Portrait Painting: Monochromatic Approach

Portrait Painting I: A Monochromatic Approach: In-Person

Jesse Stern | Fall I | Fridays: Sep 12 - Oct 17

Class Description:

You see the human face every day. But not like this.

This course gives you a comprehensive approach to monochromatic portrait painting, giving you a chance to bring a portrait to life from A to Z. Using a six-week pose from a live model, students will develop a monochromatic portrait using just earth tones, black and white. Beginning with drawing, you will learn how the concepts of contour and value to set the stage for success. This study will build towards a careful observation of value, showing the details of how a drawing can come to life in oil paint. From canvas toning, paint handling, and monochrome paint mixing to the delicate touches that make a painting a true portrait, you’ll learn everything you need to know to capture a human face vividly, systematically, and in a more lifelike way than ever before.

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Fall I Session Dates:

Scheduled occurrences for the next semester of this class are as follows:

Week	Date	Time
Week 1:	9/12/2025	2 - 5 pm ET
Week 2:	9/19/2025	2 - 5 pm ET
Week 3:	9/26/2025	2 - 5 pm ET
Week 4:	10/03/2025	2 - 5 pm ET
Week 5:	10/10/2025	2 - 5 pm ET
Week 6:	10/17/2025	2 - 5 pm ET

Before Class - Welcome & How to Prepare for Class
Week 1 - Introductions and begin the underpainting/block-in
Week 2 - Continue and finish underpainting
Week 3 - Establishing Shadow Masses
Week 4 - Natural Transitions and modeling forms
Week 5 - Hierarchy of Values
Week 6 - Bring painting to a conclusion

$360.00
In-Person
6 Weeks
Beginner to Intermediate

Meet Your Instructor

Jesse Stern

Instructor

Jesse Stern grew up in Cambridge, MA, later receiving a bachelor's degree from Vassar College. He completed the MFA program at The New York Academy of Art in 2012 and now lives and works in New York City. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States and is a part of many private collections around the country. He is currently represented by Arcadia Contemporary in New York.