Join this immersive three-day Mastering Acrylic Portraits workshop designed for both beginners and intermediate artists who want to build confidence in painting expressive acrylic portraits from a photographic reference.
Working with a carefully selected limited palette, students will learn how to mix a wide range of natural skin tones, simplify the portrait process, and create realistic, lifelike paintings.
Using a step-by-step approach, participants will develop essential portrait painting skills, including accurate drawing, understanding facial proportions, values, colour mixing, edges, and finishing techniques. The limited palette encourages better colour harmony while helping artists focus on value, form, and temperature rather than relying on numerous colours. Throughout the Mastering Acrylic Portraits workshop, live demonstrations, guided exercises, and individual instruction will support each student’s progress, regardless of experience level.
Read more
What Students Will Learn
- How to select and interpret a photo reference for painting.
- Facial proportions and accurate placement of features.
- Drawing and transferring the portrait to canvas.
- Mixing realistic skin tones using a limited acrylic palette.
- Understanding light, shadow, and values.
- Creating the illusion of form through colour temperature and edges.
- Layering and blending acrylic paint effectively.
About the tutor
Haydee Noemi Flores Perez
Haydee Noemi Flores Perez is a self-taught artist and passionate art educator with over 15 years of teaching experience. Throughout her career, she has inspired students of all ages and skill levels to develop confidence, creativity, and strong artistic foundations.
Working across a variety of mediums, Haydee teaches acrylic painting, charcoal drawing, oil painting, mixed media, and digital painting. Her workshops focus on building confidence, understanding colour and value, and creating expressive portraits using simple, effective methods. Her approachable teaching style makes her workshops both engaging and accessible for beginners while offering valuable insights for more experienced artists.
In her portrait painting workshops, Haydee guides students through the process of capturing likeness, light, colour, and expression using practical techniques and a supportive, step-by-step approach. She believes that every student has the ability to create meaningful artwork with the right guidance and encouragement. Whether you are picking up a paintbrush for the first time or refining your portrait skills, Haydee’s goal is to help you enjoy the creative process while building confidence and lasting artistic skills.
About Flatford Mill
Residential accommodation at Flatford Mill is provided within our historic Grade I listed buildings. Rooms are clean, comfortable and functional, but are intentionally simple and should be considered field centre accommodation rather than hotel-standard accommodation. Many guests value the character and heritage of the site, although facilities reflect the age and nature of the buildings.
Whilst most rooms are either en-suite or have a dedicated bathroom, there are some rooms in The Mill that share showers and toilets at the end of the hall. If this is unsuitable for you please make the office staff aware upon booking or as soon as possible.
Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable
Explore our range of portrait courses hosted by our engaging tutors and learn from their expertise and skills. Our art courses are a chance to meet like-minded people and a chance to unwind from everyday life. They are a great opportunity to experience the UK’s glorious countryside surrounding our field centres.
This course is open to participants aged 18 and over only. For under-18s, please contact the centre directly or see our young people courses and activities for families.
Example Timetable
Check-in is between 1600-1800, if you are arriving after 1800 please advise us, so we can ensure you are advised of access codes, room key location, and room location.
You will meet the tutor at dinner, and you will have your first session after dinner.
What's Included
-
Expert Tuition -
Free Wi-Fi -
Full Board Accommodation -
Hot and Cold Drinks -
Picnic Lunch
Full board accommodation and picnic lunch is available for resident bookings only.
Refreshments are included for all, but non-resident bookings are advised to bring a packed lunch with you.
Before You Attend
What to bring
Limited Colour Palette
Professional grade acrylics (e.g. Winsor & Newton professional acrylic paint)
- Titanium White
- Yellow Ochre
- Cadmium Red Medium
- Burnt Umber
- Ultramarine Blue
- Ivory black
Optional:
- Vermilion
- Viridian
- Cerulean Blue
Brushes
- Flat #8
- Flat #4
- Filbert #6
- Round #2
- Detail liner #0 or #1
Surface
- For the final portrait 9 × 12 in (23 × 30 cm) or 11x 14 (28×35) Pre-primed gesso canvas or canvas panel
- A4/ 9×12 in acrylic canvas paper pad for sketching practice.
- Semigloss varnish
Drawing Supplies
- Charcoal sticks
- HB pencil
- Kneaded eraser
- Ruler (optional)
- For the Final Portrait: Carbon or graphite
Opportunities to attend this course
-
Fri 22, October 2027 7:00pm - Sun 24, October 2027 4:00pm
If you are booking a resident place (sole occupancy or shared) and would like an en-suite room, please call the centre directly on 01206 297110
