Painting the Portrait

Explore the art of portrait painting on this creative workshop with Leeds based Teaching Artist Tommy Egan.
Whether you’re looking to develop your painting skills or try something new, this workshop offers the opportunity to explore the techniques behind creating a portrait using acrylic paints.

Working from a reference image, you’ll be guided through the process of building a portrait, learning how to observe facial features and understand the proportions that help bring a face to life. With Tommy’s guidance, you’ll explore how to approach your subject, develop your understanding of shape and form, and use colour and tone to create depth and character in your painting.

Throughout the day, you’ll have the opportunity to put these techniques into practice, working step by step to develop your own painted portrait. You’ll receive guidance and practical advice as you work, helping you build confidence in your approach and discover new ways of looking at portraiture.

This workshop provides a supportive space to experiment, develop your skills and learn more about the creative process behind painting a face. By the end of the day, you’ll have your own acrylic portrait to take home, along with new techniques and ideas to inspire your future paintings.

Come along, explore the possibilities of portraiture and discover the satisfaction of bringing your own painted portrait to life.

What to bring: You will need to bring a canvas board or canvas paper to work on, approximately A2 in size. Basic materials such as pencils, charcoal, cartridge paper, brushes and acrylics will be provided, as well as drawing boards and easels.