PROGRAMS OVERVIEW

Create Contemporary Figurative Paintings That Feel Alive, Expressive, and Unmistakably Yours

In three clear stages — Realism, Abstraction, and Integration — you’ll gain the skills and confidence to paint with structure, emotion, and freedom

Find Your Perfect Program

Are you frustrated with portraits that feel flat or stiff — even when the likeness is right? 

Or perhaps you’ve mastered realism, but aren’t sure how to push your paintings further — how to loosen up, use colour boldly, and create work that feels truly yours.

You are not alone — I've been there too.

After years of painting within the limits of realism, I developed a way to merge classical skill with expressive freedom — a process that reignited my own creativity and now transforms my students’ work.

Here you'll learn to refine your skill, trust your intuition, and develop your own visual language through paint.

No matter your style or experience - realism, abstraction, or something in between.

The Method I Teach Is Simple — and Remarkably Effective

It was honed over sixteen years of intensive practice and teaching — and you can learn it in just three clear stages.

This method unfolds through three stages:

Realism
Abstraction
and Integration

REALISM #1

Master drawing, proportion, gesture and true likeness. Learn to mix skin tones for any complexion — and paint portraits that jump out of the canvas!

ABSTRACT #2

Explore texture, mark making and colour through mixed media to create expressive, contemporary grounds that radiate energy and movement.

INTEGRATION #3

Bring realism and abstraction together in paintings that reflect your individuality — balancing structure with spontaneity, precision with emotion.

By following a clear framework that guides you through every stage of the painting journey — from the first ideas and sketches to creating fully accomplished works — you’ll feel confident, inspired, and truly in control of your creative process. Painting will once again become an elevating, joyful experience.

Here's What Students Say About This Method

_{"Rosso is able to work individually with each person and gets a feeling for what your strengths are and help you improve in places where you are struggling" (Nicky is a portrait now photographer incorporating painting into her practice!)}

_{Nicky Stefanelli (California)}

Hey Rosso! First, I want to thank you for the great program...You have influenced me and my work in such a positive and fulfilling way. Thank you so much" - Fritz has produced the most amazing work adapting my technique to his own very distinct style!

_{Fritz Fostner (Germany)}

^{"Many thanks for making me see and understanding painting" (Gabriela's holding her first portrait in oil using my technique!!)}

_{Maria Gabriela S (NY)}

Ready to start your own transformation?→ Explore the Core Programs

Whether your main focus is mastering portraiture, developing expressive large-scale figurative works, or learning through live critique and community — there’s a path designed for you.

Choose the program that fits your goals and pace:

START Program

If your focus is: Portraiture & Realist Foundations

Learn how to draw and paint portraits that feel alive — mastering structure, proportion, and skin tones for any complexion or light.
Perfect if you want to strengthen your skills, gain confidence, and develop a solid technical base for your art.

Pre-recorded lessons • Instant Acess Lifetime content • 25+ hours of video

Explore START

COMPLETE Program

If your focus is: Blending Realism and Abstraction

Follow my complete painting process from concept to finished work.
You’ll learn colour, composition, creative brainstorming, and how to build expressive paintings that merge classical skill with freedom and personality.

Pre-recorded lessons • Instant Acess Lifetime content • 60+ hours of video

Explore COMPLETE

Master Path

(most popular!)

If your focus is: Going in-depth, with Live Interaction, Feedback and Support

Everything from the Complete Program — plus monthly live sessions, group critiques, and advanced topics .
Connect with a supportive community of artists from around the world and continue refining your voice with personal feedback

Pre-recorded + Live classes • Instant Lifetime access • 80+ hours of content

Explore MASTER PATH

Not sure which program is right for you?

Each program offers a rich blend of in-depth, step-by-step painting demos, downloadable lectures and analyses, plus a library of high-quality references to support your studies. The difference lies in how much content you unlock — and how personally you want to be guided (stream-only, or stream + live online classes with feedback).

Each program gives you lifetime access to a supportive creative community — a place to stay connected, share your progress, and stay inspired long after you finish the lessons.

Explore the Programs

Keep reading to know a bit more about me and where it all began.

I'm Rosso.

After years of painting within the limits of realism, I developed a way to merge classical skill with expressive freedom — a process that reignited my creativity and completely transformed my work and career.

Since then, my paintings have been exhibited internationally, — at the MEAM Museum in Barcelona, Mall Galleries in London, and as part of the Soho House Collection —and featured in publications such as Colossal, My Modern Met, The Artist Magazine (UK), International Artist Magazine and more.
I’ve also appeared twice on Sky Portrait Artist of the Year; benn finalist in the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and ModPortrait, and won Jackson’s Painting Prize and the Women in Art Prize.

This evolution is what I now teach inside this schol — helping artists move beyond imitation, and create work that feels authentic and resonates with a wider audience.

Read my full bio here

Featured in and supported by leading art institutions and brands worldwide:

Since opening the doors in 2024, over 200 artists have joined this growing community — and here’s what they’ve shared about their experience

_{"I love your explanation of the axes and plane shifts on a face and although I paint portraits your method shone a whole new approach to portrait painting. Thank you for explaining this in such a clear way!!"}

Janet Moule, US. (Complete Program)

^{"I really appreciate all the hard work and content you are putting in to your art school . I’m still on the drawing realism section as 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. When I’m not doing the art I’m thinking about it !"}

Sharon Blake, UK (Master Path)

^{"What I wanted to express is my big thanks to you for two main things: that I learned so much and that you give me a unbelievable great motivation to paint in every free minute / hour (beside my fulltime job)"}