FREE PREVIEW

Course curriculum

    1. Student Orientation Video

    2. Join your community!

    3. Materials

    4. Vocabulary

    1. Preparing the Photo Reference

    1. Shooting the Model

    1. Editing the Photograph

About this course

  • $79.99
  • 7 lessons
  • 2 hours of video content

Great Value

Learn a lifelong skill for the price of a trip to the art supply store

Course overview

Discover the art of creating effective photo references for painting in this comprehensive course. Learn to navigate the strengths and limitations of photography, from selecting the right lighting and composition to processing and printing your images. Through practical tips and demonstrations, you'll understand how to capture depth, form, and color progression, ensuring your references serve as a dynamic foundation for expressive and realistic paintings. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned artist, this course will empower you to transcend photographic constraints and craft references that elevate your artistic vision.

  • Master photo reference techniques

  • Capture depth, form, and color

  • Avoid common photographic pitfalls

  • Enhance references with processing tips

  • Optimize lighting and composition

  • Learn effective photo editing methods

Instructor(s)

Alyssa Monks

Instructor

Born 1977 in New Jersey, Alyssa began oil painting as a child. She studied at The New School in New York and earned her B.A. from Boston College in 1999. During this time she studied painting at Lorenzo de’ Medici in Florence. She went on to earn her M.F.A. from the New York Academy of Art in 2001. She completed an artist in residency at Fullerton College in 2006 and has lectured and taught at universities and institutions worldwide. She continues to offer workshops and mentorships and lectures regularly. Alyssa has been awarded the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant for Painting three times and serves on the New York Academy of Art’s Board of Trustees. She is represented by Forum Gallery in New York City. Alyssa currently lives and paints in Brooklyn, New York.

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