Expressive Oil Portraits: Foundations and Fundamentals
Miriam Baranov| Workshop| Oil October 11th - 12th, 2025
This small-group workshop (4–7 students) is ideal for both beginners curious about portraiture and experienced painters wanting to reconnect with fundamentals in a fresh, expressive way.
We’ll work from both life and photo references, focusing on rapid studies that explore gesture, structure, and character—staying within a representational/classical approach while pushing color vibrancy, simplification, and personal voice. You’ll be encouraged to experiment with color, texture, and composition in a relaxed, supportive environment.
We’ll cover:
– Basics of mixing flesh tones
– Tools and materials that make portrait painting more efficient
– Strategies for expressive yet accurate studies
– Color and compositional studies to strengthen your work
There will be ample time for individual guidance, mini demos tailored to your questions, and one-on-one feedback to meet you where you’re at in your practice.
Day 2, we’ll work from a long pose from life—putting all the concepts together into a more developed portrait.
Location: Miriam’s Studio, Franklinton Arts District, 400 West (Exact location provided upon registration)
Cost: $375 per person (this includes model fee)
About Location:
The workshop is held in my studio in the vibrant Franklinton Arts District. Before or after class, enjoy the nearby riverwalk trail into downtown, explore murals, or stop by local coffee shops, a market, and casual restaurants. It’s a great place to spend the day surrounded by art and community.
Supplies:
Exact list will be provided closer to the workshop date. In general you will need basic oil paints set for portraiture, oil brushes, palette, oil paint surface, gamsol, sketch paper and chalk or charcoal.
Payment & Policies:
- Payment is required to secure your spot.
- To cancel with a full refund, email miriambaranovart@gmail.com at least 3 weeks before the workshop. No refunds will be given after that unless canceled.
- If the workshop is canceled due to low enrollment (determined 2 weeks prior) or unforeseen circumstances (at anytime), you’ll receive a full refund.
To register, complete the registration form and submit payment via Venmo, or Zelle.
After you submit the registration form, I will review your information and send you a payment link if there is an available spot in the workshop.
About the Artist (Instructor)
Miriam Baranov (website) is a classical realist portrait painter trained in classical art. Her work is rooted in a deep understanding of anatomy, light, and expression, bringing life and emotion to each piece. Miriam teaches workshops and private lessons, helping artists refine their skills with a structured and insightful approach.
Columbus Art Workshop 🙂
