For painters and viewers alike, portraits can be the most compelling of subjects. Portraiture reflects individuals and speaks of the human experience, and I'm looking forward to showing you how. In Portrait Painting, you'll learn how to tackle the creative challenges and the technical challenges involved in this subject matter.

I'll take you through a traditional approach, starting with accurate portrait drawing techniques. You'll dip into your oils to create an underpainting that reflects the lighting of your subject, and finally you'll add the essential element of color to your portrait work. Throughout the class, I'll introduce you to useful materials, techniques for dealing with your subjects, and inspirational portrait artists—all helping to round out your formal portrait training.

Add Portrait Painting Studio to stretch your skills.

Palden Hamilton is first and foremost a painter, having majored in painting for his B.F.A. from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He continued his education at the Art Students League of New York, where he trained in figure painting... get bio