Capture Emotion in Oil: A Portrait Painting Course by Jane French

Step into the world of Portrait Painting with Oil: Explore Light and Shade , a course by Jane French that will guide you through creating vibrant, expressive oil portraits. With over 19,479 students and an impressive 99% positive review rate, this course has become a favorite for artists eager to master the art of capturing light, shade, and emotion in their work. Jane, an award-winning painter from the South of England, is celebrated for her ability to bring faces and expressions to life on canvas. Her work has been featured in galleries, exhibitions, and even Sky Arts’ Portrait Artist of the Year . In this course, she shares her methodical approach to oil painting, teaching you how to mix colors, apply paint, and use light and shadow to create portraits that tell a story.

The lessons begin with foundational techniques, ensuring even beginners feel confident starting their artistic journey. You’ll explore materials, learn to mix and apply oil paints, and practice tonal values by painting simple objects in monochrome and full color. From there, Jane dives into the portrait project itself, guiding you through preparing your canvas, drawing your subject, and pre-mixing skin tones to achieve realistic results. One standout feature is her emphasis on breaking down complex processes into manageable steps—encouraging you to focus on details like mid-tones, highlights, and final touches to bring your portrait to life. With 18 downloadable resources included, you’ll have everything you need to practice and refine your craft. By the end, you’ll have completed a vibrant oil portrait that reflects your newfound expertise and creativity.

This course is ideal for artists passionate about portraiture, whether you’re a beginner or looking to sharpen your skills. Basic drawing and painting knowledge is recommended, along with familiarity with cropping and resizing photos. Students rave about Jane’s clear and engaging teaching style—one reviewer praised her for making an “intimidating subject feel manageable,” while another highlighted her insights on color mixing and evaluating progress. Ready to capture the essence of your subjects with oil paints? Join thousands of students who’ve already embarked on this creative journey. Click below to start today—it’s time to bring your portraits to life!