In this course, professional contemporary realist gallery painter Hollis Dunlap teaches you his approach to painting both the portrait and figure in oils. Hollis has refined his painting approach, first learned at the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, over decades of painting and teaching.

You will work along with Hollis through each of the stages of painting, from a basic block-in of the big masses, to the final rendered picture.

Hollis begins by introducing the materials he uses and why he uses them, then demonstrates his painting process with two main projects: a one-day portrait painting and a four-day figure painting. Along the way, you will learn foundational painting topics such as understanding the form, the importance of value, and the selection and use of color.

In this first lesson, Hollis covers the materials he uses for both portrait and figure painting. He discusses mediums, pigments, brushes and supports. Hollis also shares his experiences and preferences and gives you all the information needed to follow his process.