INTERMEDIATE PORTRAIT PAINTING
~ An intensive 2 day workshop with Christopher Webb ~
Saturday, May 30 - Sunday, May 31, 2026
9:30am - 4:30pm = 12 total hours
This two-day intermediate portrait painting workshop is designed as a natural continuation for painters who already have a basic understanding of portrait structure, light, and tonal values. While the introductory course focuses on drawing, proportion, and tonal studies, this workshop shifts attention toward working more confidently in full colour while developing a single portrait painting.
Participants will work primarily from one photographic reference image and will focus on building a convincing portrait through layered painting techniques, moving from underpainting to overpainting while refining colour relationships and edges.
The workshop begins with a focused exploration of flesh tones across diverse ethnic backgrounds, examining how subtle shifts in temperature, value, and saturation create believable skin. Through demonstrations and guided exercises, participants will learn how to mix flexible skin tone palettes that can adapt to different lighting conditions and complexions.
Once colour relationships are established, we will move into the process of underpainting and block-in, simplifying the head into large shapes of light and shadow. From there, participants will develop the painting through controlled layering, gradually introducing richer colour, subtle transitions, and expressive brushwork.
Throughout the two days, Christopher will demonstrate strategies for approaching a portrait with clarity and confidence — from initial structure and colour planning to refining form and atmosphere in the final stages of a painting.
By the end of the workshop participants will have completed a developed portrait study and gained practical strategies for mixing convincing flesh tones, structuring a portrait in colour, and bringing life and presence to their subject.
Included in Fee:
All painting boards
Oil Paints
Painting Medium
Easels
Coffee/Tea
When: Monday, August 24 - Thursday, August 27, 2026
Where: Suite 201 - 995 Herring Cove Road, Herring Cove, Nova Scotia, B3V-1H6
Fee: $425.00 (tax inc.)
Min. Participants: 6 | Max Participants: 12
Registration: to register for the session or for more information, please email Christopher at info@cwebb.ca and he will respond within 1 day.
Meet your instructor
Christopher Webb is an internationally recognized, award-winning artist and art educator. His work has been exhibited across Canada and Europe, including a recent show at Marina Bastianello Gallery (Venice, 2026) following his receipt of the CREA - Cantieri Del Contemporaneo Venezia Prize for Painting. Click this link to learn more about Christopher and his art practice.