Course Description

Using your favorite family photos or found images, we will create whimsical portraits surrounded by Matisse inspired floral backgrounds. In this 4 hour workshop you will learn how to break down the face, transfer your image to a wood panel, create contour sketched faces and even paint over paper if sketching a face feels too intimidating.

You will learn how to paint a face using only a few tools. You will then pick your color palette based upon some simple color theory that will really change how you look at color in your work. Our final layers will be inspired by vintage floral wallpaper and we will loosely paint our flowers alla prima (wet on wet). You can use any paint medium you are the most comfortable with. I will be using acrylics and gouache.

This is a live Zoom art workshop that will be held on Saturday, January 17th, 2026 from 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm. If you are not able to make all or parts of the live session please note that the session will be recorded high res, edited within 24 hours and be up within your classroom to watch at your convenience. All edited sessions are downloadable, high res, and include closed captioning.

Techniques Taught

• How to breakdown a face
• How to transfer a sketch to a substrate
• How to contour sketch a face
• How to paint a face with simple tools
• How to paint florals in the style of Matisse
• How to create beautiful color choices in your work