Expressive Portrait Painting with Zin Lim: A Journey Through Styles

Embrace the vibrancy of expressive portrait painting

Dive into the dynamic and spontaneous world of alla prima painting with our transformative workshop, designed to free you from the meticulous constraints of tight portrait painting. Under the expert guidance of renowned artist Zin Lim, this workshop welcomes artists of every skill level to explore the fascinating process of crafting vivid, expressive portraits imbued with a unique personal essence.

On each day we will cover a different topic and you will paint a complete portrait:

• Day 1: Dive into the realm of classic portraiture, where the elegance of traditional techniques meets the vibrancy of modern expression.
• Day 2: Experience the fluidity and charm of the Impressionist style, focusing on the play of light and color.
• Day 3: Unleash your creativity with the bold and emotive strokes of expressionism, capturing the raw essence of your subject.
• Day 4: Discover personal stylization, where you’ll integrate the techniques learned and develop your unique artistic voice.

What you will gain:

• In-depth exploration: Master the core principles of portrait painting, from understanding proportion and gesture to unraveling complex value systems.
• Creative process: Learn the art of creating captivating brush marks, choosing a harmonious yet striking color palette, and designing compositions that speak volumes of your artistic identity.
• Hands-on experience: Bring your visions to life with direct guidance as you paint four alla prima portraits. Through expressive techniques and detailed stage breakdowns, you’ll witness your portraits come alive with emotion and depth.

Why this workshop is unmissable:

• Expert guidance: Zin Lim brings his extensive experience and nuanced understanding of expressive portraiture to lead you on this artistic voyage.
• Skill enhancement: Tailored to accommodate and challenge artists at all levels, this workshop is a golden opportunity to refine your skills or develop a new, vibrant style.
• Unique learning opportunity: This workshop is more than a learning experience; it’s a chance to transform your artistic perspective and technique under the mentorship of a master artist.

Embark on this enriching journey to expand your portrait painting skills beyond boundaries. Secure your spot today and step into a world where each brush stroke brings you closer to mastering the art of expressive portraiture.#

Testimonials

"Thank you so much for teaching this class! The majority of my drawing classes in the past have focused very much on representation. Getting to learn more expressive techniques from you has been so enlightening and just truly a joy. I really appreciate your time and the thoughtfulness you put into this course." - Katie K.

"This was amazing, I learned so much. Most of all, that drawing in this way is much more a state of mind than I realized. Thank you, Zin!" - Nathan A.

About Zin Lim

Zin Lim is an internationally renowned Korean artist and educator, celebrated for his unique blend of realism, impressionism, and expressionism. With over 12 years of teaching experience at the prestigious Graduate School of Fine Art, The Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Zin has honed his skills in guiding artists to discover and develop their creative voices.

His extensive teaching career includes over 100 workshops, masterclasses, and lectures worldwide, in countries such as the USA, South Korea, Japan, Europe, China, Australia, and Dubai. Zin's workshops are known for their dynamic and spontaneous approach, encouraging artists to break free from traditional constraints and embrace expressive, emotive techniques.

Zin's work has earned him seven 'Best of Show' awards at international and US national competitions, and his art has been showcased in over 50 solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums across the USA, South Korea, and UAE.

He holds an MFA in Fine Art from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and a BFA in Industrial Design from Hongik University in Seoul, South Korea.

Zin Lim's artistic journey is driven by a passion for capturing the essence of his subjects, blending technical skill with a deep emotional connection. His teaching philosophy focuses on helping artists not only improve their technical abilities but also find their unique artistic voice and express it boldly on the canvas.

Materials List

Oil Paints: Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, Pthalo Green (or Viridian), Burnt Umber, and Ivory Black.

4 Canvases: Stretched canvas or gesso coated canvas pad (12x16 inches or larger, with a smooth surface for better results).

Brushes: A variety of flat brushes (natural or synthetic) that maintain their shape well. Zin Lim often opts for affordable synthetic options.

Palette Knife: Ensure it is sharp for precise mixing and application.

Palette: Options include a palette pad or any wooden, plastic, or glass palette.

Medium: Only odorless options like linseed, sunflower, or safflower oil, plus odorless mineral spirit (Sansodor,, Gamsol or Turpenoid with no smell), avoiding fast-drying or toxic mediums for a healthier studio environment. Note that turpentine is not permitted in the studio.

Cleaning Supplies: Paper towels, rags, or puppy pads.

This course will have a maximum of 12 students.

Got any questions? Read our FAQs, check out our student handbook, or contact us.