Introduction to painting a Portrait! From the inside out / Sissejuhatus portreemaali: pealuust portreeni!

Venue: The _Workshop (Pärnu mnt. 19, 2nd floor)
Model: No model, we work from cast sculptures
Session: 2 x 2.5h
Instructor: Kaspar Tamsalu
Language: English and Estonian

In July we're gathering at the Workshop in a small group to learn about THE PORTRAIT. The course consists of a two-day program Tuesday 21/7 and Thrusday 23/7, 2.5 hours each 18:30-21:00. Kaspar coaches every participant at their individual level and the course is beginner-friendly.

On the first day we focus on the theoretical fundamentals, look at the portrait throughout history, and draw studies from casts.

On the second day we paint! We will continue working from a cast portrait in the studio and we use oil paints. The choice is whether to work monochromatically in a technique called 'grisaille', or to paint a head Alla Prima in technique. If you've never used oil paints before, then the instruction will include a crash course into the materials.

After the course you will have made a small portrait painting in oils and will know how artists look at faces (and why it is so tempting to begin drawing from the nose!)

Eesti keeles: Juulis koguneme kaheks õhtuks Workshoppi, et õppida portreed joonistama ja maalima. Teisipäeval 21/7 ja neljapäeval 23/7 kell 18:30-21:00, kokku 5h. Kursus on sobilik ka algajale ning juhendaja toetab iga osalejat vastavalt tema oskustele ja tasemele.

Teisipäeval joonistame kipsist pealuud ja tahkpead, tutvume portree teoreetilise vundamendiga ja vaatame näiteid kunstiajaloost. Õpime termineid nagu 'Alla Prima' ja 'grisaille' ja 'akadeemiline portree'.

Neljapäeval maalime! Maalimiseks kasutame õlivärve. Juhendataval on valik teha kipsist autentne grisaille tehnikas portree või vabamas ja hoogsamas tehnikas Alla Prima portree.

Kursuse läbinu oskab maalida õlivärvidega, on maalinud kipskujust portree, valdab uut sõnavara ning oskab inimestele hoopis teise pilguga näkku vaadata!

About the instructor

Kaspar Tamsalu teaches classical painting and drawing in the tradition of the Repin Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, where he trained in rigorous easel painting. He previously led the Painting Department at Pallas University of Applied Sciences, and works professionally as an Art Director and visual artist in the video game industry. His studio practice combines academic technique with contemporary sensibility, working in small groups with individual coaching that emphasizes close observation, technical fluency, and the development of each student’s individual voice.

Juhendajast

Kaspar Tamsalu juhindub joonistamise ja maalimise õpetamisel meetoditest, mille ta omandas Peterburi Repini Kunstide Akadeemias tahvelmaali erialal. Kaspar on juhtinud Kõrgema Kunstikooli Pallas maaliosakonda ja õpetanud seal kaasprofessorina ning töötab videomängutööstuses kunstilise juhina ja kunstnikuna. Oma töötubades asetab ta akadeemilised töövõtted kaasaegsesse keskkonda. Rühmad on väikesed ning individuaalse juhendamise kaudu keskendub Kaspar igale õppurile, et treenida tema vaatlusoskust, tehnilist sõnavara, käelist osavust ja kunstniku isikupärast käekirja.

ESSENTIAL MATERIALS / VAJALIKUD TÖÖVAHENDID:

At The _workshop we will provide you with easels and tape

Basic required materials for painting on Thursday:

You will need to bring the following materials:
1. Substrate/painting surface: 40x50cm canvas or canvas board. Smaller canvas size ensures we can finish the work during the course. Appropriate paper in similar size if you choose to work with gouache.

2. Oil paints, ~37ml tubes

For a monochromatic grisaille technique:
a. White (‘titanium’, or ‘mixing white’)
b. Raw Umber

Recommended minimum for a 'full color' Alla Prima approach: 
a. White (‘titanium’, or ‘mixing white’)
b. Black (‘ivory’)
c. Red (‘primary’, or ‘cadmium’ red)
d. Yellow Ochre
e. Blue (‘ultramarine blue’)

Nice-to-Have colors:
f. Cadmium Yellow
g. Burnt Sienna
h. Viridian Green
i. Alizarin Crimson (Bright red)
3. Solvent: A ~250ml bottle of Turpentine, and linseed oil (no need if working with water based media)

4. Brushes: A selection of 4-5 flat and round, hard-bristled brushes sized small (under 10mm) to medium (10-20mm) and one larger ~30mm+ flat brush to cover larger surfaces.

5. Palette knife (not required if working with gouache)

6. A palette suitable for oil paints (preferably wooden) (alternatives suitable for water based media)

7. Turpentine holder that can be attached to the palette (cups for water for water based media)

Essential materials for drawing on Tuesday:
We will be drawing multiple things on the same sheet of paper or cut a larger sheet into smaller sizes.

See you at The Workshop!