Alla Prima Portrait Sketching with Patrick Byrnes (September 2026)
In this four-day workshop, artists will learn to create alla prima portrait paintings that evince the beauty and humanity of the model with freshness, sensitivity, and lively detail. Using a lucid step-by-step approach featuring an emphasis on strong drawing, simplification, form analysis, and rational colour mixing, participants will paint four portrait sketches of live models using a limited palette of six colours. Patrick will guide artists with daily demonstrations and comprehensive personalised critiques through each stage of the process - from creating a strong likeness with accurate drawing, to colour mixing, modelling form and finishing details.
Cranial anatomy, materials, paint handling, and the physics of light will also be discussed throughout each session. While this workshop is mainly geared towards painters with some previous experience in oils, artists who prefer to create portrait drawings in graphite or charcoal are also encouraged to participate.
Morning sessions feature short lectures to introduce key concepts as well as a comprehensive, narrated demonstration by Patrick. Afternoon sessions are devoted exclusively to artists painting from the live model, with Patrick offering detailed, customised critiques to each artist; typically, each participant will receive 20-30 minutes of personalised instructor feedback each day.
ABOUT THE TUTOR
Patrick was born in Busan, South Korea, in 1984 and raised in La Grange, Illinois. He earned his undergraduate degree in Art History and English from the University of St Andrews in 2006. After a year studying drawing at the Florence Academy of Art, Patrick moved to New York in 2010 to train under Jacob Collins at Grand Central Atelier, where he subsequently worked as an instructor of painting and drawing in the atelier's full and part-time programs. In 2017, Patrick relocated to Paris, France, where he now lives and works. His work is exhibited at galleries in New York and Massachusetts. You can see his work at www.patrickbyrnespaintings.com
"Excellent tutor - explained everything well. Very generous with the amount of information he shared." - Linda Green
"Very professionally organised and delivered with a fantastic studio, lights, models! refreshments.... and most importantly, excellent tutors.
Patrick is enthusiastic, an attentive listener, a clear thinker, and answers questions and explains concepts in crystal clear and succinct language." - Sharon T
MATERIALS
SUPPORTS
4 primed panels or stretched canvases, minimum size 11x14 inches
PIGMENTS*
Required:
- Titanium White or Lead white
- Yellow Ochre
- Cadmium Red, Venetian Red, or Scarlet Lake
- Ivory Black
Optional:
- Alizarin Crimson
- Raw Umber and/or Burnt Umber
- Viridian and/or Ultramarine Blue
Additional pigments that Patrick frequently includes on his palette for portrait painting:
- Cadmium Yellow
- Raw Sienna
- Burnt Sienna
- Violet Grey
(*Most professional-grade brands are acceptable, such as Winsor & Newton, Gamblin, Charvin, Williamsburg, et al. Patrick personally uses a mix of Michael Harding, Old Holland and Rublev brand pigments.)
TOOLS
- Palette: wooden or disposable
- Solvent in an airtight container (only Odorless Mineral Spirits is permitted, e.g. Gamsol or Turpenoid)
- Palette Knife
- Paper Towels
BRUSHES
Invest in a variety of hair shapes and sizes. Patrick works with a mix of hairs (synthetics, mongoose, sables, and bristles) in a variety of shapes (flats, rounds, filberts) and sizes (from 0 to 12). For beginners, Patrick would recommend starting with a selection of good-quality but inexpensive synthetic flat or round brushes (sizes 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10).
How many students will there be?
There is a maximum of 12 participants, and the tutor will customise the course according to your individual needs.
Studio Access & Parking
The studio and car park will open at 9:30 am each day. We kindly ask that you do not arrive before this time, as staff will be preparing the space.
We close at 5:30 pm, so please ensure you are packed up and ready to leave by then. Thank you for helping us keep everything running smoothly!
If you have any questions, please see our frequently asked questions or contact us.
