Paint Expressive, Lifelike Portraits
From Sketch to Colour Using a Full Pallette
An Online Oil Painting Workshop with Adebanji Alade
Friday May 9th 2025, 5pm - 9pm UK time
Replay will be available and you also get two full years access to this course.
If you’re an artist who’s ever looked at your portrait paintings and thought,
“Why doesn’t this feel alive?”
You’re not alone.
It’s one of the most frustrating feelings. To put time, effort, and heart into a painting, only to step back and feel disappointed.
The features might be in the right place. The colours might be technically correct. But something essential is missing.
It lacks presence. It lacks soul. It doesn’t connect with you or the viewer, in the way you hoped it would.
The truth is, this is something nearly every portrait artist experiences at some point. It’s not a lack of talent. It’s not a lack of effort.
It’s simply that you haven’t yet been shown how to paint in a way that truly captures the subject’s energy and essence in oil.
That’s exactly what this workshop is designed to help you unlock.
This workshop is your opportunity to follow along in real time as I develop a vibrant, dynamic portrait sketch in full colour, from blank canvas to sketch to final brushstroke in oil paint.
In this workshop, you'll learn how to:
- Capture the mood and energy of a face
- Sketch freehand with confidence (no grids needed!)
- Transition effortlessly from sketch to full-colour painting
- Use tone, temperature, and juicy brushstrokes to create life and depth
- Work with a full colour palette to unlock magic in your paintings
- Get that loose, dynamic, sketchy vibe that brings your portraits to life
- Develop your eye for proportion without hit-and-miss guessing
- Understand how every brushstroke counts in telling your subject’s story
- And much more
Replay will be available and you also get two full years access to this course.
You'll leave this workshop with the ability to see portraits in a whole new light and finally understand how to bring them to life.
This oil painting workshop is for you if:
- You’re tired of tight, overworked portraits that don’t feel like the person
- You want to learn how to sketch and paint freely without rigid grids
- You crave portraits with movement, life, and expression
- You’ve been sketching for a while and want to take the leap into painting
- You want to feel excited and confident again in your art practice
- You’re ready for a proven process that actually makes painting feel joyful
Important: This workshop is not for absolute beginners who have never sketched or painted before. You should be comfortable sketching basic faces and shapes and have some basic experience mixing colours.
What's Included
- Supplies list
- Downloadable reference image
- Step by step video lesson
- Access to the course for two years
Materials Used
- Oil paints, full list will be shared after registration
- 10” x 8” board (Ampersand)
- Paint brushes (assorted sizes)
- Maroger & Liquin Impasto
Replay will be available and you also get two full years access to this course.
Hi there! I'm Adebanji Alade
As President of The Royal Institute of Oil Painters and a regular art presenter on BBC's One Show, I've spent over 40 years honing my craft and what I love most is helping others unlock their artistic potential.
Whether I'm teaching at Heatherley School of Fine Art, The Royal Academy or running workshops at the National Gallery, I've seen countless students light up when they discover how achievable portrait painting can be with the right guidance.
Through my online sketching school - The Addictive Sketchers Movement, I’ve helped hundreds of artists and thousands of artists online rediscover the joy of art.
Ready to turn your sketches into portraits that capture not just likness, but personality and soul?
Let's make it happen together.
Learn from Adebanji step-by-step!
You will learn in bite sized steps that are easy to understand and follow.
In this 4-hour live session, you'll watch an oil portrait come to life in real time, and more importantly, you'll learn exactly how to make that happen in your own work.
You’ll see how to move from a freehand sketch to bold, expressive colour without losing the energy of the moment. You'll discover how to use tone and temperature to add depth, how to avoid overworking your features, and how to keep the freshness in your marks.
What students are saying about Adebanji's painting workhops
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the workshop taking place?
The workshop will be streamed online on Youtube and is taking place on Friday 9th May at 5pm UK time (12pm NewYork time).
Is this the same as your Paint With Confidence course?
No, it isn't. This is a completely different course where I'll be using a full pallette.
What if I can't attend the live session?
You will get two full years access to the replay.`
What is your refund policy?
As this is a workshop that will be delivered in real time, all purchases are final.
What skill level is this workshop for?
Whether you're in the early stages of your portrait journey or you're an experienced artist looking to refine your technique, this workshop is designed to meet you where you are. I break down complex concepts into simple, actionable steps that work for all levels.
What size of painting surface will you be using?
My painting surface will be 8”x 10” Ampersand gessobord or any 8” x 10” primed canvas or board.
What medium will you use for this portrait?
I will be using oil paints. A full list of materials will be sent to your email as soon as you register.
Can I use other mediums for this portrait?
Of course. I will be using oil paints for this workshop, but if you aren't comfortable using oil, you can follow along using any other medium that are comfortable with.
How long will the workshop be?
Please reserve 4 hours for the workshop including a 20 mins break . We start at 5pm UK and will finish at about 9pm UK time.
Will I be able to ask questions during the workshop?
Absolutely! I will be taking questions towards the end of the workshop.
If there are any other questions you have here that hasn't been addressed, please contact my team at support@adebanjialade.co.uk
Get TWO full years to this workshop