The COMPLETE Program is a comprehensive, self-paced online course for artists who want to master the entire journey of creating powerful abstract-figurative art. It takes you from that first spark of an idea all the way to finished, full-scale paintings.
Inside, I share my exact process step by step. You’ll see how I nurture concepts, develop expressive grounds, and bring them to life as impactful contemporary abstract-figurative paintings:
This program is perfect if you’re ready to push your boundaries and truly embark on a journey that will change the way you see, feel, and create.
You’ll learn:
• Realist portrait and figure techniques
• Expressive abstract methods
• How to use Composition and colour to enahnce your work
• How to Keep Creative, Overcoming Creative Blocks, Source your references, and more
Move through the lessons at your own pace with LIFETIME ACCESS, while also being part of a warm, supportive global artist community.
Highlights of the Program include:
Learn head anatomy and classical techniques to create realistic drawings. Includes 2 in-depth demos and lectures (3+ hours of content).
Learn an effective and simple method to render any skin tone for any lighting condition: white, olive, brown, black. (5 in-depth demos & lectures)
Take your portrait painting to the next level. Apply your realistic skills to create powerful portraits on beautiful, textured grounds (2 full in-depth demos + lectures, 3h+ content)
Explore techniques to create abstract grounds and backgrounds in a variety of mixed media including gold leaf.
Master the creative process from start to finish: from brainstorming ideas to scaling up sketches and studies. End the program by creating a full-scale abstract-figurative painting ready to sell! (plenty of in-depth demos & references, 6h+)
Whether realistic or expressive, learn how to simplify and render hair of any colour and type!
Push the boundaries of traditional Realist Portraiture! Learn how to mount Paper on canvas and distressed grounds to use for your Portraits (4h+ in-depth demos )
Go in-depth and apply realist skills with practical, bite-sized demos on eyes, mouth, nose, and hands. (Plenty of demos, 4+ hours of content)
Stay connected, share your work, and enter the prize giveaway within our dedicated artist community.
Here's what students say:
"I love your explanation of the axes and plane shifts on a face and although I paint portraits your method shone a whole new approach to portrait painting. Thank you for explaining this in such a clear way" (Janet Moule, COMPLETE +)
"I am very grateful to have met you. You are helping me take my work to another level. I can’t wait to see where it comes out. Thank you!!" (Craig Palmer, Complete +)
"I really appreciate all the hard work and content you are putting in to your art school . I’m still on the drawing realism section as I’m savouring every morsel of information and I can’t believe how much I’ve learnt so far and how you have motivated and excited me to work hard and experiment. When I’m not doing the art I’m thinking about it !" (Sharon Blake, Complete PLUS)
"Rosso is a brilliant teacher as well as a magnificently creative artist. I was thrilled to study with her!" (Connie Abate, US)
"Many thanks for making me see and understanding painting!" (Chris Rivas, Mexico)
https://www.rossoartschool.com/p/students-gallery
The pre-recorded content is divided into 6 rich core topics — each packed with step-by-step demos, downloadable guides, and high-quality reference material for your personal practice.
In total, you’ll have access to over 60 hours of videos and lectures to support and guide your artistic journey every step of the way:
- 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)
- Colour Mixing Demo: Focus on the Dark/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 & Transferring Our Drawings (11:01)
- Before We Start: Creating a Color Study using the ZORN Palette (35:54)
- Start Painting: Blocking-in (28:57)
- Phase Two: Get 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 on 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 (2:56)
- Breaking Through Creative Blocks: Tips to Kickstart Your Imagination (13:29)
- Demo I: Warming Up with Sketching (51:57)
- Demo II: Transform Your Sketches Into Small Painting Studies (48:53)
- How to: Scale Up Your Preliminary Studies (4:01)
- APPENDIX: Composition and Alternative Methods to Unlock Creativity (20:29)
- PRACTICE AT HOME: creative exercises and assignment
- ADD-ONS: extra reference material
- Intro to the Final Part (4:08)
- Creating The Dress (23:32)
- How to: Push the Portrait Further (74:31)
- Retouching the Hair (27:27)
- Merging the Figure with the Background: The Treble-Layers Method (49:37)
- Final Touches (4:41)
- PRACTICE AT HOME: creative exercises and assignment
- APPENDIX: Brushes & Brushwork (14:15)
If you are looking for extra content, live classes & critique, have a look at these alternative Programs:
Want to try out a shorter Program ? Here your options:
Not sure which Program is right for you?
Just fill out the contact form here, and I’ll get back to you to arrange a FREE discovery session as soon as possible
Hi, I'm Rosso.
After years of painting within the limits of realism, I developed a way to merge classical skill with expressive freedom — a process that reignited my creativity and completely transformed my work and career.
Since then, my paintings have been exhibited internationally, — at the MEAM Museum in Barcelona, Mall Galleries in London, and as part of the Soho House Collection —and featured in publications such as Colossal, My Modern Met, The Artist Magazine (UK), International Artist Magazine and more.
I’ve also appeared twice on Sky Portrait Artist of the Year; benn finalist in the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and ModPortrait, and won Jackson’s Painting Prize and the Women in Art Prize.
This evolution is what I now teach inside this schol — helping artists move beyond imitation, and create work that feels authentic and resonates with a wider audience.
Find out more about me & the school here
FAQ
Are these Programs suitable for beginners?
Yes — every Program in the school is designed for all levels.
Whether you’re just starting out or already have an established practice, you’ll learn a clear, structured method that can transform the way you see, paint, and express your voice.
Is it good for acrylic painters?
Yes — the program is suitable for all mediums, including acrylics, oils, watercolors, and pastels. I personally use oils for most portrait demos, but the techniques and principles apply across all mediums — especially when it comes to color, composition, and expressive process.
What is the difference between the START and COMPLETE programs?
START focuses on the foundations of realist portraiture — from drawing to painting. We explore the core principles of classical realism and apply them to create portraits with vibrant skin tones and emotional depth. This is ideal if you want to learn to see like a painter and understand my method, regardless of your current level.
COMPLETE is a more extensive journey through my method. It introduces both realist and abstract-figurative techniques, includes demos on multiple skin tones, and offers deeper insight into composition, sketching, color, and overcoming creative blocks. The course culminates in a medium- to large-scale painting based on your own sketch and study — ready to hang or even sell.
What is the difference between Stream Only and PLUS?
Every program includes:
- Hours of pre-recorded lessons
- Downloadable PDFs and reference materials
- Lifetime access
- Membership in our private artist community
PLUS adds:
- Monthly interactive live classes
- Live demos, paint-alongs, and Q&A sessions
COACHING includes everything in PLUS, plus:
- A personalized coaching plan
- Private 1:1 Zoom sessions to review your work and shape your path as an artist
Can I enrol now and start later?
Yes! Once you enrol, you’ll have lifetime access to all pre-recorded content and materials. You can start whenever it suits you and revisit lessons as often as you like. New content added to your program will be included at no extra cost.
Do I have lifetime access?
Yes. Your enrolment includes lifetime streaming of all course content and access to future updates within your chosen program.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. We offer flexible payment plans to make the school accessible to artists worldwide. You can choose to pay in full or in 6–12 monthly instalments, starting from $85 USD/month.
Can I see past student work?
Yes. You can browse our Student Gallery here to see examples of past work created by students in the programs. It's a great way to get a feel for what’s possible and the diversity of styles within the school.
Are there any bonuses or extras included outside the main program?
Yes! As a student, you'll be entitled to exclusive perks, including:
- Discounts on in-person workshops and retreats
- Priority access to special events, art salons, and exhibitions (starting in London)
- Invitations to prize draws, behind-the-scenes content, and other community-only offers
- These bonuses are offered as part of our growing artist network and may vary throughout the year.
Still have questions? Let’s chat.
Just fill out the contact form here, and I’ll get back to you to arrange a FREE discovery session as soon as possible