This 5-day workshop will guide you through the basics of successful portrait painting. We start with the building blocks, offering a systematic approach to the complexities of approaching this most demanding of subjects: Drawing, Tonality, Color, Composition, Values, Edges, and Bone structure. Then we move on to some of the nuances that bring a portrait to life: Ambiance, Mood, Lighting, and Setting. How do you find those abstract shapes? How about the elusive Rhythm?

We work from life with 5-8 different models, including: A Native American, a Cowboy, a Child, a young woman and at least one ‘Taos Character’! The settings will be varied - from a studio, a garden, leafy streamside, and one street sketch, as we learn to integrate the environment. We’ll also cover the proper use of a photograph to complete your portrait. Your Confidence is increasing!

One session will utilize a step-by-step process to approach a painting from start to finish. The rest of our time will involve one-on-one coaching to help diagnose and assist with any stumbling blocks you might be experiencing. The class limit of only allowing 12 participants is unusual in many workshop experiences, and can be the cornerstone of your success here at THE TAOS ART SCHOOL.

Your experience will be greatly enhanced by being situated in this most famous of original art colonies: TAOS, high in the Rocky mountains of Northern New Mexico. Our models will be unique, the landscape is breathtaking with at least one picnic by the Rio Grande, and the coffee-house discussions can be deeply nourishing.

Great food, too !

Come join us.

Class limited to 12 participants

Some knowledge of basic drawing helpful