David Dean’s 5-Day Portrait Painting Workshop in the Old Master Style
I had the privilege of participating in David Dean’s transformative 5-day portrait painting workshop, where we delved into the techniques of the Old Masters to capture the timeless beauty of the human face. Using a reference from the renowned William-Adolphe Bouguereau, whose delicate and emotive style inspired my piece, we explored the classical approach to portraiture. The workshop began with a charcoal drawing study to establish the foundation, followed by an underpainting to set the tonal structure. David guided us in using his unique value palette, teaching us how to mix colors with precision while maintaining harmony across the value scale.
The process was both structured and enlightening, focusing on the framework of skills needed to bring a portrait to life. Over the five days, I honed my ability to observe and translate the subtleties of light, form, and expression onto the canvas. The finished piece—a portrait of a young girl with soft, voluminous hair adorned with curls, dressed in a delicate white blouse and rich brown fabric—reflects the ethereal quality of Bouguereau’s work while showcasing the techniques I mastered under David’s expert guidance.
What I took away from this workshop was nothing short of incredible. My skills were profoundly transformed, and I left with a deeper understanding of portraiture in the Old Master style, ready to apply these techniques to my own artistic journey. This experience has been a pivotal moment in my growth as an artist, and I’m thrilled to share the results with my clients.
