WOW Factor: The Oil Portrait

Workshop: Portraits in Oils with Lyn Diefenbach

Description:
Do you want to create portraits that breathe life and personality? Portraits that convey presence and character? Let Lyn guide you through the process of capturing the human spirit with oils.

This workshop will focus on achieving a strong likeness while using the principles of line, tone, color, and edge to build dimensional, expressive portraits. You’ll work from your own reference photo and receive both clear demonstrations and individualized instruction at your easel.

Lyn will also show you how to use photographs as a tool for painting, rather than a limitation — helping you break free to create work with presence and “wow factor.”

 Note: This class is non-refundable unless your seat is filled from the waitlist.

Pre-Workshop Preparation:

Required Videos:

1. "What Every Artist Needs to Know"
   https://vimeo.com/452078840/9f8c1bd5ea
   A 45-minute foundational video covering Line, Value, Color, and Edge. Please watch before the workshop.

2. "Drawing the Portrait"
   A private video link will be provided two weeks prior to the workshop. It will not be available afterward, so please view it before the session begins.

Canvas Preparation:

• 1 stretched canvas, approx. 16" x 20"

• Stain the canvas with a thin wash of raw umber (oil mixed with solvent). Allow 2 days to dry.

• Pre-draw your portrait using raw umber and a fine brush or an umber pastel pencil.

Lyn will assist with any drawing corrections at the start of the workshop so you can focus on mixing and painting.

Materials List

Paints: (Winsor & Newton Artist Quality preferred, but any brand is fine)

• Burnt Umber

• Raw Umber

• Cadmium Red

• Alizarin Crimson

• Cadmium Yellow

• Yellow Ochre

• Naples Yellow

• Titanium White

• Ivory Black

• Sap Green

• Prussian Blue

Optional Additional Colors:

• Winton Soft Mixing White

• Old Holland Red Umber

• Art Spectrum Cobalt Violet

• Schmincke Flesh Tint

Brushes:

Lyn uses soft brushes, not bristle. Feel free to bring your own favorites, but here are her recommendations:

For general painting:

• Rosemary & Co Filbert Series 276 — Sizes 6, 8, 10, and 12

For drawing and fine detail:

• Rosemary & Co Pure Sable Series 91, Size 8
  OR

• Silver Renaissance 7110 Sable Cat’s Tongue, Size 8
  OR

• Any small pointed brush

Other Supplies:

• Paper towels

• Large palette (e.g., white-painted MDF, approx. 18" x 24")

• Easel

• Odourless solvent (e.g., Gamsol)

• Mixing palette knife

• Drop sheet

• Archival Classic Medium

Reference Photos:

Bring large, clear photographs with strong light/dark contrast.

• iPads or tablets are perfectly acceptable (this is Lyn’s preference)

• If printing at home, use photo-quality paper, not regular printer paper