Realistic Portrait Painting with Marvin Mattelson
Monday July 6 - Saturday July 18 • 10am-5pm
Fee: $1800 (includes lectures) or $900 to audit all workshop sessions and lectures without painting in class.
Sign up now to paint or to audit
Special Lecture Series:
There will be five evening lecture sessions, during the two weeks of the Realistic Portrait Painting workshop, included in the tuition. All lecture times are 6:00-8:30 pm. Lectures are open to the public at the cost of $50 per lecture.
Monday, July 6: Introductory Slide Lecture: "Everything I know about Painting I learned at the Met" which outlines the historical precedent for the ideas that are laid forth in the workshop.
Tuesday, July 7: Color Theory
Wednesday, July 8: Color Mixing & Palette Set-up
Monday, July 13: Modeling Factors: Turning the Form
Wednesday, July 15: Marketing and Promotion
Marvin’s approach to portraiture is based on the idea that creating an illusionistic painting requires far more than merely copying what lies before you. It requires the ability to understand and then purposefully modify what you see. Special emphasis will be given towards enhancing the illusion of three dimensional reality on a two dimensional surface. Sound strategies for getting a good likeness, modeling and turning the form, as well as finding an efficient and repeatable way to mix the subtle nuanced colors of life will be addressed in great depth. The juxtaposition of objective observation and subjective interpretation are the keys to mastering a truly classical realist approach to painting. Marvin feels the most effective way of teaching is by demonstrating and explaining each and every step of his methodology. He will spend approximately one half of the workshop sessions demonstrating the following: • Transparent under painting technique. • How to achieve accurate drawing and values. • Preparation and use of the Mattelson Flesh Palette. • Scumbling and wet-into-wet paint handling. Marvin will work one on one with each of his students during the class sessions when he’s not demonstrating.
Supply List
Buy supplies for this class easily from this online shopping list that we've created!
Please contact Kristy or the instructor for the password to access the list.
Student Feedback
Going into your drawing workshop, I had hoped to gain a fresh perspective and learn some fundamentals I could apply to what I already knew about drawing. I had no idea what I was about to experience. Like so many of your students, I thought I had some knowledge on the subject, but right away I realized the smartest thing I could do would be to leave behind what I knew and fully embrace your incredibly unique methodology. You didn't just teach me to draw, you taught me to see — a universal skill I can apply to everything I create, regardless of the medium.
So few people have the ability to operate at the level you do artistically, but even fewer have the skills and desire to teach others how it's done. You took what you learned about us as individuals and you developed custom, innovative teaching methods using them to push each of us to new levels. You understand how people learn and seem to genuinely thrive off of your students' progress. Selfless with your wealth of knowledge, you jumped at any opportunity to share what you know with your students. After only six days, every one of us walked away with more knowledge than we could have ever hoped to achieve in that timeframe and for that amount of money. This workshop was, without a doubt, the best investment I've ever made in the development of my skills as an artist. Mary Beth Lumley
Marvin is an incredible artist, as well as being an awesome teacher. His humor & enthusiasm make for a fun learning environment. Marvin's logical algorithm makes it easy to replicate the process within each student's individual style. Nita Bakay
The best class I ever took...I learned so much. It was like being rescued!!!!! Angelo Grisafi
I would highly recommend learning with Marvin. His technique and teaching style are 2nd to none. I feel so fortunate that I found this class so early in my life & art career. Lynn Neuman
Marvin's class turned my painting on it's head! My painting has improved dramatically and my head spins every time I see just how versatile the palette is. He's literally changed my life!!! Line Lagace-Basque
Worth the money - you won't be disappointed. Marvin puts a lot of effort into making this a fun, information filled workshop. Would highly recommend it regardless of skill level. Lucy Stephenson
Absolutely the best instruction I've ever had. I feel my BFA was wasted compared to the quality of instruction, patience and encouragement from Marvin. Marvin knows portraits & CAN TEACH! He's willing to share his knowledge & does it well. Marcia Cunningham
In my 20 years of painting & education, I have never had such a comprehensive & informative class. I now understand why I am doing what I'm doing. The great thing about Marvin's class is that he can teach a beginner all the way to the seasoned artist in the same class. I have never had such a fabulous teacher!!! Claire Bradford
I learned more in 2 weeks with Marvin than in 7 years and an MFA in art school. Jenny Lyon Poggi
I've taken a number of painting classes over the years, and learned (and forgot) a lot of rules about painting but this was the only class I've taken that I came out of able to paint any better than I could at the beginning of the class. I think Marvin is a master teacher, as well as a master artist. I'm so glad I took this class! Pat Holland
The most intense class in both lecture and demo. Marvin is a passionate teacher, caring to make sure his students learn the concepts. He has a great personality. I feel I learned things about color, values, shapes, & composition which will make me a better artist. This class was a great value for the price. Jackie Smith
Excellent teacher & thorough. I finally understand how to paint values. Joan White-Spunner
You can also check Marvin's feedback page to see what others have said after attending previous workshops: http://www.fineartportrait.com/workshop_feedback.html
Instructor Bio
Marvin Mattelson is an award winning oil portrait painter who draws on over thirty years of professional experience as an artist. His paintings are included in the permanent collections of the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. In addition to winning First Prize in 2006, the Portrait Society of America also awarded him a Certificate of Merit in 2005, a Merit Award in 2004, as well as their Best Portfolio Award for the past three years. He received the Award of Merit in the Artists Magazine Art Competition in 2002. Marvin is a distinguished educator, who teaches classes at the School of Visual Arts in New York City in addition to conducting portrait and figure paintings workshops around the country. Marvin is a member of the American Society of Portrait Artists, The Portrait Society of America, and the Connecticut Society of Portraits and was on the leadership committee of the New York Society of Portrait Artists. He lives on Long Island in Great Neck New York with his wife and their two sons. www.finartportrait.com
