Children, Grandchildren, Mum, Dad, Relatives (living or deceased), Friends, Heroes
This hands on 2-day workshop is designed especially for beginners and inexperienced artists who would like to learn the fundamentals of oil portrait painting. Working from a photographic reference of someone meaningful to you, participants will be guided step-by-step through the portrait process in a relaxed, encouraging environment.
You will learn how to thoughtfully translate a photograph onto canvas and build a portrait using traditional oil painting techniques. Starting with simple sketches, you’ll progress through monochrome underpainting before developing your work into full colour, gaining confidence and skills at each stage.
In this workshop you will learn:
- How to translate a portrait image from photograph to canvas
- The process of building an oil painting from sketch to monochrome, then from monochrome to full colour
- How to mix and achieve a range of realistic flesh tones
- Techniques for creating depth and a three-dimensional effect using oil paint
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a deeper understanding of oil portrait painting and a small, meaningful portrait to take home. No prior experience is necessary—just curiosity and a willingness to learn.
Dates: 9:30am – 4pm Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th March 2026
Cost: $350 per Student (Includes morning tea, lunch, and Rosby wines)
MATERIALS LIST
Suggestions of art materials for students to bring along:
- Colour Photograph of the portrait you have chosen to paint on high quality photo paper
- Black and white Image same size plain paper
- Pastel pencil light blue (chalk not oil)
- Ruler
- Canvas similar to any of the above images 40 x 50 cm recommended
- The following list of oil paints. Winton brand recommended 37ml
Earth: Burnt Umber, Burnt sienna,
Reds: Pale Rose Blush, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium red hue, Rose Dore
Orange: Orange
Yellows: Cadmium Yellow, Lemon Yellow, yellow ochre, Naples Yellow,
Blues: Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Blue, Cobalt Blue
Green: Viridian Green
Violets: Mars Violet, Dioxazine Blue, Cobalt Violet
White: Flake White, Titanium White
Medium: Liquin light gel- oil colour medium
Brushes: Bristle, flat and round, a range of sizes from 1-12
Artists Palette: Wood
Clean brushes with vegetable oil then dish washing detergent and water. Tin cans or plastic to wash in. No glass please. Rags, paper towel. Please note! If you already have paints and medium then bring what you have. Avoid turps of any kind.
Additional: Easels & stools are provided, but if you have a special seat the bring that. If you have your own portable (collapsible) side table that may help also. Drink bottle, hat & sunscreen. We will be working under cover, but partly outdoors.
ARTIST BIO
About the tutor
David Newman-White Dip Art (4 year); Grad Dip Art: Grad Dip Ed; MA (Hons) UWS
David Newman-White is a respected artist and tutor who specialises in painting and drawing. He runs painting and drawing workshops throughout NSW and interstate and tutors for the National Trust’s Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum summer drawing program. His work is included as one of the ‘40 Maitres du Pastel’ 2016, (‘40 Masters of Pastel’) in a new book produced by Pratique des Arts, France. He has been employed by TAFE NSW for the past thirty five years teaching Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses in Fine Art.
Apart from continual studio explorations, central to his creativity is his love of en plein air studies of the world that he travels in. Central Australia and the coast, Paris, France, London and country, Italy, Portugal, USA and New Zealand.
Throughout the world he has tutored numerous workshops.
He is the President of The Glebe Art Show and has judged many prizes. Visit www.petergriffen.com for more details.
For more information, visit rosby.com.au
