2 – 4 December 2026
The Impressionist portrait in alla prima
Cours en anglais / course in English
To register, please click here.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This three-day workshop introduces a direct approach to painting the portrait from life through the Visual Method and the practice of alla prima painting. Rather than treating alla prima simply as a way to paint quickly, we will use it as a concentrated form of practice—developing familiarity with oil paint, loosening our hands and wrists, and sharpening our eyes.
On the first day, we will discuss the main concepts behind this approach. This will be followed by a complete two-to-three-hour portrait demonstration, with pauses along the way for explanation, questions and discussion. On the second day, students will complete their first alla prima portrait from the live model, with individual guidance throughout the process. We will finish the day with a review and a 30-minute Q&A.
On the third day, we will work from a new pose, use a different colour palette and approach the painting more quickly. I will begin with a one-hour demonstration using a different process from the first day. Students will then have approximately three to four hours to complete their own portrait study. We will finish with a short group critique and a relaxed gathering to close the workshop.
What will I learn?
- How to approach the complete process of painting a portrait in oils
- The importance of working wet into wet in direct oil painting
- The concept of the Naive Eye and how to apply it while painting
- The Impression Concept: one moment and one point of view
- How to judge when a painting is finished
- How to work from big relationships toward smaller ones
- How to choose the right brushes for each stage of the painting
- The fundamentals of colour theory, colour mixing and painting mediums
- The seven elements of visual language in painting
DAILY PROGRAMME
Day 1 – Introduction and Demonstration
The first day will be centred around a complete portrait demonstration from the live model, taking place throughout the day.
As the painting develops, I will introduce the main principles of the Visual Method and alla prima portrait painting, together with practical discussions about materials, brushes, painting surfaces, palette organisation, colour mixing and paint handling. The demonstration will remain open to pauses, questions and group discussions throughout the process.
During the final hour of the day, students will make a quick portrait sketch in a sketchbook or on paper. This first practical exercise will include individual guidance and feedback, helping students begin to internalise the ideas discussed and demonstrated throughout the day.
Day 2 – First Alla Prima Portrait
Students will complete their first alla prima portrait from the live model, working from the initial placement through to the final stages of the painting.
I will work individually with each student throughout the day, helping with observation, colour mixing, paint handling and the development of the portrait. We will finish with a group review and a 30-minute Q&A about the day’s experience.
Day 3 – A Faster Portrait Study
We will work from a new pose, with a different colour palette and a more condensed painting process.
I will begin the morning with a one-hour portrait demonstration, using a different approach from the first day. Students will then have approximately three to four hours to complete their own portrait study, applying what they learned over the previous two days while working more directly and decisively.
The workshop will conclude with a short group critique and a relaxed gathering.
materials list
ABOUT THE TUTOR
Theo Felizzola is a Brazilian-born painter and teacher based in Biel/Bienne. He holds a Bachelors in Traditional Illustration and an MFA in Painting from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California and works primarily in portraiture and figurative painting.
His work has been recognised by the Art Renewal Center Salon, the Portrait Society of America and the Target Painting Prize at the Ateneo de Madrid.
This class is limited to 8 students.
The price for this course is CHF 465.-
For further information, please contact us at info@studiovaldus.com
To register, please click here.
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