Self Portraiture From Life with Phoebe Stewart Carter

Course Description

In this course students will learn how to paint a self portrait in oils entirely from life observation. Using a mirror and the ‘sight-size’ technique ,  Phoebe Stewart Carter will guide the students while they paint their own likeness in oils to the scale of life.

This course is suitable for beginner to experienced levels. Some basic drawing and painting experience will be required. Beginners will paint with a limited or ‘zorn’ palette, while more experienced painters are welcome to introduce a broader spectrum of colours to their palette.

Course Plan

Day 1: Introduction to the course and history of self portraiture, followed by a demonstration on sight size and using the mirror. Individual tutorship on drawing in charcoal throughout the day, continuing into beginning the underpainting in raw umber.

Day 2: Demonstration explaining how to move forwards from an underpainting. Individual tutorship throughout the day on applying first layers of colour and developing broad values.

Day 3: Demonstration on developing the final values and finishing the work. Individual tutorship throughout the day. Final review of the demonstration and how the paintings progressed, and discussion on painting in a different scale or setting.

Materials Required

Please click here for concise list of material recommendations and links.

Support:

Oil primed linen canvas - 40x50cm, on stretcher bars or board mounted (no acrylic primed canvas)

Mediums:

-Vine Charcoal

-Linseed Oil 

-Turpentine

-Oil Paints:

• White - Lead White or Titanium 

• Yellow Ochre 

• Cadmium Red OR non-toxic Pyrolle Red 

• English Red or Indian Red 

• Ivory Black

• Raw Umber or Burnt Umber

Equipment:

- Palette (brown or grey - no white palettes please)

- Palette Knife

- Medium cups

- Paper towel or paint rag

- Handheld Mirror

-Brushes: Recommended: Filbert Hog-Hair bristles, x2 Large x2 large/medium x2 medium x2 medium/small