Take your portrait painting to the next level in this two-day masterclass led by acclaimed portrait artist Richard Kitson.
Designed for artists with prior experience, this workshop offers a rare opportunity to develop oil painting skills while working from a live model.
Richard Kitson is an established professional portrait artist who has exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery and with the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. For Richard, there is nothing quite like the experience of painting from a live model; this masterclass is designed for artists to engage in this practice with expert guidance.
This masterclass is not suitable for beginners. If you have not attended Richard’s Beginner’s Portraiture workshop, you must already have experience painting portraits in oils before booking.
You will work from a live model across both days, developing an alla prima portrait with focused, individual support.
Using artist-quality materials, including Michael Harding oil paints and a set of Rosemary & Co brushes (which will be yours to keep), you will begin with a quick study on oil painting paper before completing a finished portrait on a professional linen canvas board (40cm x 30cm).
Richard will demonstrate his approach to painting from the model, the importance of considered observation and close attention to colour mixing. You will receive plenty of individual guidance throughout the day.
Day One – Workshopping the Portrait
Working on oil painting paper, Richard will guide you through various exercises aimed at exploring the foundations of portrait painting with a particular focus on mixing skin tones and blocking in the structure and tonal values of the portrait.
There will also be a rotation exercise where students will move to different easels to practice working from different viewpoints. Towards the end of day one you will have the opportunity to create a preparatory drawing and/or block in your final portrait on a canvas in preparation for day two.
Day Two – Final Outcome
Having blocked in or prepared a preparatory drawing, you will have the full day to complete your final portrait with 1-1 support. Richard will demonstrate his approach to developing the portrait with more detail in order to refine the features and achieve a likeness.
Includes all materials and garden entry
For full details please see here.
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Visitor information
Address
Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1PP
01246 565300
Opening times
Chatsworth is open from mid-March to early January, and closed 24 - 26 December and 1 January. Art Pass discount is not valid from 1 November - early January during the Christmas exhibition.
The booking code for National Art Pass members is ARTFUNDCARDREQUIRED
The code must be entered in the coupon/promo code box on the billing information page, and will only work on one ticket in the basket. Each member will need to book individually to redeem the discount.
Members must present a valid Art Pass on arrival to validate their discounted entry ticket.
Exclusions and safety measures
Closed 24, 25 & 26 December & 1 January.
Opening times vary throughout the year, check the website for details.
