Portraiture Painting
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£495
- Start Date(s): 9 July 2025
- Duration: Wednesday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, three days
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
Bring your portraits to life on this dynamic three-day oil painting course.
You’ll learn how to capture the likeness, personality, and essence of your subject using the expressive alla prima “wet into wet” painting technique.
Beginning with charcoal sketches from life or self-portraits, you’ll sharpen your observational skills, develop your composition, learn how to mix colours that convey depth and vibrancy, and create realistic and dynamic skin tones, ensuring your portrait captures both likeness and personality.
Whether you choose to work with a live sitter, observe yourself through a mirror or work from a photograph, this course will help you create portraits that are rich with character and energy.
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You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas. -
With a limited class size you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your painting at home. -
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices en plein and in the studio. -
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.
What you’ll study
Capture the character and spirit of people in this inspiring portraiture course, where you'll learn to create vibrant portraits in oils, guided by an experienced professional artist.
During this course, you will:
- strengthen your observational skills by working in charcoal to understand proportion and gesture
- explore techniques to arrange a compelling composition that highlights your subject’s unique personality
- learn how to take and use reference photographs effectively for continuity in your printing process
- understand how to select and paint a background that enhances your subject
- master the alla prima method to create vibrant, lifelike portraits directly on canvas
- develop your ability to mix colours for realistic and dynamic skin tones, paying attention to warm and cool colour contrasts
- gain confidence in creating expressive brushstrokes and fine details that bring your portrait to life.
By the end of the course, you’ll have completed a finished portrait in oils on canvas, rich in character and skilfully executed. Along the way, you’ll gain valuable techniques that will enhance your artistic practice and prepare you for future projects.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll study during the course:
Start with charcoal life sketches to capture proportions, gestures, and the essence of your subject. You’ll also prepare your canvas with a carefully chosen background colour to complement your portrait.
Focus on painting the base layers and midtones of your portrait using reference photographs or painting from life. This session will develop the structure, depth, and balance of your composition.
Refine your portrait by adding highlights, fine details, and expressive brushwork. You’ll complete your work and achieve a polished, professional result.
Student Work
How you’re taught
This is a practical course and the subject is underpinned by theory and demonstrations.
You’ll complete group exercises and receive one to one tuition, group discussion and feedback.
This course will be delivered in person on Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé city campus and outside in the natural landscape.
Contact hours
You will receive 15 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
This course is perfect for anyone looking to deepen their skills in portraiture, whether for personal growth, professional practice, or as a stepping stone to further creative opportunities.
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.
This course is part of the Summer Painting Studio; after this course you could progress onto the Abstract, Landscape and Oil Painting courses.
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé School of Art and Design on the City Campus.
You'll find bright painting studios in which to develop your ideas.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
Entry requirements
Level: Open to all
Entry requirement: To make the most of this course, some familiarity with basic painting techniques would be beneficial.
If you’re completely new to oil painting, we’d recommend completing the Oil Painting course at NTU or a similar introductory course elsewhere before attending.
You must be over the age of 18 in order to attend this course.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £495.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
- If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
Materials and Equipment
Your course fees include everything you need to dive right into painting—premium oil paints, quality canvases, brushes, and more, so you can focus on creating with professional equipment.
You may also wish to bring with you:
- any paints, brushes, canvas, and artists’ equipment you already have
- oil paints are provided but you can bring any coloured medium you prefer to work in, from pastels to watercolours
- cotton rags
- glass jars
- old credit card / flat plastic object for scraping
- sharp spikey tool(s) like a small skewer from the kitchen, hair grip, nails, old scissors.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
Need accommodation for a week long summer course?
Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £259 per week.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé’s city campus accommodation, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
Find out more and book your accommodation here.
How to apply
You can book your place via the NTU online store:
Browse all short courses in fine art.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 2813