Portraits Alla Prima with Alexis Rausch

Recommended skill level: Intermediate to advanced. 

Learn to paint a realistic portrait in 5 sessions using the Alla Prima (wet on wet) oil painting technique!

Elevate your portrait skills with Alexis Rausch in a hands-on Alla Prima Portrait Painting course where students will learn how to combine skills from the old masters with the contemporary technique of wet-on-wet painting. Follow Alexis as she shows students how to sketch proportions and paint realistic facial features, emphasizing the importance of starting with basic shapes, and planes before delving into finer details. Throughout the course, students gain valuable insights into palette management, color mixing, and the gradual development of a portrait from initial sketches to polished artwork, culminating in a comprehensive and informative learning experience that enhances both technical skills and artistic appreciation. 

Daily instruction will include:

• instructor demonstration 
• ten minute break halfway through daily session
• in-class paint time with individual critique and one-on-one demonstration from instructor

Materials list:

Note: Students may have individual paint tools that they have acquired, which they are welcome to bring and use. If they do not have pre-existing materials, they may use the list below as a guide or contact alexisrausch3@gmail.com with any materials questions. 

We recommend Blick Art Materials on 1025 E 2100 S in Salt Lake for materials.

Oil Painting Brushes:

• Synthetic or sable round 0,1 and 2.

• Synthetic or sable flat 0,1,2 and 3.

• Princeton Real Value Brush Set - 9155, White Taklon, Long Handle, Set of 5

• Small house painting brush for applying gesso, and blending.

Paints (Oil, starred paints are optional but recommended):

Alizarin Crimson

Cadmium Red

Cadmium Orange

Cadmium Yellow

Naples Yellow

Yellow Ochre

Lemon Yellow *

Viridian Green

Sap Green *

Phthalo Blue

Ultramarine Blue

Cobalt Blue

Dioxazine Violet

Paynes Grey *

Ivory Black

Titanium White (Recommend a larger tube)

Burnt Umber

Burnt Sienna

Raw Sienna *

Additional Materials For Oils:

Walnut Oil

Turpenoid or Mineral Spirits

Paint mixing palette

pallet knife

small pallet cups for mediums

Old rags (free t-shirts work great for this!)

Jar with lid for paint thinner

Basic drawing material of choice

Canvas 11"x14" 

With the inclusion of a personal paint apron/smock we recommend wearing clothing that you don’t mind getting paint on.