"The Close-up and Personal Watercolor Portraits" is a fun and informative class whose focus is the understanding and application of the color wheel to add depth and expression in portrait painting.  Concentration will be on the features of the face alone.

 During this class will be students will be taught how to paint small up close portraits to maximize expression and depth while keeping their colors clean and bright.

 AM day one: A review of student materials and an explanation of the application of the watercolor pigments and the correlationship between the placement of the colors on the color wheel and their application in portrait painting.

A demonstration of the pigment application and discussion of planes of the face followed by a student painting session of the applied technique.

Students will be given a few photographs and drawings to select from as their painting topic, or they may bring their own photos with distinct shadows cropped at the features. Each portrait will be either 8" X 10" or 5" X 7". We will be painting two of these small paintings at the same time to maximize the class painting time and eliminate the need for hair dryers.

PM Day One: Demonstration of the underpainting of the portrait followed by student painting.

Day Two: AM Demonstration of the second application of hues to enrich the initial application.

Day two PM: Demonstration of the accents and contrast to finish followed by student painting and a critique at 3:00 PM.

 

Recommended experience level:  all levels

Download Supply list (pdf format)

 

Nancy Oleksa

I was Born and raised outside of Youngstown, Ohio, in the small town of McDonald, and was involved in the visual arts from my earliest years.

That my artistic talents were recognized early, enabled me to develop a portfolio from which I received a full scholarship to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. There, I developed my skills and used my degree in Visual Communications to receive employment initially as a color separator and then an illustrator for the American Greetings Corporation. It was at American Greetings that I was able to diversify my abilities to include calligraphy, character development, writing and design.

In San Diego, my freelance career as an artist was realized. I became illustrator and graphic artist for the cities of Santee and El Cajon as well as lead illustrator for A La Carte Art Studios. Clients included Bank of America, Century 21, the American Dental Assoc., and many others.

After the birth of my daughter, I began to explore the world of Children's Book Illustration working for Athenaeum Books and Cricket Magazine.

As a watercolor instructor, I have taught classes for over 25 years for Palomar College, the San Diego Watercolor Society, the cities of Santee and El Cajon, Poway Adult School, Art Supply Warehouse and given many workshops through public and private organizations in Southern California.

Currently, I am a jurist, workshop instructor and painter known for her love of color and light who enjoys contributing to the creative lives of watercolorists and sharing her passion for painting.

                                                      

http://nancyoleksa.com/

Non Members Fee: $180.00 Members Fee: $155.00