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Contemporary Portrait Painting is unfortunately unavailable

Thankfully we have 6 other Portrait Classes for you to choose from. Check our top choices below or see all classes for more options.

Painting from Life: Alla Prima

Chelsea Classical Studio @ 526 W 26th St, New York, NY

Unlock the secrets of direct painting in this immersive course at Chelsea Classical Studio. Learn to master draftsmanship, values, and color as you work with live models. With constant demonstrations and critiques, you'll develop your skills and create stunning compositions.

(263) All levels 16 and older

Figure: Painting the Model in Costume, with a Focus on Portrait

New York School of the Arts @ 315 E 62nd St, New York, NY

Immerse yourself in the world of historical dress and evoke emotion through painting the human figure in costume. Develop your understanding of light and shadow, warm and cool colors, and create lifelike portraits with accurate and three-dimensional facial features. Join us for a transformative art experience at the New York School of the Arts.

(75) All levels 18 and older
$430

8 sessions

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Portrait Painting

New York School of the Arts @ 315 E 62nd St, New York, NY

Refine your artistic skills and learn the art of depicting the human form with the Portrait Painting course at the renowned New York School of the Arts. This class offers practical information on painting fundamentals and encourages students to explore their style. All levels are welcome to join and enhance their ability to describe the visual world.

(75) All levels 6 and older
$430

8 sessions

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Creating Portraits

New York School of the Arts @ 315 E 62nd St, New York, NY

Explore the art of capturing the human essence through drawing and painting in this comprehensive class. Discover the secrets of creating lifelike portraits as you delve into techniques such as underdrawing, anatomy, paint application, and more. Unleash your creativity and develop your unique style under the guidance of experienced instructors at the prestigious New York School of the Arts.

(75) All levels 18 and older
$430

8 sessions

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East Village Studio Night | Damien Hirst

ArtsClub @ 311 E 3rd St, New York, NY

Unleash your inner artist and create unique masterpieces inspired by Damien Hirst at this exclusive event. Experiment with our custom spin painting machine and other supplies to bring your artistic vision to life. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of contemporary art!

(26) All levels 16 and older
See all Portrait classes NYC

Contemporary Portrait Painting

  • All levels
  • 18 and older
  • $590
  • 111 Franklin St, New York, NY
  • 36 hours over 12 sessions

Start Dates (0)

  • $590
  • New York Academy of Art @ 111 Franklin St, New York, NY 10013
  • 36 hours over 12 sessions
  • There will be no class held on 04/10.
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Class Description

Description

What you'll learn in this portrait class:

This class will explore the cannon of portraiture through the eyes of the artist today, with a special focus on compositional drama, boldness in design shape and palette choice, the harmony of neutrals and the sophistication of brushstroke. 

This class will teach students practical methods for mastering the construction and anatomical proportions of the head and will familiarize students with techniques for realistically interpreting value and chroma. Through class demonstrations, one-on-one instruction, and lectures on topics such as color theory and palette history of the contemporary masters, students will come away with a deep understanding of how to paint a realistic portrait from life.

Material List

Brushes—assortment #2, #4, #6, #8, #10 bristle filberts. Size

suggestions (ruler measurements):

Filberts

  • ¼” synthetic/sable (1 or 2 ea)
  • 3/8” synthetic/sable (1 ea)
  • ½” bristle (1 or 2 ea)
  • ¾” bristle (1 ea)
Round
  • 1/8” small sable (1 ea)
  • ¼” med sable or bristle
Flat
  • ¼” synthetic/sable (1 ea)
  • ¾” bristle (1 ea)
  • 1” bristle (MUST HAVE 1 ea, or smiliar big brush)
Bright
  • ½” bristle or sable (1 or 2 ea) 
Palette Knives—one small 3/8” one medium ½”

Palette—I recommend 11”x14” glass palette rectangle from Blick/Jerry’s

etc, and Masterson Sta-Wet Palette Seal (basically a Tupperware container to put your glass palette in)
  • OR 11” x 14” wooden, hand-held palette (or something comparable) sealed w/ 2 or 3 coats of shellac or polyurethane 
  • Palette cups (2) to hold medium and solvent
Cleaners and Solvents
  • A bar of ivory soap and a container to hold the soap. 
  • Only odorless mineral spirits or OMS can be used at the Academy. I recommend ECO HOUSE, TURPENOID or GAMSOL. Do not buy gum turpentine or real mineral spirits
  • A jar to hold the OMS 
  • Linseed Oil
Oil paints—buy artist or professional grade, not student.
  • Burnt Sienna 
  • Yellow Ochre
  • Permanent Alizarin Crimson 
  • Quinacrodone Rose (Old Holland or M. Graham brand)
  • Cadmium Red Light 
  • Cadmium Orange 
  • Cadmium Yellow Light
  • Indian Yellow  
  • Viridian Green
  • Ultramarine Blue
  • Phthalo Blue 
  • Titanium White 
Extras Oil Colors
  • Brown Pink(Sennelier Brand)
  • Phthalo Green 
  • Cerulean Blue 
  • Prussian Blue 
  • Flake white (contains lead) 
Rags—cotton or Blue

shop towels

Support—either stretched canvas or gessoed panel
I recommend artist, studio, or professional grade wrapped cotton or linen canvas on stretcher bars, NOT student grade, no

canvas backed boards (no cheap canvas wrapped over cardboard)
  • Sizes of canvases: For head and shoulders, from around 16" x 20" to 20" x 24" For figures, no smaller than 18" x 24"

Refund Policy

100% refund will be issued up to seven days after the first class. After this, no refund will be issued.

MAKE-UP POLICY
Unfortunately, we do not offer makeup classes. The instructor can tell them what they missed. Most of our classes are taught atelier style. If there is a demonstration during the particular session, after the demonstration the instructor goes to each student to work with them on a one-to-one basis. During this time the instructor can work with the student who missed the previous week, talk with them and explain what to do.

Reviews of Classes at New York Academy of Art (127)

(4.6-star rating across 127 reviews)
  • Contemporary Portrait Painting

    Reviewed by Bianca C. on 8/29/2019
    Noelle was such a great teacher and gave constructive criticism in each class. My paintings improved drasticall after this corse and I'm so happy I did it! I'll certainly be taking another class here.
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Questions & Answers (1)

Get quick answers from CourseHorse and past students.

Question from MaryRita K.
Was wondering if using acrylic paints happens in this class? I have acrylic paints and was hoping to cut down on the cost of supplies. Also if all materials are brought to each class or if we can leave unfinished art + supplies in the classroom/locker/cubby/what have you. Thank you!
Answer from Brenda L. CourseHorse StaffCourseHorse Staff
Hi there! I am sorry but this is an oil painting class. Acrylic paints are not used. New York Academy of Art does have storage for paintings to dry but only limited storage for materials. Most students bring their materials for class and take them with them when they leave.
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New York Academy of Art

At the New York Academy of Art, we believe that the world of visual art is built upon the essential cornerstones of figurative drawing, painting, and sculpture. Mastering these disciplines is critical to the development of an artist's personal vision and, ultimately, to the creation of vital contemporary...

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