a Portrait Painting Workshop
with Rachel J Ingvad
When we look out into the world we trust what we see with our eyes and believe we know reality, yet when we start painting we discover that’s not what appears on the canvas!
This is a 4-day workshop where we explore perceiving, discovering and painting by creating a self portrait. We will look at our face, find our archetypal proportions and transform common and personal misconceptions. We will learn to turn to our neighbor to improve our sight, and through the work become more familiar with acrylic paints, colors, each other and most of all ourselves!
Where: at Groh Farm in Wilton, NH
When: July 24-27 2025
Why: to practice courage, increase our capacity to see, deepen our self knowledge and, of course to co-create a more beautiful future our heart know is possible.
Cost: $300 early bird/ $375 after May 31, 2025
In addition to the painting sessions and yoga classes your fee includes paint, one canvas, delicious organic lunches, snacks, coffee and tea.
What you need to bring:
For Painting:
1-4 pictures of yourself, finding several will just give you more choices… i often choose one that has good contrast…. get one that really shows your face, but also feels like you.. don’t trip too hard… even an mediocre photo can become a spectacular piece of art!
And wear cloths that aren’t precious or pack an apron, cause once acrylic dries it doesn’t come off!
Feel free to bring: if you paint at home and want to use your own brushes feel free to bring them.
For Yoga:
cloths that you can move and sweat in, leggings rather than sweat pants.
Yoga mat and any props you like to use
canvas:
12″X12″ – 24”X24″ any size in between, rectangle or square or whatever size you want Lael! I prefer the gallery style canvas that has a thick side, but whatever moves you works.
paints: we will be using acrylic paints so bring what you have for a more comprehensive list see below.
brushes:
a small, medium and large, the large should be at least 2.54 cm but preferably larger. I sometime buy a nice bigger brush at the hardware store (1 inch!)
One or two big jars or plastic yogurt containers per person for water
Some old rags, like an old sheet or teeshirts work the best
General instructions for most painting classes :
Clothing: When acrylic paint dries it will stay on your clothing, so wear something that you don’t mind getting paint on.
Photo: Bring 1-4 pictures of yourself or someone else. Choose a subject that you have emotions about, around or for. Pick a photo that has high contrast and really shows your (their) face, as well as feels like you (them). Don’t worry too much about the photo, even an mediocre photo can become a spectacular piece of art!
Canvas: 30cmX30cm- 60cmX60cm” any size in between, rectangle or square. I prefer the gallery style canvas that has a thick side.
Acrylic Paints: if its your first time using acrylics buy a primary colour starter kit prepackaged or put together one with at least a red, a yellow, a blue, a white and a dark purple (instead of black). Essentially several different colors you like, but here are suggestions:
**titanium white,
titanium buff white ( off white)
*azo yellow
*dairylide yellow
naples yellow
gold (metallic)
cadmium orange
*pyrrol red
*cadmium red deep hue
quinacridone magenta
**dioxazine purple
*cobalt
*phthalo blue
phthalo green (blue shade)
medium gel or glaze (satin, matte or gloss)
*any variety of the primary colors, one cool and one warm..
**I use a lot of these in my work
Brushes: a small, a medium and a large brush for acrylics, the large should be at least 2.54 cm ish.. i am not going to check 😉 also its worth not getting the cheapest set because they often shed.. so if its between one good one or three not so good ones, get the good one
Water Container: Jar or plastic container for paint, greek yogurt containers or big glass jars are optimal
Rags: old t-shirt or sheet work great, for general clean up and occasionally to wipe some thing off the canvas
peace and love, rachel
