Oil Painting Course: Perfect for Beginners and Experienced Artists Alike
Paint Portraits with Confidence
From Basic Sketch to Striking Likeness
This is the recording of a three hour workshop with step by step instructions.
After receiving countless requests about bridging the gap between basic sketches and completed portraits, I'm revealing my portrait painting system in this special course.
Also, over the years, I've seen so many artists struggle with portrait painting.
Getting frustrated with proportions, wrestling with skin tones, or losing the likeness somewhere between start and finish.
I've been there too, and I know exactly how that feels and that's why I created this course.
In this course, I share the exact system I've developed from painting hundreds of portraits including commissioned portraits.
Do any of these challenges resonate with you?
- Struggling to get accurate proportions in your initial sketch?
- Mixing skin tones that look flat or unnatural?
- Losing the likeness as you add paint?
- Getting stuck with stiff, lifeless portraits?
- Feeling overwhelmed by facial features and details?
....THEN THIS IS THE COURSE FOR YOU!
This is the recording of a three hour workshop with step by step instructions.
What You Will Learn In This Course:
The Foundation
- My "Outside-In" technique that simplifies the entire portrait process
- The secrets of accurate sketching using angles and my grid system
- How to make your brush strokes expressive in a painterly manner
Colour Mastery
- Master the Zorn palette for skin tones - the Zorn palette consists of 4 colours (Titanium white, Cadmium Red or Bright Red, Yellow Ochre, Ivory Black)
- Colour mixing for any skin tone
- Tonal and temperature control for lifelike results
The Finishing Touches
- The three types of edges (Hard, Soft, Lost) and how they bring your portrait to life
- The art of capturing character and mood, not just features
- Background techniques that enhance your subject
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.
As Seen:
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level is this course for?
Whether you're just beginning 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 did you use for the painting?
My painting surface will be 8”x 10” Ampersand gessobord or any 8” x 10” primed canvas or board.
How long is the course?
I suggest you budget about 4 and a half hours to go through the course at your own pace.
Is this the same as your Expressive Portraits course?
No, it’s not the same. This is a completely different course. In this course, I use a limited Zorn palette, along with techniques not covered in the Expressive Portraits course, such as the “inside-out” technique. I also demonstrate how to use a grid for sketching, which is not used in the Expressive Portraits course. So while both focus on portraiture, the approach and techniques are different.
Got other questions?
If there are any other questions you have here that hasn't been addressed, please contact my team at support@adebanjialade.co.uk