Portrait Painting Workshop from Life

Portrait Painting from Life with Laurel Stern Boeck

The Portrait Painting Workshop from Life at Fallsview Arts is an immersive studio experience for artists interested in capturing both the likeness and character of the human subject. Working directly from a live model, this workshop focuses on observation, structure, light, and color to help artists create portraits with depth, presence, and realism.

This workshop is designed as a concentrated, short-term learning experience—ideal for artists looking to refine specific skills, explore portraiture more deeply, or step outside their regular studio practice.

Capture Likeness, Light, and Character

Portraiture is more than accuracy—it’s about understanding form, expression, and how light brings a face to life. In this workshop, we examine how light falls across the planes of the head, shaping features and creating dimension. Emphasis is placed on seeing relationships between value, color temperature, and structure rather than copying surface details.

In this Workshop, You’ll Explore

• Working directly from a live model

• Interpreting light, form, and structure

• Developing confident brushwork

• Color relationships and flesh tones

• Brushwork, edges, and atmosphere

• Bringing unity and depth to a finished portrait

Instruction balances demonstration, discussion, and individualized feedback.

A required list of materials will be sent to you.

Instructor: Laurel Stern Boeck