Guided Course: Paint an Expressive Oil Portrait Step by Step
A course by A.J. AlperPainter
A course by A.J. Alper, Painter
Create expressive oil portraits using Alla Prima techniques, mastering color mixing, blocking, dimension, drying, and varnishing
In this guided project, you will create a vibrant oil portrait using the Alla Prima painting technique. Under the guidance of AJ Alper, you will follow a hands-on, step-by-step process through color mixing, sketching with paint, blocking in color, and building up a sense of depth and dimension. Finally, you'll complete your painting by learning how to protect, store, and ship your finished portrait. This course takes a practical, project-based approach that allows you to experience the full oil portraiture process from start to finish.
What will you learn in this online course?
10 lessons & 17 downloads
Color Mixing and Viscosity
15 minutes, 52 seconds
Mixing Flesh Tones
17 minutes, 4 seconds
Blocking in Color
5 minutes, 39 seconds
Creating Dimension 1
17 minutes, 5 seconds
Creating Dimension 2
8 minutes, 39 seconds
Fixes and Fine Tuning
13 minutes, 49 seconds
What's included in this course?
Explore the world of expressive oil portraiture through the practical application of the Alla Prima technique. Develop a strong foundation in color mixing, viscosity control, and drawing directly with paint as you build the structure of a portrait. Hands-on lessons guide you through mixing natural-looking flesh tones, blocking in color to establish form and value, and carefully modeling features to build depth and realism. Refine your work in stages, addressing details and adjustments that bring the painting to life.
Gain essential knowledge for completing and protecting your artwork, including the proper methods for drying, varnishing, and storing oil portraits. Learn best practices for safely shipping your finished pieces, ensuring they arrive in perfect condition. By the end, you'll understand how each phase connects, leaving you confident to create expressive, dimension-rich portraits from start to finish using classic wet-on-wet techniques.
What is this course's project?
Create an expressive oil portrait using the Alla Prima technique, mastering skills like color mixing, sketching with paint, blocking in color, and building depth. Complete the artwork by learning drying, varnishing, and safe storage and shipping methods.
Who is this online course for?
Ideal for creative enthusiasts exploring expressive portraiture, hobbyist or emerging oil painters curious about Alla Prima techniques, experienced artists seeking fresh inspiration, or anyone ready to deepen their hands-on painting skills step by step.
Requirements and materials
Extensive prior experience is unnecessary; familiarity with basic painting concepts, such as using brushes and mixing colors, helps. Access to an easel, oil paints, brushes, canvas, suitable workspace, linseed oil, and cleaning supplies is required.
Reviews
- 9 months ago
sehr hilfreich, very, very good lession, thanks A.J.Alper
Through his social media, he has created an online community committed to encouraging and educating his followers about the art of oil painting and portraiture. With over a hundred thousand followers, he started the 100-Day Portrait Challenge to encourage his community to express their creativity. His work can be found on the walls of Marriott hotels, Mitsubishi corporations, Philip Morris buildings as well as in various solo exhibitions throughout the US.
Content
Guided Course: Paint an Expressive Oil Portrait Step by Step
- Podcast: The Rush of Creation: Why Artists Paint Against Time
- Drawing with Paint
- Color Mixing and Viscosity
- Mixing Flesh Tones
- Blocking in Color
- Creating Dimension 1
- Creating Dimension 2
- Fixes and Fine Tuning
- Drying and Varnishing
- Storing and Shipping
- Final project
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate artists who already have some basic experience with painting and want to deepen their skills in oil portrait techniques.
You will need oil paints, brushes, a painting panel or canvas, palette knives, solvents, varnishes, and access to a computer with Photoshop for reference preparation.
You’ll learn accurate measurement transfer, foundational sketching with paint, mixing and matching skin tones, blending techniques, color blocking, depth creation, and best practices for varnishing and protecting finished artworks.
Yes, some prior experience with oil paints is recommended as the course covers intermediate portrait techniques and assumes familiarity with basic painting processes.
The course teaches you how to analyze references, measure key landmarks, and transfer proportional relationships to your painting surface for accurate feature placement.
Yes, you’ll learn how to mix and modulate flesh tones, balance color temperature, and prevent muddy colors for naturalistic skin depiction in portraits.
Yes, the course covers forgiving painting techniques, including adjusting and correcting painted marks and remeasuring features for better accuracy.