The best way to learn how to paint portraits is to practice - and there is no more readily available model than yourself! In this course we will find inspiration in the self-portraits of artists that have come before us, explore creative color mixing strategies to maintain vibrancy in our palettes, learn portrait drawing strategies, and create a self portrait. The aim is to jump courageously into the subject matter, release perfectionism, feel the freedom and joy within the possibilities of color, and to spend some time in mindful self-reflection.
Throughout the workshop, you’ll receive personalized feedback and guidance to help you develop your skills and confidence. By the end of the day, you’ll have a completed self-portrait that captures your unique presence and personality.
About the Instructor: Lauren Karjala
Lauren Karjala is a figurative painter based in Newmarket, NH. Her paintings incorporate figures and symbolism to reveal dreamlike, autobiographical narratives that blur the line between memory and imagination. She received a BFA in painting from the University of New Hampshire in 2014. Lauren has been exhibited widely throughout New England, and her work has been featured in three issues of Vanity Fair UK (2022) and the I Like Your Work Podcast Catalog (2023).
Materials List:
Paint - I will be going over traditional oil paint as well as water-soluble oil paint. Traditional oil paint is thinned in odorless mineral spirits, which releases fumes that require a well-ventilated room. Water-soluble oil paint can be thinned in water, and is preferable if you will be painting for long stretches in a small or enclosed space.
Brands:
Traditional Oils: Gamblin, Windsor and Newton
Water-Soluble Oil Paint: Windsor and Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oils Recommended Palette (Small or 37ml Tubes)
***Please have these colors or similar. The rest are optional. You may also bring an introductory set of colors to the class and I will help you use what you have. Feel free to reach out with any questions
Reds:
Burnt Sienna ***
Cadmium Red (Medium or Light) ***
Quinacridone
Red Yellows:
Yellow Ochre ***
Cadmium Yellow Light (or Lemon Yellow)
Cadmium Yellow Medium***
Indian Yellow
Green:
Viridian***
Sap Green
Blue:
Ultramarine Blue***
Cerulean Blue
Purple:
Quinacridone Violet (or Magenta) ***
Dioxazine Purple ***
Neutrals:
Titanium White ***
Burnt Umber ***
IMPORTANT: I want you to choose at least 2-3 additional “fun” colors - when you look at the list of available paint colors, what non-traditional colors speak to you? Radiant Blue? Cadmium Chartreuse? Select some colors that draw your eye to incorporate into your painting and make it your own.
Hog Bristle Brushes - quality does not matter. Try to avoid the soft and synthetic style of brushes. You want them to have some tooth. Brush sets are recommended so that you can try varying sizes and shapes to see what you like best. For example, https://www.dickblick.com/items/winsor-newton-winton-hog-bristle-brushes-set-4-pkg-of-5/
Don’t go too small! We will be keeping it loose.
Palette - Paper tear off palette, 9x12 or larger, or a piece of glass painted white on the underside.
Palette Knife - medium trowel https://www.dickblick.com/items/blick-painting-knife-78-x-2-34-painting-style-30-/
Brush Cleaning Jar https://www.dickblick.com/products/silicoil-brush-cleaning-tank/
Second Glass Jar (recycled from the kitchen)
Rags or Paper Towels
Apron
Drawing implement - I recommend bringing a set of watercolor pencils to create washes with, but you can bring a regular pencil or colored pencils, or non-permanent markers.
Painting surface of your choice.Primed canvas, primed panel, or primed paper. I would recommend the size to be at least 8x10” but encourage you to go larger if you desire!
Reference: There are a few different ways to approach self-portraiture, and I encourage you to explore whatever method you feel the most comfortable with. Many traditional portraits were done from life in a mirror. So if you’d like to go the most traditional (and most challenging) route, bring a small mirror on a stand with you. Personally, I like to work from reference photos to allow myself to focus on creative color, rather than spend so much time and energy tweaking a drawing. Having a subject that doesn’t move is valuable in this way. If you take a photo and bring it with you, have fun with the light sources! Point an artificial light at one side of your face, and natural light on the other side of your face. Or even a colored lightbulb! Get creative! Please avoid toothy smiles. Trust me on this one! Your mouth closed with a slight smile will still produce a pleasant result. Or pick a different facial expression, just no visible teeth. You can bring a printed photo with you, at least 8x10”, or bring a tablet with the image loaded onto it. I usually look at reference photos from my iPad.
