Roger Gill BA (Hons)

On this course we will take a look at what makes a good portrait, and how to go about achieving this. As there is no "right way" to do this, we will experiment with a variety of approaches, using selections and mixes of various colours, the application of paint, layering and textures that all will form the basis for developing your portrait.

During the morning sessions we will make a short paint studies and drawings which focus on colour choices, composition, considered structure, and attempts at capturing the essence of the sitter. The afternoon sessions will be devoted to working on a more substantial portrait, bringing in ideas and discoveries from the oil sketches, and drawing session.

Throughout the course we will look at a few contemporary portrait painters, their portraits and approaches, with a view to perhaps incorporating some of these into your own paintings. There will be two different models during the course. If you have a particular person you wish to portray, you can also develop this by bringing in your own drawings, sketches and photographs.

Roger Gill is an artist and freelance tutor who works in London and who has exhibited in the UK and Europe. See www.rogergill.org.