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Paint Portraits Like a Master

Merge classical techniques with your personal portrait painting style in this live, personalized course.

Instructor: Zhaoming Wu
Audience:
Fine Art Painters
For Stage(s):
Emerging, Accomplished, Professional
Medium: Oil

Not sure what stage you are? Visit our How It Works page for details.

Starts on Saturday, April 27, 2024
April 27 & 28, 2023
2 sessions, 8 hrs each, daily for 2 times (includes 1-hr lunch break)
10:00am – 6:00pm MT

$450.00

Note: Price in $USD

Out of stock

All recordings are available for 1-month after the course finishes.

High School, University, and College students get 30% off!
See FAQs at the bottom of this page for details.

Course Description

Embark on a transformative 2-day online workshop with Zhaoming Wu, delving into a time-honored oil painting technique. Focusing on portrait painting using the painterly Alla Prima approach, you’ll grasp key elements like composition, color theory, and understanding light on form.

Learn to skillfully play with values and edges, infusing mood and atmosphere into your artwork. Engage in live demonstrations by Zhaoming, receive personalized guidance, and refine your technique through constructive critiques.

Discover the secrets of creating captivating portraits with a blend of classical mastery and personal style under the mentorship of an acclaimed artist!

What You’ll Learn:

  • Traditional Alla Prima Technique: Master the art of direct, wet-on-wet painting for portraits.
  • Composition & Color Mastery: Understand the crucial interplay of composition and color in creating lifelike portraits.
  • Light & Form Understanding: Gain insights into illuminating your subjects to bring out three-dimensional form.
  • Value & Edge Management: Learn techniques to balance values and edges for mood and depth.
  • Personalized Guidance: Receive direct feedback and insights from Zhaoming Wu for individual growth in portrait painting.
    Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Zhaoming Wu’s expertise!
Supply List

Portable Easel Box, any type as long as it’s easy to set up
Wet Painting Carrier Box
Palette, any type except paper palette

Brushes

  • Good quality Flat brushes for the small to medium sizes (#0,#1, #2, #4, #6, #8, #10 and #12)
  • Three good quality synthetic brushes for the larger sizes (one inch or one and half inch)
  • Two Fan Brushes (#2)
  • Angle shape watercolor brush used for oil, #5 #8 (optional)

Canvas

  • You will need 3 canvases, 18×14 or 16×12 for portrait paintings or clothed figure painting
  • Gamsol (odorless mineral spirits) or Odorless Turpenoid (turpentine substitute)
  • Linseed Oil
  • Paper Towels

Paint
My recommended palette:

  • Titanium White
  • Cad. Yellow
  • Cad. Orange
  • Cad. Red
  • Terra Rosa
  • Alizarin Crimson
  • Burnt Sienna
  • Van Dyck Brown or Raw Umber
  • Ultramarine Blue
  • Cobalt Blue
  • Cerulean blue
Instructor Bio
Born in Guangzhou, China, Zhaoming Wu grew up during the Cultural Revolution. He began to study Chinese brush painting at the age of 8. Following high school, he became a graphic artist at an advertising agency. He credits this experience in helping him to develop substantial painting skills as well as the art of story telling. Later, he graduated from Guangzhou Academy of Fine Art where he earned a BFA in painting and was as an assistant professor there for seven years. After moving to San Francisco, California, he received his MFA in painting from the Academy of Art University where he is currently an instructor. Active for many years as both an artist and a teacher, Zhaoming has works exhibited in museums and private collections around the world.

Although he is best known for his figurative painting, using live models with flowing drapes, he is inspired by and paints the landscape. The natural elements remind him of the curves of the body and folds of the cloth. Influenced by the 19th century French painters, he describes his work as “representational, but not traditional  classical.” This technique can be seen through the combination of more modern elements and understanding of graphic design. Utilizing his knowledge of heightened colors and values, he makes powerful, conscious decisions about their application.

Recent national and international publications have highlighted his vibrant career and technique. He has been featured in major domestic art magazines such as Fine Art Today, Fine Art Connoisseur, American Art Collector, Southwest Art and Plein Air Magazine. International publications include Arte Y Libertad (Spain), Art of Watercolor (China) and Pratique des Arts, (French). He has published 11 books and was featured in 3 instructional DVDs.

Major awards and honors have been given to Zhaoming Wu. These organizations include the International Artist’s Magazine, Oil Painters of America and the National Oil and Acrylic Painter’s Society, among others. For 7 consecutive years, he was a juror of an international art contest at the European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona, Spain

COURSE FAQ

How many registrations are required for a course to start?

A minimum of 6 registrations are required.  If 6 registrations are not received by the time the course is 24 hours from starting, the course will be cancelled and all registrants will receive complete refunds.

What is the maximum number of people in a course?

This varies for each course.  The maximum number of registrations is decided by the instructor.

Can I get a refund?

Up until 72 hours before a course’s first session you can receive a complete refund. You can cancel your registration via the My Account portal, or by contacting [email protected].

After this time no refunds will be given (if you have extenuating circumstances you believe justify a refund, contact us at [email protected]).

Can I register for a course already in progress?

No. Once a course has started, no new registrations are accepted.

Where will my course be held?

All courses meet online over Zoom. You will need a device equipped with a camera and a microphone to fully participate. 

If you have not used Zoom before, learn about how to use it here.

If you don’t regularly use Zoom, we recommend you join your first session 10-15 minutes early in case your computer needs to install or update Zoom.

How do I join my course?

You will receive a welcome email from [email protected] when you register.  This email includes the Zoom link to join your course session.  You will also receive 24 hour and 2 hour reminder emails before each session, and each of these emails includes the Zoom link.  You can also access the Zoom link to join your course in your MastriusChat group.

Are the sessions recorded?

Yes, every session is recorded and are typically available 24 hours after a session ends.  All session recordings will remain available for the duration of the course, and for one month following the last session.  The recordings are viewable within the MastriusChat platform, and cannot be downloaded.

What if I miss a session?

You’ll be able to watch the session’s recording.  If you have questions the recording doesn’t address, you can ask them in the chat feed of your course’s private MastriusChat group.

What is MastriusChat?

MastriusChat is an online discussion platform.  You and your fellow course registrants will be assigned to a private MastriusChat group where you can connect and support eachother via the chat “feed”. Your group is also where you’ll access the session recordings. Other resources in your MastriusChat group include a link to join your course sessions, and a library your instructor can use to share resources.

What is a Navigator?

A Navigator is an artist who joins your course to ensure both instructor and registrants have an enjoyable experience. They support (as required) with technology, timekeeping, moderating questions, and between-session discussions on MastriusChat. The Navigator has also joined the course as participant, and just like you, they’re wanting to grow their skills and learn the material.

I’m not ready to register because I still have questions. Who do I contact?

We’d be happy to help! 

Reach out to us at [email protected] and we’ll do our best to support you.

Get the STUDENT DISCOUNT

High School, University, and College students get 30% off ANY course (non-member price).

To claim this discount:

  1. Use coupon code in checkout: student_30_off
  2. Complete your checkout
  3. 🚩Before your course starts, Mastrius Registrations will contact you and WILL REQUIRE info to verify your student status