Who said Classical Portraiture and Abstraction can't belong together?
They certainly can. COMPLETE is where I show you how.
Inside, I teach you my entire process, step by step: the realist side, the abstract side, and how I bring them together to create work with a contemporary edge.
You’ll learn how to:
- Draw and paint realist portraits with strong proportions and loose, expressive brushwork
- Mix radiant skin tones for all complexions
- Create rich, textured grounds and backgrounds in mixed media that connect with your figures and portraits
- Develop a consistent personal style
As you progress, you’ll build the skills and confidence to turn your ideas and sketches into striking, original paintings.
Press play, and I’ll show you around.
60+ hours of demonstrations · Downloadable resources · Subtitles in multiple languages · Self-paced · Lifetime access
It all started by accident
My studio in London.
You might know me for paintings that blend traditional oil portraiture with textured abstract grounds in mixed media.
Well, let me tell you something. My style did not come from theory books. It came from years of experimenting, failing and trying again, until one day, while I was covering up yet another painting of my daughter that wasn’t working, things finally clicked.
The texture, the energy, the spontaneity and the harmony I had spent years looking for were right there in front of me.
I teach the same way I learned: the classical rules first, colour, proportion, composition, and then the freedom to experiment, take risks and overcome the fear of failing. Seventeen years of studio practice and my students’ feedback have shaped the method into what it is today.
A few of my paintings
Who is this programme for:
COMPLETE is for artists of any level and medium. Whether you’re taking your first steps in portraiture or already painting and ready to explore further, it gives you the skills and creative direction to develop your work.
It is particularly suited to portrait artists who want to bring more expression into their work, and to abstract painters who want to introduce figurative elements. It is also for anyone who feels stuck and needs a new perspective and contemporary techniques.
“One year ago I would never have thought I would be able to paint like I do today.”
Nathalie Fortier
Canada
“I believe I can do it now, after decades of hiding behind a commercial artist’s career.”
Malia Vrooman
United States
“Selling two artworks last month has given me the confidence to work towards being a full time artist.”
Nelly le Comte
Australia
What's inside
The main curriculum consists of over 60 hours of in-depth teaching. It starts with a breakdown of the method I use to combine portraiture and abstraction, followed by step-by-step demonstrations of each technique.
INSIDE MY PROCESS — How I Create My Paintings
From the reference to the final artwork: how I create my real paintings, not studies. Every step of my creative process, clearly explained. This module lays the foundations for what comes next.
MODULE 1 — Head Anatomy for Artists
To make a portrait strong and convincing, we start with what lies underneath: how the skull is structured, how the features align, how to simplify the head into planes, and how light affects the form.
MODULE 2 — Drawing Realist Portraits
Before colour comes in, we draw. Through three extended demonstrations in pencil and charcoal, plus focused exercises, you’ll learn to get accurate proportions, and to use light and shadow to give the head volume.
MODULE 3 — Portrait Painting in Oil
Move away from copying photos and create expressive portraits that capture the likeness and personality of your subject. You see how I use colour to add vibrancy and life, and how I adapt my palette and mixes for different complexions, in two in-depth demonstrations with different models.
MODULE 4 — Abstract Grounds in Mixed Media
Next, we build rich, textured grounds with acrylics, spray paint, gold leaf, stencils and distressed paper. You’ll finish with your own surfaces, ready to become the base for a portrait or an abstract work in their own right.
MODULE 5 — Creating Original Paintings
This is where everything comes together. In this last module, you practise how to progress from selecting references to making small studies, to turning them into final paintings ready for varnishing. This gives you a process you can repeat to build a personal body of work.
Also included
Understanding Colour
Most people see colour as just its name — red, brown, blue. But colour is more. Learn the three qualities — hue, value, chroma — that every portrait painter needs to see before even reaching for a brush.
Medium, Brushes & Surfaces
Learn how to use mediums and brushes — and when. You will also be guided to prepare your surfaces, whether canvas or panel, to achieve the best possible results in your paintings.
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Bonuses
Three of my most popular mini-courses, free when you enrol.
Sourcing Photos & Working with References
Behind every great painting is a great reference. Here I share how I built a library of over 45,000 photographs, including how I find and photograph models, source, select, and manipulate references for stronger paintings.
Learn how to create an endless source of ideas and build references that support your artistic vision.
$99 Free
Skin Tones Made Simple
Here I share a simple and effective method for mixing realistic skin tones for any complexion — pale, olive, brown, or dark. By the end of the module, you'll know exactly what to look for and how to mix what you see on your palette, without guesswork and without muddy colour mixtures.
This method works with oils, acrylics, and any other painting medium.
$99 Free
Painting Hair: Any Hair, Any Colour
One of the most requested modules in the programme.
Over the years, I've painted every type of hair imaginable — from highly realistic portraits to bold, expressive interpretations. I share the principles, shortcuts, and techniques I use to paint any hair type, colour, or style: red, brunette, blonde, straight, curly, afro, flowing, tied up, and even bald.
$105 Free
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I have learned so much and created so many new artworks, and they have gained a whole new level of depth and expressiveness. Thanks to your guidance, I finally dare to paint textured backgrounds, beautiful portraits and even hands — something I never thought I would feel confident doing.
Martina Schubert
Germany
Will I really be able to do this?
After years of teaching, I have seen the same obstacle again and again: what feels like a lack of talent is usually a lack of method. When you don’t know what to look for, how to correct what isn’t working, or what to do next, disappointing results quickly cost you your confidence.
With a clear process to follow, skills can be learned and your ideas have room to develop.
Don’t take my word for it.
Paintings by students of Rosso Art School
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Let's recap
Here's everything you receive when you sign up.
| The programme | |
| ✔ 60+ hours of my teaching | $799 |
| ✔ Lifetime access, including every update I add | Included |
| ✔ Exercises to practise as you go | Included |
| ✔ Subtitles in Spanish, Polish, Italian, French and more | Included |
| ✔ Printable guides to keep beside your easel | Included |
| My three most popular mini-courses | |
| ✔ Sourcing Photos & References, with my reference pack | $99 |
| ✔ Skin Tones Made Simple | $99 |
| ✔ Painting Hair, any hair, any colour | $105 |
| A special invitation, when you enrol by 31 December | |
| ✔ Your Painting Goals for 2027, our first live group session of 2027 | $140 |
| You won't learn on your own | |
| ✔ A private community of artists, where I join the conversation too | Included |
| ✔ Email support whenever you have a question | Included |
| ✔ A certificate when you complete the programme | Included |
| ✔ Early access and discounts on my workshops and events | Included |
| Total value | $1,242 |
And here's how much it costs when you join today:
End-of-year offer
$799 $599
until 31 December, or 6 monthly payments of $109
Plus a special invitation
Your Painting Goals for 2027
Join our first live group session of 2027 with me on Zoom. Bring your work and your goals, and we draft a path to get there, together. It is designed to help you make the most of the programme, and to connect live with me and other artists in the community.
This New Year session is my gift to you.
You can then continue with the monthly sessions, if you wish.
Learn on any device
Watch the lessons on your computer, tablet or phone. Learn at your own pace, with lifetime access.
Printable guides and references
Download and print the guides and references that go with the lessons, and keep them beside your easel while you paint.
Private Artist Community
Join a private community of artists. Share your work in progress, ask questions and get feedback. I am in there too.
Questions?
Here are the ones I'm asked most often.
What level is COMPLETE for?
I've done portrait courses before. How is this different?
Will I get feedback on my work?
What happens after the January live session?
How long do I have access?
Can I enrol now and start later?
Can I use acrylics or another medium?
I'm an abstract painter. Will this programme make sense for me?
Didn't find your answer? Write to us.
Yes, I'm ready to join →
How Rosso Art School began
I began running workshops in 2018, in the UK, the United States, Italy, France and Spain. As my Instagram following grew, more and more artists asked me to teach online. In 2024, I founded Rosso Art School to bring everything together in one place.
Since then, over 550 artists have enrolled in the school. I have partnered with major art brands, and recently created a ten-colour oil set for painting skin tones with Michael Harding and Cass Art.
More from artists who studied with me
“Selling two artworks last month has given me the confidence to work towards being a full time artist.”
No matter where you are in your art journey, following the lessons will improve your own individual style.
Nelly le Comte
Australia
“I went from stiff portraits to contemporary work with ‘crazy’ backgrounds.”
I’m savouring every morsel of information and I can’t believe how much I’ve learnt so far, and how you have motivated and excited me to work hard and experiment.
Sharon Blake
United Kingdom
“I’m receiving commissions and selling my work.”
I have always loved expressive portraiture, but balancing painting with running my own hotel left me little time. Since learning with Rosso, my work has completely transformed. I am painting more than ever, receiving commissions, selling work, and finally have a clear direction for my practice.
Fritz Forstner
Germany
“I finally love painting backgrounds.”
I always struggled with backgrounds. This programme was the breakthrough. I finally understood how to make the background and the figure work together. Learning to work with texture and simplify my palette completely changed my approach.
Saniya
France
“This journey pushed my work to an entirely new level.”
Rosso has an incredible ability to simplify complex concepts. Her process makes even the most challenging backgrounds and compositions feel achievable and above all truly enjoyable. Learning with her — both online and in person — has been transformative.
Mariam Sandhu
United States
“Would you recommend Rosso’s programme?”
Yes — and I have. The reason is Rosso herself. By looking at the work of a teacher, you quietly experience the level of craftsmanship that makes your inner voice say: this is the one, this person has something I want to learn. If you can look at Rosso’s work and her process and say those words, you have found your answer.
Pat Bereskin
United States
“Rosso’s guiding presence and experimental approach brought the painter in me back.”
After art school, motherhood, and even spinal surgery, I thought my painting days were behind me — until her mentoring reignited my passion and gave me purpose again.
Paula Michele Wagoner
United States
“I never thought I could paint portraits like this.”
I was very hesitant to enrol because I had never painted a portrait before. But Rosso made skin tones so easy to understand that I completed my very first portrait, and I couldn’t believe the result. I’m learning so much and loving every minute of it.
Maria Gabriela S.
United States
“I’ve felt creatively blocked since Covid — and suddenly, ideas returned.”
A new series is beginning. For me, this is a victory over myself. Thank you, Rosso. I’m taking steps I thought I could no longer take.
Florence Liger d’Avignon
France
“I believe I can do it now, after decades of hiding behind a commercial artist’s career.”
I find realism often stiff, but Rosso has captured a movement and energy that is inviting.
Malia Vrooman
United States
“The school is amazing — I love the community, the exchange, and the constructive feedback we receive.”
I’ve learned so much about interpreting colour. Highly recommend.
Justin S.
United States
“I started seeing better. My ability to create a likeness has grown leaps.”
It was such an amazing feeling to be able to keep trusting the process. One of my paintings was accepted into our annual juried exhibition. I had entered many times, and finally got a piece in.
Sabine Ronge
United States
“The biggest takeaway was learning to capture the shadows and values first, to create the form.”
I used to struggle with the human form and the proportions. I saw a genuine improvement. It is giving me more confidence to approach larger, full-bodied subjects.
Kassie Pen
United States
“You made mixing skin tones so easy that I finally understood, and my portraits now are so alive.”
Many thanks for making me see and understand painting.
Gaby S.
United Kingdom
“Rosso gets a feeling for what your strengths are, and helps you improve in the places where you are struggling.”
Nicky Stefanelly
United States
“I learned so much, and you give me an unbelievably great motivation to paint in every free minute.”
And that is beside my full-time job.
Martina S.
Germany
“One year ago when I began, I would never have thought I would be able to paint like I do today.”
You’ve given me the foundation I needed to take my work to another level. Thank you so much!
Nathalie Fortier
Canada
“My biggest aha moment was understanding how to use warm and cool tones.”
My work has become more structured and confident. I understand techniques better and I pay more attention to details.
Nada Kharma
United States
“It is a wonderful programme to learn to paint and to draw. Superbly explained.”
I understand more and more why it is so important to separate the three tone values — light, medium and dark.
Christiane Westermann
Germany
“I would definitely recommend the programme to other artists.”
Both to those who want to improve specific technical skills and to those who are simply looking for renewed inspiration.
Dicsöfi Adrienn
Slovakia
“It is so much easier to evaluate your own work when you know what to evaluate.”
The things I have learned so far would be useful for anybody serious about becoming better.
Thomas Juulsgaard
Austria
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There's nothing more rewarding than seeing your own vision come to life through a painting.
If that's what you want for your work, start your journey here.
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