In this 6-month program, you'll master a variety of portrait techniques for creating stunning realist portraits (both drawing and painting). You'll also explore methods for creating textured, abstract backgrounds and learn how composition and color shape the narrative of your work. By the end, you'll be ready to create a medium- or large-scale abstract-figurative painting, from sketch to finished piece.
This program offers an in-depth look into my creative process, blending portraiture and abstract-figurative painting in a way that will transform your artistic approach!
Here's a preview of some of the content:
Learn the fundamentals of head anatomy and classical drawing techniques to develop realistic portraits in pencil (multiple demos, 4+ hour)
Create expressive portraits in charcoal using different approaches. PLUS: create a distressed ground by mounting paper on a panel to use as the base (6+ hours demos)
5 in-depth demos to learn an effective, simple method to how to mix skin tones for any complexion and lighting condition! Brown, Pale, Black etc.
Bring your drawings to life! Use all the skills learned to create realistic portraits that capture the essence of your sitter. Lectures and Full demos (8+ hours)
Learn a series of techniques to create beautiful grounds and backgrounds for your work using mixed media, including gold and metal leaf.
Learn how to transform your ideas and sketches into beautiful contemporary works of art. Work from both imagination and reference. Hours of inspiring demos that guide you step by step, from doodling to varnishing and selling your final piece(s).
Plenty of bite-sized and full-length demos to dive deeper into topics such as eyes, mouth, nose, and hands, following basic anatomy and classical principles! (5+ hours of content)
See 'hair' as any subject matter—learn about materiality, base color, and rhythm, and develop flowing, creative or realist hair of all types.
From painting hands to exploring different painting techniques (e.g., glazing), these monthly extracurricular topics last 3 hours and include pre- and post-recordings, along with extra resources.
Browse the full course content here:
- Chapter Overview (0:55)
- An Effective Method to Mix Any Skin Colour (3:41)
- Color Mixing Demo: How to Organise Your Palette (11:14)
- Color Mixing Demo: Focus On the White/Pale Skin (15:21)
- Color Mixing Demo: Focus on the Olive/ Light Brown Skin (13:31)
- Color Mixing Demo: Focus on the Dark Brown/Black Skin (11:04)
- Concluding Notes (1:15)
- PRACTICE AT HOME: creative exercises and assignment
- A Method to Unleash Creativity (1:49)
- Priming Your Surfaces (2:43)
- Creating an Abstract Ground for a Medium Painting (1:28)
- Toning & Applying Gold Leaf (4:11)
- Spray Painting, Stencilling & Layering (9:15)
- Tips and Best Practices to Keep Inspired! (3:55)
- PRACTICE AT HOME: creative exercises and assignment
- Overview of the lesson (1:12)
- Before We Start: Surface, Composition and Transferring Our Drawings (11:01)
- Before We Start: Creating a Colour Study using the ZORN palette (35:54)
- Start Painting: Blocking-in (28:57)
- Phase Two: Getting the Likeness Right (29:09)
- Pushing the Portrait Further: Finer Details and Rendering (28:58)
- Finishing Touches: Adding an Abstract Background & Varnishing Your Work (21:28)
- APPENDIX : a review of Oil Paint MEDIUMS (8:00)
- PRACTICE AT HOME: creative exercises and assignment
- Before we Start: Preliminary Thoughts & Composition (3:54)
- Before We Start: Mixing Skin Tones for Light Brown/Olive Complexion (17:51)
- Let's Start Painting: Blocking-in (32:36)
- Painting Phase Two: Modelling (51:55)
- Painting Phase III: From Modelling to Rendering (71:33)
- Painting Phase 4: Chest, Dress, Hair (37:46)
- Final touches & Backgrounds (6:08)
- PRACTICE AT HOME: creative exercises and assignment
- Chapter Overview
- An Insider’s View of My Creative Process
- Plan Your Process: Brainstorming, Doodling, Sourcing References and Sketching
- Demo I: Sketch Using Images and Imagination
- Demo II: Transform Your Sketches Into Small Painting Studies
- Demo III: Scale Up Your Studies Into A Large Abstract-Figurative Painting
- PRACTICE AT HOME: creative exercises and assignment
Looking for stream-only content? Check the START Programs -
lifetime access to full pre-recorded content (6-month), or reduced content (3-month), no live sessions:
Are you thinking of one-on-one, private coaching?
The PREMIUM Programs give you full access to all the school content in addition to private monthly ZOOM classes and a personal mentoring plan:
Italian-born Rosso is an acclaimed professional fine art painter residing in the UK. Her innovative artwork merges traditional painting methods with abstract expressions to create contemporary portraits that have captivated audiences internationally. Beginning her artistic journey at the age of 30, Rosso made the bold leap from a previous advertising career to pursue her passion for arts. A product of intensive self-directed learning, Rosso honed her craft through part-time studies at the London Atelier of Representational Art (LARA) and invaluable mentorship from artists who greatly influenced her technique.
Rosso's dedication to her craft is evident not only in her award-winning pieces but also in her approach to teaching. Translating her extensive experience into the classroom, she fosters an environment rich in practical skill-building and innovative thinking. With an undying passion for painting and a conviction for continuous learning, Rosso engages students with the same enthusiasm that fuels her creativity in the studio. Her success stories span from emerging artists to seasoned professionals who have all benefited from her dynamic instructional approach and her deep connection to the art community. Through her vibrant teaching methods, Rosso's goal is to inspire and guide her students to explore their unique artistic voices and achieve excellence in their creative pursuits.