Welcome to my art school—I'm so glad you're here!
My name is Rosso, and I’m a professional artist based in the UK. I’ve been painting for over 15 years, with a particular love (and obsession!) for portraiture. Along the way, I’ve had the honour of being a two-time finalist on Sky Portrait Artist of the Year (2019 & 2020), and received awards including the Jackson’s Painting Prize for Portraiture and the Women in Art Prize, among others.
After years of exploring Realism, I found myself drawn to mixing portraiture with elements like abstraction, bold colour, floral forms, and expressive mark-making. That’s why I often describe my style as abstract-figurative—a term broad enough to allow room for both structure and spontaneity, realism and expressive freedom.
I’ve been teaching artists from around the world for over six years now, helping them develop strong foundational skills while also encouraging experimentation and personal voice. Many have told me that learning with me has been a truly transformational experience.
Inside this school, I share everything I’ve learned: not just my techniques, but the creative mindset behind them—the “why” as much as the “how.”
If you're new to my work, I invite you to browse my website for a glimpse of my paintings.
If my style speaks to you, I’d love to have you join the school and paint alongside me.
Let’s explore, learn, and create boldly—together.
—Rosso
What You’ll Learn in my school:
🎨 How to Draw and Paint Realistic Portraits with depth and emotion
👩🏻🎨 Mix Skin Tones accurately for any complexion 🙂🏻 🙂🏽 🙂🏿
🖐️ Learn to Paint Hands, Hair, Eyes, Noses, Mouth etc with confidence
🖌️ Explore Mixed Media Techniques across different surfaces and styles
✨ Create Intricate Abstract Backgrounds that elevate your subject
🖼️ Build Unique Compositions using both reference images and imagination
Learn to balance intuition with structure
💡 Practical tips and best practices to OVERCOME CREATIVE BLOCKS and keep your creativity flowing!!
While I share and show my technique step-by-step, my teaching style encourages and stimulate PERSONAL research and development.
Instant, Life Time Access
Here's an overview of the content shared across the 3 Core Programs:
Explore each program below – START (pre-recorded only), COMPLETE (full curriculum, pre-recorded only) and COMPLETE PLUS (Full CV, pre-recorded & Live, Critique):
I also offer private coaching occasionally - here some of the options:
FAQ
What is the difference between START & COMPLETE Programs?
In the START program, we’ll cover the fundamentals of realist art, empowering you to create impactful portraits, along with my method for developing abstract backgrounds on a smaller scale.
In the COMPLETE program, I'll introduce multiple abstract and realist techniques, more topics and portrait demos on different skin tones, and we’ll create a medium to large-scale painting, based on a sketch to small study.
The COMPLETE Program offers a comprehensive look into my creative process, covering both portraiture and abstract-figurative painting!
What is the difference between Stream only and PLUS?
Every Program you enrol in gives you access to hours of pre-recorded content, downloadable PDFs and reference materials, and automatic membership in our artist community.
In the PLUS package, you'll also gain access to monthly interactive Zoom classes, featuring demos, paint-alongs, and Q&A sessions. Additionally, you’ll receive critique via email on the work you complete based on the assignments.
With the COACHING package, you get all the benefits of the COMPLETE PLUS package, and a personalized coaching plan and private one-on-one Zoom sessions to discuss your own work and develop a tailored artistic path.
Can I enrol now and start later?
YES ! Once you enroll, you'll be able to stream the pre-recorded content at your own pace, with access guaranteed for a minimum of three years. Any new content added to the program will also be available to you at no extra cost. You'll have indefinite membership in the artist community.
For the live Zoom sessions, you’ll simply need to join when scheduled. The calendar for monthly Zoom sessions will be updated regularly.
A few Testimonials...
"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, US)
"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, UK)
"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)
Brands that endorse me:
I’m Rosso, an Italian-born fine art painter living in the UK. I started with classical portraiture and over time I've ventured into blending those traditional techniques with abstract elements.
I’ve been painting professionally for over 10 years now. I have been awarded several prizes, including the Jackson’s Painting Prize for Figurative Work (2016), the WIA Women In Art First Prize, and I’ve been a finalist in top international competitions like ModPortrait and the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize.
I’ve also had the privilege of appearing on Sky’s Portrait Artist of the Year (2019/2021) and have been featured on the cover of The Artist Magazine (UK), as well as in publications like International Artist Magazine, Colossal, Create! Magazine, Artist & Illustrator, and Vogue India. My paintings have been exhibited in established institutions like the MEAM Museum in Barcelona and The Mall Galleries in London.
I’m deeply passionate about sharing my approach to contemporary figurative painting and helping fellow artists find fulfillment on their own creative paths.