Painting the Oil Portrait Sketch with Andrew James (January 2026)
Date: Wednesday, 28 January 2026 - Friday, 30 January 2026
Time: 10am - 5pm
Tutor: Andrew James
Cost: £360
Painting the Oil Portrait Sketch
Within this course's general goal of developing portrait painting and drawing skills, I shall look to enhance the fundamental skill sets for working from the model and improving the observational skills required to do that. Along with short and medium-length demonstrations from me, there’ll be an undertaking of multiple exercises along with continuous one-to-one support, pushing your work as far as possible over the three days.
You’ll produce several works based upon various drawing and painting approaches, as well as one completed portrait sketch
The course is suitable for moderate to more experienced painters.
Please note: We will be studio-based while working from the life model.
What will I learn?
- Simplifying the portrait from basic drawn building blocks to refined painted details
- Developing a process to observe and record information, generating robust structures as well as compelling likeness
- To enhance the use of oil paint as a medium
- To use colour more creatively, as well as in the service of portraiture
- The application of more gestural work whilst maintaining rigorous structure.
- To enhance differing modes of portrait drawing.
Who is the tutor?
Andrew James began his artistic life at 17. He worked as a self-directed student for 10 years before winning the prestigious Carroll Foundation Award, awarded by the Royal Society of Portrait Painters - RP - in 1998. Andrew went on to win the Changing Faces as well as the Ondaatje Award, also awarded by the RP. Andrew was elected a member of the RP and NEAC in 2002 and 2017, respectively.
Andrew has taught since 2006, working widely in the UK, Europe and South Africa.
You can see more of his work at:
Instagram: andrewrpneac
Course Structure
Day 1 - We will begin day one with a series of drawing exercises, accompanied by drawing demonstrations from myself. Strong emphasis will be placed on the simplification of structural qualities. The day continues with the making of a more highly resolved charcoal drawing, before concluding with the making of a monochromatic oil study.
Day 2 - Day two begins with a colour study demonstration, firstly by me, before being undertaken by the group. The main painting will then begin, firstly with some time spent making compositional studies, then beginning in earnest with the main painting.
Day 3 - Day three continues with and then concludes the large portrait study begun on day two .
Paints: Artists' Quality Oil Paint
- Raw Umber
- Yellow Ochre
- Lemon Yellow
- French Ultramarine
- Alizarin Crimson
- Cadmium Red
- Titanium White
- Feel free to bring additional colours
Brushes: Artists' Hog Hair Brushes. Long Flats or Filberts
- Size 8
- Size 6
- Size 4
Additional materials:
- A3 cartridge Paper
- Willow Charcoal, Graphite Pencils, Erasers
- Masking Tape
- Cotton Rags/Kitchen roll
- Paint Dipper
- Low Odour Thinner, such as Sansodor ( Please note that turpentine is not permitted in the studio )
- Solid Palette
- Canvas/ Board / Oil Painting Paper 1 x 20 x 14/ 2 x 12 x 9
