Portrait Painting Intensive with Rogier Willems

About the Workshop & Tutor

Many of us will be aware of Rogier from his recent success winning the William Lock prize awarded by the Royal Society of Portrait Painters at their annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries (2025), however, Rogier has a wealth of experience as a portrait painter and tutor/mentor over many years and in many countries. You can find out more about Rogier here.

What can you expect on this course? Apart from having fun, Rogier will give us technical tools to achieve a well-constructed portrait in oil paint. We begin with some drawing but start working with oil paint from day one. As the week progresses, we expand our colour palette. We work with varying models and end with a self-portrait.

On the one hand, this course discusses important (technical) aspects of portrait painting, such as tone, construction and brushwork. In addition, a lot of attention is paid to the way we personally paint; Rogier encourages a loose, free approach with an emphasis on expression. Participants are challenged to take risks and deviate from the beaten track and to strive for powerful paintings with as much individuality as possible.

PROGRAM

Day 1

Morning: Focus on shape, proportion and tone

First a short keynote about the construction of the head. Then, using photo prints, with charcoal and white chalk, we will make 4 small drawings in different techniques. Then we will study the proportions of the face and make one detailed drawing on tinted paper with white and black chalk/charcoal in just over an hour. We will practice the construction and placement of eyes, nose and mouth.

 In the afternoon (change models) we will paint with a limited palette: green earth, burnt sienna and white and make 1 portrait based on tone and construction. First prepare ground with raw umber.

 Day 2

We start with a demonstration of mixing options. In the morning we will make one portrait with blue, siena, white, yellow ochre and rose madder. We will practice light/dark contrasts, core shadow and reflection light.
In the afternoon     (models change places) we will make 1 portrait in the same colors with cadmium red and yellow added.

Evening: Lecture on Portraiture by Rogier.


Day 3

Draw the shape/proportions in blue.

The basis today is that we first consciously choose an complementary light-dark contrast. First set this up in large areas/ planes.

So, for example, pink in the light areas and green in the shadows.

Or orange in the light and shades of blue in the shade.

Or yellow (light) versus purple (dark).

Prepare palette. First determine clear color schemes, also in relation to the clothing, hair and background.

 Day 4

Today we will make one portrait with this palette: ultramarine blue, burnt siena, white, yellow ochre and rose madder. Work at a very high pace in the beginning and consider your gestures, your own personal ‘handwriting’ and specific brushstrokes.

 Day 5

We make a self portrait from a mirror

What is provided?

All equipment, oil painting paper, Micheal Harding paints, quality brushes, mediums, other materials etc are provided. If people would prefer to work on linen then I will check with Rogier to see what size and you can bring your own. A selection of teas and coffee, organic milk and plant based milk, plus a selection of treats will also be available.

Terms & Conditions

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Course & Workshop Terms & Conditions

Portrait Gallery