Online Painting Explorations: Portraiture

With the Fragments of Epic Memory exhibition as inspiration, artists will explore the theme of portraiture as history and as memory to learn a variety of painting techniques and skills. In this online course we explore the concepts of line, form, colour, light, shade, texture. Participants are invited to paint a subject of their choice drawing from personal histories or memory. We encourage you to visit the exhibition Fragments of Epic Memory.  

Gomo George is a multi-disciplinary artist and writer. His academic achievements include a B.F.A. from The University of Manitoba and a M.F.A. from the University of Western Ontario. Gomo has worked as an Art instructor, Storyteller, in schools and in community settings. Gomo has received awards from the Manitoba Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts. Gomo’s work is represented in various collections including the Canada Council Art Bank. 

Terms and Conditions of Participation in Online Courses.

Please review the Terms & Conditions for course experience optimization. 

Participants must be 18 or older. 

WEEKLY OUTLINE 

Week 1: Introduction to course and materials. Warm up drawing exercises. Review anatomy of the head, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and body; choosing your subject.
Week 2: Colour theory review. Discussion of components of colour. Constructing your portrait; a discussion on a chosen portrait with a focus on the value of underpainting. 
Week 3:  Students progress update. Discussion of tints and shade; treating your background. Discussion on your chosen portrait examining the use of light and shade.
Week 4: Finalizing your portrait: discussion on strengths and weaknesses. The final push and sharing period.

STUDENT MATERIAL LIST

Acrylic paint: Any brand of your choice (for example Amsterdam standard series, 120 ml). Essential colours: ultramarine blue, primary yellow, primary red, titanium white, and burnt umber. 

Acrylic medium (not gel). Gloss or matte. 8 or 16 oz.

Brushes for acrylic paint: Long Handle, Hog hair or synthetic fibres, Filbert shape is ideal. 

• Small Long Handle #2 or #3 (approximately ¼ inch width)  
• Medium Long Handle #4 - #6 
• Large Long Handle #10 - #12 (approximately ½ - ¾ inch width)
• And 1 large flat 2 inch chip/utility/house painters brush

Surfaces: Choose a surface for the duration of the course

Option 1: Mixed Media Pad 11 x 14 inch or 18 x 24 inch. 

OR Option 2: 2 stretched canvases or canvas panels 11 x 14 inch or 18 x 24 inch. 

Students may need to prime with gesso. (student grade gesso, 16 oz.). 

• Palette: A flat stiff surface covered with wax paper or aluminum foil, a disposable palette pad, foam or plastic plates or trays (white is ideal).
• Painting rag: cotton cloth, or paper towel
• Water container: 450ml-750ml vessel that you will not use to drink from.
• Pencil and scrap paper

Some suggested retailers for purchasing your art materials:

Aboveground Art Supplies (discount code: AGOSTUDENT10), Curry’s, DeSerres, Gwartzman’s, Michaels, or any other art supply or discount craft store.

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, delays are very possible.