Date: 8 Mondays, July 7 - August 25, 2025 (Registration opens May 18 at noon)
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Location: Classroom 3A
Instructor: Mike Laiuppa
Level: Some painting experience required, but no prior portraiture experience necessary
Tuition: $270, Members save 10%
Cancellation Policy

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Class Description

This class is for both beginner and intermediate portrait painters as I will not only teach the class as a whole, but will regularly walk around the class to help you on an individual basis. Everyone learns at a different pace and I will meet you at your level to help you improve.
For beginners, we will focus on capturing the correct angles and proportions, as well as learning which parts of the skull and musculature to look for when capturing a likeness. For those familiar with portraiture, some of this will be a good review and the rest will be a further development of your skills.
We will explore shaping the form with values and temperature, the importance of edge quality, choosing the right background to complement the subject, and more. We will be working on multiple paintings over the course of this class, so have a few subjects in mind before we start class.

Materials
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About the Instructor

Mike is a personal trainer and oil painter based in Simsbury, CT. Along with running his training business, he teaches painting lessons at local arts organizations and privatley. Mike's main focus is in human and animal portraiture, but he also enjoys painting still-life. He is a member of both the Portrait Society of America and Oil Painters of America.
"Oil paint feels alive to me. It can be pushed, prodded, streaked, and steered. But no matter what you do to it, it will remain true to your intent. I find it a fascinating medium with which to create. It's by far the easiest I've played with, but truly the hardest to master. It's for these reasons, I feel drawn to commanding it."
Visit Mike's website.