Character & Mood Portraits with David Bannister. Sat 13th June 2026

Contemporary Portrait Painting in Acrylics

Saturday 13th Jun 2026, 10am to 4pm

£75, Students will need to bring materials

This one-day portrait painting workshop explores how character and emotion can be conveyed through colour, tone and expressive mark-making. Suitable for beginners and those with some painting experience, the session focuses on capturing mood rather than perfect likeness. Through guided demonstrations and individual support, participants will develop a painted portrait that reflects personality, atmosphere and a contemporary approach to the human face.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

• Surface to paint on – canvas, board or heavy watercolour paper- no smaller than A4.
• A desktop or standing easel.
• Palette – there will also be disposable palettes available for mixing paint
• Brushes – please bring various sizes- preferably long handled.
• Palette Knife – various shapes. Alternatively bring an old credit card or flexible filler scraper.
• Acrylic colours – Please bring, at the minimum White, Blue, Red, Yellow and Black. The following colours would be advantageous: – Titanium White, Ultramarine Blue – Cerulean Blue – Cadmium Red  – Crimson – Cadmium Yellow  – Lemon  Yellow  – Viridian –  Burnt Sienna – Raw Umber –  Payne’s Grey.  Student quality paints are acceptable.
• Kitchen Towelling or cotton rags.
• Containers – 2 small jars or dippers for your water.
• Latex Gloves – optional
• An apron, or old clothes to wear.
• A printed image or digital image, ( as a reference ) of a portrait you wish to paint from.

PROVIDED:

• There will only be a limited number of standing easels available, so it is recommended that students bring their own. Adjustable worktop easels are also acceptable.
• There will be various acrylic mediums available to use.