Tutor - Martin Jessup

3-day workshop

Monday 14, Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 September 2026, 10am - 4pm

This intensive three-day workshop explores the process of creating a contemporary oil portrait grounded in traditional principles.

Designed for intermediate painters, the course moves from structural drawing and proportion through to colour, flesh tones, likeness, and the finished painted surface.

Students will learn how to construct the head accurately, organise light and shadow, mix convincing skin tones, and develop portraits with both technical strength and painterly expression.

Emphasis is placed on balancing realism with atmosphere, creating portraits that feel alive rather than photographic. Through demonstrations, guided exercises, and individual critique, participants will complete a resolved oil portrait while developing a deeper understanding of modern portrait painting rooted in classical methods.

This three-day intensive is designed for intermediate painters who already have confidence handling oil paint and drawing basics, but want to deepen their understanding of portrait construction, likeness, paint handling, colour relationships, and contemporary portrait language

All basic materials provided, although you are welcome to bring your own brushes if you have them. Suitable for those with previous figure drawing/painting experience.

Please bring an apron or wear clothes suitable for an art studio, and bring a bag suitable for taking your work home on the final day.

Buying as a gift?

When buying a course or workshop you will be automatically emailed a confirmation which you can print off and include in a card for your loved one. Gift vouchers can also be bought if you aren't sure which course they would prefer. Please email us the name and email address of the person attending on drawingschool@rwa.org.uk 

Before booking we ask everyone please read our updated Terms and Conditions. 

Participants must be 18 or over.

If eligible, discounts must be applied when first purchasing your class and cannot be given retrospectively. Please contact us if the discount code is not working.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or mental health issue which you feel may affect your participation in your chosen class, please either email drawingschool@rwa.org.uk or call 01179067600, prior to booking, so we are aware of any needs you may have. 

Refund/transfer and Cancellation Policy: We are unable to offer full or part cash refunds, but you are eligible for an RWA gift voucher or transfer, minus an admin fee*, provided you notify us more than 14 days before the start of your class with us. If we cancel a course or workshop for any reason, then participants will be offered a different date, course/workshop or RWA gift voucher. 

*Admin fee for courses £25, Admin fee for workshops £15