Take your portrait paintings to the next level in this masterclass portrait painting workshop. If you haven’t attended Richard’s portrait painting for beginners workshop it is vital that you have previous experience of portrait painting in oils before booking a place on the masterclass.

This workshop is an opportunity to learn from a professional portrait artist in a professional studio. Richard has exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery and with the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and his work is renowned both in the UK and internationally. For Richard, there is nothing quite like the experience of painting from a live model and this masterclass workshop is a way for artists to engage in this practice with expert guidance.

What will I learn?

• How to create an Alla prima portrait from life.

• How to achieve a realistic likeness.

• How to utilise a limited colour pallet to achieve a wide range of flesh tones.

• How to approach painting portraits from a model rather than photographs.

Using artist quality materials, you will begin by making a quick study of the model on oil painting paper before completing a finished painting on canvas. Richard will demonstrate his approach to painting from the model, the importance of considered observation and close attention to colour mixing. As each portrait painting workshop is only open to four participants you will receive plenty of 1-1 guidance throughout the day.

Experience portrait painting like the masters!

Your Tutor
Richard Kitson studied at the University of Leeds and holds a master’s degree in fine art from Leeds Arts University. Richard completed his PGCE in 2014 and has ten years teaching experience in formal education. Richard’s work has been featured in selected group exhibitions including the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery (2025), the Royal Society of Portrait Painters (2020, 2023, 2025), Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait Prize (2011) and Figurative Art Now (2021). Richard has exhibited solo shows in the UK and internationally and was a participant in Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year in 2018. His work hangs in various public and private collections. Richard delivers workshops and demonstrations to venues across the north of England and is the portrait painting tutor at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire.