Unlocking the Secrets of Painting Skin Tone (In-Person)

Unlocking the Secrets of Painting Skin Tone: In-Person

Tabitha Whitley | Spring I | Mondays: Jan 12 - Feb 23

Class Description:

Discover how to paint lifelike skin tones using just three colors.

In this six-week course, students will explore the power of a limited palette to portray a wide range of complexions with confidence and accuracy. Working from photographic references, we’ll complete two portrait paintings, each based on a model with a distinct skin tone. Through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on practice, students will learn to premix a versatile palette capable of rendering realistic flesh tones across the spectrum. This class is ideal for painters looking to deepen their understanding of color theory, simplify their process, and gain a new perspective on painting the figure.

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Spring I Session Dates:

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

Week	Date	Time
Week 1:	1/12/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 2:	1/26/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 3:	2/02/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 4:	2/09/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 5:	2/16/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 6:	2/23/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET

Before Class - Welcome & How to Prepare for Class
Week 1 - Core Concepts & Drawing the Portrait
Week 2 - Mixing the Palette & Starting the Painting
Week 3 - Light Transitions & Warm-to-Cool Shifts
Week 4 - Facial Features & Painting Demonstrations
Week 5 - Hair & Continued Portrait Development
Week 6 - Finalizing Portraits & Homework Project Review

$360.00
In-Person
6 Weeks
Beginner to Intermediate

Meet Your Instructor

Tabitha Whitley

Instructor

This exhibition was curated by Tabitha Whitley. Whitley, born in Brooklyn, New York, is a multifaceted artist known for her vibrant paintings, luminous drawings, and bold prints. Her work delves into themes of identity, heritage, and interconnectedness with nature. Through the use of vivid colors in her paintings, Whitley adds a dynamic layer of expression to her art. Whitley earned her BFA in Painting from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2009. Followed by an MFA in Painting from the New York Academy of Art in 2011, where she also served as the President of the Alumni Association and on the Board of Trustees. Her work has been widely exhibited, with notable shows including the "Love Black" exhibition at the Springfield Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Museum’s “Brooklyn Artist Exhibition.” Whitley’s art has also garnered attention in esteemed publications such as The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian. Currently residing in her native Brooklyn, New York, Tabitha Whitley continues to pursue her studio practice, creating art that reflects her deep engagement with personal and universal themes.