Learn to Paint Portraits in Oil with Marie Mansfield

Learn portrait painting in oils with 2023 Archibald Prize finalist and winner of the 2021 Portia Geach Memorial Award, Marie Mansfield. This painting course is for students who want to learn how to paint portraits. Marie works with each student at their own level and works to progress each student's ambitions. Students will benefit from working on tonal studies and colour mixing and the course can cater for students who wish to improve their painting skills using oils. Students will be working from their own reference material, and tutor Marie Mansfield, will be acting as a mentor offering personal critique.

Thumbnail image: Ronni Kahn AO  (founder of OzHarvest), oil on linen, 122 x 92cm, 2023 by Marie Mansfield. Finalist entry in 2023 Archibald Prize.

Note: Enrollments are by application only. Send us an email with some of your works and tutor Marie Mansfield will see where you fit best.

What students will achieve

Students will learn :

• About the anatomy and structure of the face and head
• About using light, tone and proportion in producing a likeness
• Colour mixing in oils with a limited colour palette so the colours don't get muddy
• About tone, proportion and form.

Is this course right for me?

This class is for painters with some experience. It is not suitable for beginners.

Materials List

Students will need the following:

• Surfaces: Canvas board or stretch canvas for oils (acrylic primed)
• Titanium White and Raw Umber acrylic paint for the 'mid-tone ground' to prepare the surface for painting.
• Brushes: bring a selection of brushes that you normally use, for oils a 'Long flat' synthetic is best.
• Palette and palette knife (long flexible knife with a tapered tip).
• Paper towels or rags.
• Packet of sanitising wipes
• Paint: The following is the recommended colour palette for portraiture. Vermillion Red or cadmium red, Ivory black Titanium or Zinc White, Burnt sienna. Yellow ochre.
• For monotones: Titanium White and Raw Umber in Oils

Note: Students are welcome to include other paint colours they may already own. For better results, we recommend buying 'artist quality' paints.

When using oil paints
Use odourless artist quality solvent for cleanup and diluting mediums. Solvents MUST be odourless. You will need jars with lids to store spent solvents/mediums. Your tutor will give you information on reusing and disposing of spent solvents and mediums.

About studio classes

Our class sizes are small, ensuring you receive the individual tuition you need. We have a maximum of 12 students per class.

Unless otherwise noted, prices *exclude* art materials. Click here to see a list of local art supply retailers.

To learn about our studios, amenites and how to get there, click here.

More Information

FAQs Terms & ConditionsSpecial Offers