Ron Lemen
Thursdays, 6–9 PM
September 10–October 29
(8 weeks, 24 total hours of instruction)
La Jolla Studio
$330/350
Ever wanted to capture someone's essence on canvas? Our oil portrait class is where magic happens, and trust me, you do not need to be Picasso to join the fun. We will dive into solid academic foundations—proper proportions, color theory, and classical techniques that master artists have used for centuries. You will learn the rules of light and shadow, how to mix colors that actually look like skin tones, and time-tested methods for constructing believable faces. These are not just random tips—they are proven tools that will genuinely accelerate your growth as an artist.
The best part? You will have a structured foundation to build on while still keeping things enjoyable. As ancient wisdom tells us, "The master acts without striving." We will give you the academic tools—understanding facial anatomy, measuring techniques, and compositional principles—but then encourage you to apply them naturally. Some days your portrait will surprise you with its technical accuracy and beauty; other days you will laugh at the wonky nose while appreciating how much you have learned about bone structure.
Come as you are—total beginner or seasoned veteran. You will leave each session with paint under your fingernails, stories to tell, and a deeper appreciation for the human face. Plus, you might just surprise yourself with what you can create when you let go and have fun with it.
Materials: Preferred oil paints (buy directly from the DaVinci Paints website):
Titanium White
Cadmium Yellow Pale
Cadmium Yellow Orange
Cadmium Red Light
Alizarin Crimson
Red Rose Deep
Ultramarine Blue
Cerulean Blue
Viridian Green
Ivory Black
Surfaces:
Canvas pads at least 11" × 14"
Recommended sizes: 12" × 16" or 16" × 20" (size is ultimately up to you)
Brushes:
One 1/4" bristle flat
Two 1/2" bristle flat brushes
One round brush (preferably sable)
One 1/2" bristle filbert
One 1/2" bristle bright
One fan brush (preferably bristle)
Note: Use the sable brush only for drawing. All painting should be done with bristle brushes to ensure strong, opaque paint application and make mixed colors easier to see.
Paper towels:
One 4-pack or box of blue shop towels (available at Home Depot)
These are more durable and do not flake into the paint like regular paper towels.
Other supplies:
One palette knife for mixing color:
Palette paper (Reynolds Freezer Paper, available at grocery stores or online)
RGM #5 or #10
Flexible
Rounded end (to prevent damaging your palette)
One 18" × 24" canvas board to use as a palette support (available at Michael's)
Linseed oil
Oil cup
Note: No paint thinner is needed. Most painting can be done without thinner unless you are intentionally creating a specific effect.
Max students: 15
Immediately after you register, look for a confirmation email and receipt. In the week preceding the class start date, you will receive another email with more details.