Portraits for Beginners

Length: 2h.

Explore the use of pastel, pencils or oil paints to learn the basics of facial proportion, line and value. Students will work from the model learning to find the likeness and personality of the subject.


  • 18x24 Newsprint Pad of Paper
  • Soft vine charcoal - medium
  • Rubber kneaded eraser
  • Chamois cloth (if possible)

Later in the session we will use materials of student's choice.

Visual Arts Policies

  • Teen Students enrolled in Adult Classes: Students under 18 yrs of age must have written permission from a parent or guardian to attend any class which uses a nude life model. To download the model consent form, click here. The Art Center also reserves the right to substitute life & portrait models for any reason.

  • Material Lists: Before purchasing supplies for a class, please confirm your class status with the office, (see minimum enrollment & registration policies).

  • Pertaining to Drawing & Painting for Grades 1&2 and Grades 3-5: Art Sets are for sale at KAC and include all the supplies listed and a tote bag to transport them each week. Artwork in progress may be stored at the art center at your own risk, we are not responsible for any artwork that is left in the studio.. If you wish to order a complete Art Set you must pre-order & pre-pay through the office, to have the supplies ready for the first class. If a student runs out of supplies during a class, the teacher (with your authorization) can provide supplies and an account will be created. Students may begin with one form of media (ie. Pastel)-these materials are also available for purchase at the art center. Drawing materials such as pencils, paper and erasers are provided for all students.

Paint Policies

  • No food is to be eaten inside the studio.
  • No spray paints or fixatives to be used inside... outside only.
  • No painting rags allowed or left inside studio.
  • Easels, stools, and tables must be left as clean as possible.

Solvent Use: Only the following solvents are allowed at KAC:

  • Any odorless thinners such as Turpenoid, Best Klean or an approved generic version. Lavender oil is also acceptable.

Oil Medium Use: Only the following oil paint mediums are allowed at KAC:

  • One of the natural oil products, including walnut oil and poppy seed oil, linseed oil, stand oil, Gamblin & Daniel Smith Alkyd mediums, and liquin.

Solvent/medium handling/storage/disposal:

  • DO NOT leave glass/metal containers of solvent or medium in KAC trash cans, or dump any amount down any sink at KAC, including studios and bathrooms.
  • Your container of used solvent must be brought home in your jar.
  • All unused amounts must be properly stored in clearly labeled containers to be recycled/disposed of during Hazardous Products Collection days in your own municipality.

Brush Cleaning:

  • Cleaning of brushes used in oil painting should be done using the green lava soap or dish soap available in the studio. Baby oil or Murphy's oil soap can also be used.


Taught By

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