How to paint hair without making it look amateur and streaky...
Discover the simple techniques that empowered me to paint hair!
Hair Painting Online Course
This is a self-paced online course that you gain access to as soon as you sign up!
This two hour online class will guide students of all levels through the creation of a well-structured alla prima portrait painting with convincing hair. This is a streamed online course and you will gain access to the entire class as soon as you sign up. You will have lifetime access to the class so you can return to the material again and again!
We will explore the use of different brushes, sanding, scraping and glazing to mimic the effects of hair using paint. There will be a discussion on how to mix different hair colors, (such as blonde, red, black, grey and brown hair) as well as a concentration how to create convincing hair textures. Participants can use any medium they like in this course. I will be doing the demo in oils and will provide a suggested supplies list for those interested in using oils. By the end of the course students will have a solid understanding of how convey the texture of hair using paint as well as an understanding of how to mix colors to portray the different shades of hair
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LESSON 1 : PALETTE SET UP
Colors On My Palette
- Titanium White
- Cadmium Lemon
- Cadmium Orange
- Napthol Red
- Permanent Alizarin Crimson
- Yellow Ochre
- Burnt Sienna
- Viridian Green
- Cerulean Blue
- Ultramarine Blue
- Prussian Blue
- Mars Black
13. Base Shadow Mixture: Cadmium Orange and Ultramarine Blue mixed to a greenish brown
14. Grey: Titanium White and very small amount of Mars Black mixed to a mid-tone grey
15. Blue Mixture: Titanium White and medium amount off Ultramarine Blue
16. Pink: Titanium White and bit of Napthol Red
17. Base "Flesh" Color: Titanium White, Cadmium Orange and bit of "Blue Mixture" (#15)
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The first stage is to learn how to mix the paint for various hair colors. Then we take a deep dive into created a refined painting of hair.
LESSON 2: MIXING VARIOUS HAIR COLORS
We start by taking a look at how to mix the colors for various hair colors creating color studies for blonde, black, red and grey hair.
LESSON 3: COLOR LAY IN
Next we move to creating a finished painting of brown hair, starting with a color lay in where we map in the over all light side and shadow side of the different elements of the painting.
LESSON 4: REFINEMENTS
We end with the finishing touches, adding the highlights and taking a close look at edge quality.
About Kristy Gordon
Kristy Gordon has been teaching and conducting painting workshops since 2008. She is an adjunct professor at the New York Academy of Art and has taught at numerous schools and academies including the National Academy in NYC, and The Academy of Realist Art in Ottawa and Boston. Gordon has exhibited her work in solo and group exhibitions throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and China. Her work has earned numerous awards including the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant and an Exceptional Merit Award from the Portrait Society of America. She has been widely featured in magazines, art publications, radio and television shows, including International Artist, Fine Art Connoisseur, The Artist’s Magazine, Southwest Art and Bravo!’s Star Portraits. Kristy’s paintings hang in more than 600 collections worldwide including the Government of Ontario Art Collection and The Clearing House in NYC.
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Liz has mastered painting the mouth!
“I have learned so much from Kristy Gordon's feature painting workshops and each time I take a workshop I learn something new. Painting and drawing are so complex and Kristy's workshops break it down in steps that I can begin to understand and implement. She explains values, shapes and color mixing. Am finding these workshops invaluable and will continue repeating them to continue to improve.”
~ Liz McCarthy, Alumni
Julia went from a complete beginner to finding her voice and selling her paintings!
“I used oil paints for the first time in a workshop with Kristy in 2016. I was greatly inspired by her work and teachings, where I learned how to incorporate imaginative elements in the style of realism and portraiture. Kristy has always encouraged me to use my intuition and creativity in addition to the technical skills while painting. In doing so, I’ve explored creative ideas in my work, for example the idea to create a woman holding a glowing sun in a painting went viral on Instagram and got over 5 million views, which lead to commissions and great business! I thank Kristy for being an amazing mentor that has helped me improve technically as well as find my own creative voice.”
~ Julia Jenkins, Alumni
Today Miriam earns a full-time income from her paintings!
“When I first started painting at the beginning of the pandemic I was clueless but eager to learn. Kristy changed my whole outlook on painting. She taught me to look at painting holistically- explaining the foundations of composition, color, and about the many elements beyond the paint and paintbrush that make up an engaging and effective portrait. She has a wonderful way of instilling confidence and in short time, I was able to go from beginner to full time artist. My path here would have been a lot longer and a lot more complicated had it not been for Kristy’s guidance.”
Miriam Hoffman, Alumni
Jetta has gained confidence in her oil portrait paintings!
“I first heard of Kristy Gordon in 2018 and since that time, I have taken part in her online classes and two of her in-person live model workshops. Every time, I learn more and more and I have become more confident with oil portraiture with her instruction and amazing tips. Kristy is an amazing teacher and is extremely patient and helpful and really set me up for success in oil portraiture.”
~ Jetta Williams, Alumni
Mary went from artistically blocked to renewed passion!
“I found myself at the proverbial 'fork-in-the-road' - watching all my friends retire and wondering if I had made a wrong decision concentrating on an art career all these years. I had lost my passion! Fortunately I had enough good sense left to join Kristy's Art Mentoring Program - a series of interesting, thorough, and fun assignments with live zoom discussions and gentle critiques. My passion is back! And with that comes a new energy which brings consistent commissions as well as many exhibitions! Thank you Kristy, for finding me at that fork and offering a helping hand, gently whispering 'this way!' and inviting me to walk alongside you, guiding me on the road less traveled."
~ Mary Rose, Alumni
