ALLA PRIMA PORTRAIT PAINTING: “COLOUR & LIGHT” | PATRICK BYRNES

10 Jun

Dates: Thu 1st – Sun 4th Oct 2026
Times: 10am - 5pm
Location: Enniskerry
Skill Level: Basic understanding of oil Paint is recommended

Please see detailed workshop information below

If this course is fully booked or not currently scheduled, go ahead add your name to the waiting list HERE

Payment plans available contact us directly

aBOUT THE WORKSHOP

In this four-day workshop, artists will learn to create alla prima oil 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 four different live models using a palette of 8 oil 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.

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 personalized instructor feedback each day.

While this workshop is mainly geared towards painters with some previous experience in oils, all artists from beginning to advanced are welcome; instruction will be customised to individual levels of experience.

- Paint alla prima portraits – create fresh, sensitive, and lively oil sketches directly from life.
- Strengthen your drawing foundation – develop accuracy and a strong likeness as the basis for expressive painting.
- Simplify and analyze form – break down complex structures into manageable shapes for clarity and impact.
- Master rational colour mixing – work confidently with a limited 8-colour palette.
- Model form with light – interpret light effects to create dimensional, convincing portraits.
- Finish with nuance – refine details while keeping vitality and freshness.
- Expand your knowledge base – learn about cranial anatomy, materials, paint handling, and the physics of light.
- Grow with personalised feedback – receive tailored critique each day, adapted to your level of experience.
- Daily Format:
  - Morning: Short lecture + narrated demonstration of key concepts
  - Afternoon: Hands-on painting from a live model with guided feedback
- Focus Each Day: Step-by-step instruction covering drawing, colour mixing, form modeling, and finishing details.
- Personalised Critiques: one-on-one guidance daily.
- Open to All Levels: Geared toward those with some oil painting experience, but customized for beginners through advanced artists.
SUPPORT
4 primed panels/stretched canvases/prepared oil papers: minimum size 11x14 inches
TOOLS
Palette: wooden or disposable
Solvent in an airtight container (only Odorless Mineral Spirits is permitted, e.g. Gamsol or Turpenoid)
Refined Linseed Oil or other painting medium (optional)
Palette Knife
Paper Towels
Small Mirror
OIL PAINTS
Titanium White
Cadmium Yellow
Yellow Ochre
Cadmium Red/Venetian Red/Pyrrole Red
Alizarin Crimson
Ivory Black
Raw Umber/Burnt Umber
Kings Blue/Violet Grey
BRUSHES
Ultimately, one should invest in a variety of hairs, shapes and sizes. I work 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, I would recommend starting with a selection of good quality but inexpensive synthetic flat or round brushes (sizes 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) plus several bristle-type brushes of various sizes (either natural hair or synthetic), particularly useful for the brush-drawing block-in stage.