Creative Palette- Portrait Painting in Oils

March 12 - April 9, 2025

5 weeks, Wednesdays, 6-8:30pm

Instructor: Maxine Thirteen

The goal of this class will be to paint a creative and vibrant, limited-color portrait in oils from start to finish. Throughout that process, students will focus on blending techniques, brush choices, and capturing light and shadow. Maxine will demonstrate her own process and provide tips and input to each participant throughout the classes. Students will be encouraged to choose unusual color combinations, explore interesting ways to compose their portraits, consider how color choices will affect the impact of their painting, and experiment with creative freedom and individuality as they paint.

Each student will create a unique portrait in oils on canvas using only 2 to 5 colors. Participants can choose their own combination of opaque oil paints to make up their palettes, or request suggestions from Maxine. A collection of printed images to use as references will be provided. Students are welcome to bring their own printed reference to work from if they prefer to use their own. Please keep in mind that your reference choice should translate well to minimal colors. High quality black and white images with strong lighting are the best choice for this exercise.

Skill Level: Students should have intermediate knowledge of drawing and painting. Experience in drawing/painting portraiture is recommended, and preferably some experience using oil paints specifically, though this is not required. Recommended ages: 16 and up.

See material list for required supplies and plans for each week.

Member $125 | Non-member $175

If you must cancel, please email (info@stlouisartistsguild.org) or call STLAG. A refund will be given only if cancellation occurs seven days prior to the first day of class. No exceptions. Refunds will be processed minus a $25 withdrawal fee per course registration.

St. Louis Artists Guild is committed to providing educational experiences to as many people as possible. We are pleased to offer sliding-scale scholarships to make classes and workshops more accessible to our community, adults & children. If you are interested in scholarship information please contact Kathryn Nahorski, Membership and Development Director, at knahorski@stlouisartistsguild.org