Princeton Art Studios

Create a family portrait from a photograph with acrylic paint. 

Dates: August 4-7

Time: 1:30pm - 4:30pm

This four-session workshop invites students to explore the versatile medium of acrylic paint by creating a family portrait from a photograph. Ideal for beginners and intermediate painters alike, this course emphasizes foundational techniques in acrylic painting while guiding students through the process of developing a meaningful and personal artwork.

Acrylics offer the flexibility of quick drying times, ease of layering, and vibrant color possibilities—distinct from oils, which allow for extended blending and slower drying. The course begins with an overview of acrylic techniques and a discussion of key differences between acrylics and oils, helping students understand the unique strengths of this medium.

Students will prepare a gridded photocopy of their chosen family photograph, a classic method for achieving proportional accuracy when enlarging images onto canvas. Through preparatory sketching and color studies, participants will analyze relationships between values and tones, laying the groundwork for a successful painting.

Instruction includes:

• Sketching small color studies to explore color harmony and relationships.
• Preparing an underpainting to establish tonal values and guide the composition.
• Transferring outlines and composition onto the canvas with accuracy and intention.
• Building the painting layer by layer—working from shadow to light and gradually introducing color to bring the portrait to life.

Over the course of four three-hour sessions, students will receive step-by-step instruction, individualized feedback, and structured exercises designed to build confidence and skill. By the final session, each participant will complete a portrait that captures the essence of their subject—an artwork to be proudly displayed at home.

This course offers a structured yet creative environment, blending classical methods with a contemporary subject matter. It provides the kind of disciplined training found in our adult programs while encouraging personal expression and storytelling through paint.