Explore the art of portrait painting through a mastercopy workshop inspired by the work of John Singer Sargent, one of the great portrait painters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Working from a painting by Sargent, you’ll explore his expressive brushwork, confident use of colour and remarkable ability to capture the character and presence of his sitters. Through a combination of demonstrations, practical exercises and individual guidance, you’ll develop your understanding of how to approach a mastercopy in oils while learning techniques you can bring into your own painting practice.
The workshop will cover:
-Understanding Sargent’s approach: Explore his use of colour, tone, composition and expressive mark-making.
-Mixing colour: Learn how to mix and adjust colours to capture subtle shifts in light, shade and skin tones.
-Brushwork and paint application: Experiment with the confident, varied brushstrokes that give Sargent’s portraits their energy and vitality.
-Building a portrait: Look at how to establish the underlying structure of the face, develop form and create a convincing sense of depth.
-Learning through observation: Work from a chosen Sargent painting, studying his techniques and decisions as you develop your own mastercopy.
Your tutor will guide you through the process with demonstrations and individual support, helping you look closely at Sargent’s handling of paint and understand how seemingly simple marks can describe form, light and character.
This workshop is suitable for painters who would like to develop their oil painting skills, whether you’re looking to gain confidence with portraiture or deepen your understanding of one of history’s most celebrated painters.
You’ll leave with your own interpretation of a Sargent portrait, along with new ideas and techniques to take forward into your own work.
Please note there is a £10 material charge payable on the workshop day to include paints and canvas paper. If you bring your own paints there will be a reduced charge of £4 to only cover the cost of canvas paper.
If you prefer you are welcome to bring your own canvas board (12x16inches).
Click below to see a list of items to bring with you to the workshop.
