Portrait Painting with Danny Ferland (April 2026)

Learn to paint a strong, lively portrait from life over four focused days, building confidence in drawing, colour, and paint handling, with personalised feedback from the tutor. 

What will you learn?

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a clear, repeatable process for portrait painting, including how to:

• Start with a solid head block-in (structure, proportion, placement)
• Simplify values and form so the portrait feels three-dimensional
• Mix colour more confidently for skin tones and temperature shifts
• Handle edges, brushwork, and transitions to bring life and likeness
• Make practical decisions that keep your painting moving forward (and avoid getting stuck)

How the days run

Day 1 (first half-day): Demonstration + setup

Danny begins with a live demo so you can see the full workflow from start to finish, beginning with a vine charcoal block-in, sealing it, and moving through an underpainting into full colour. If you would like to carry on with your own practice at any time during the demo, you are welcome to do so! 

Remainder of the workshop: Your own portrait from life

You’ll paint your own portrait from the live model, not from photographs,  applying the same steps with guidance throughout. Expect a supportive, workshop-style rhythm of short group instruction, targeted demos when helpful, and lots of one-to-one coaching so you always know what to work on next.

Who is this for?

This workshop suits serious beginners through advanced painters. If you’re newer, you’ll gain a clear structure and practical habits. If you’re more experienced, you’ll refine accuracy, colour control, and decision-making under time pressure.

Past student feedback:

" I loved the course! There was a real sense of the group evolving through the stages together. Danny brilliantly demonstrated the steps and skills we’d use, taking us from measuring to drawing to painting the model, and he shared insightful tips as he came around to look at our portraits. I thoroughly enjoyed the process, and the studio space was well organised. I hope to come back to Raw Umber Studios again soon. Thank you!!" Sophie J 

About the tutor

Danny Ferland is a portrait painter trained in the academic tradition (including the Janus Collaborative School of Art, New York). His teaching focuses on building a strong foundation in drawing, values, and colour so students can create portraits with both accuracy and vitality.