise the price, but I (instructor) make a small commission
Dominique Medici
Dominique Medici is a figurative oil painter based in Seattle. She studied in London and has exhibited both nationally and internationally. Medici has received awards...