LEARN TO PAINT PORTRAIT LIKE A PRO!

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FREE Portrait Guide

Master Classical Portrait Painting

The Foundation of Gallery-Worthy Contemporary Work 

 

Enroll in START

START is for artists who want to paint portraits properly — with skill, clarity, and confidence.

 

This program is for you if:

  • You're self-taught and your portraits feel hit-or-miss — sometimes they work, often they don't, and you're not sure why
  • You've been painting for years but your classical foundation has gaps — proportions are off, skin tones go muddy, and you want to fix this properly
  • You're an abstract painter who wants to add strong figurative elements to your work — but you need the realist skill first
  • You're returning to painting after years away and want a clear, comprehensive method to follow — not scattered YouTube tutorials
  • You love contemporary figurative art and know that mastering classical portraiture is where it all begins
 

What you will find:

  • A proven, clear method that teaches you how to see, understand, and paint the human face with skill and luminosity.

 

What you won't find here:

  • Shortcuts or tricks
  • "Paint loose and expressive" without understanding structure first
  • Generic beginner content 

By the End of START, You'll Paint Portraits with Character

You'll have the confidence and technical skill to paint any portrait — any age, any lighting, any skin tone — in oil or acrylic or any other medium, without fear, confusion, or endless trial and error.

More specifically, you'll know how to:

✓ Understand facial anatomy and structure — not memorizing muscles, but learning the planes, axes, and proportions that make a portrait look right

✓ Draw portraits that capture likeness — using classical techniques with pencil and charcoal that translate to any medium

✓ Mix luminous, realistic skin tones — for any complexion (pale, olive, brown, black) without mud, dullness, or chalkiness

✓ Build portraits in structured layers — blocking in, modelling, rendering — so you always know what comes next

✓ Control color temperature and edges — the subtle shifts that make skin look alive instead of flat

✓ Paint hair that feels real — understanding structure, color, and how to simplify complexity

✓ Use the right materials confidently — which mediums, brushes, and surfaces to use and when

Most importantly:

You'll understand WHY you're making each decision, so you can apply this method to any portrait you paint — not just copy my demonstrations.

🎓What START Includes: 30+ Hours of In-Depth Demonstrations and Lectures 

 

REALIST PORTRAIT DRAWING
  • Head construction & proportions
  • Classical drawing techniques
  • Multiple demonstrations in pencil and charcoal
  • Downloadable references & lectures
  • Practice exercises and assignments

Why this matters: Drawing is where everything begins. You'll learn to see structure, not just copy what's in front of you.

 

MIXING REALISTIC SKIN TONES
  • Simple method for ANY skin tone (brown, white, olive, black)
  • How to balance cool/warm temperature
  • Avoid mud & dullness
  • Adapt to different lighting situations
  • Keep a clear, organized palette

     

    Why this matters: Muddy skin tones ruin portraits. You'll learn a method that works every single time.

PAINT BEAUTIFUL PORTRAITS 

  •  Two complete portraits from start to finish

  • Step-by-step process, composition, background

  • High professional standard

  • Taught in oil (fully applicable to acrylic)

    Why this matters: You'll see the complete process — not just techniques, but how to bring everything together into a finished, compelling portrait. 

Plus These Bonus Modules — Included in START at No Extra Cost

 

How to Paint Hair

Learn the fundamental guidelines for any hair type — red, brunette, blonde, curly, straight, afro. You'll understand which colors, brushes, and mediums to use for realistic, painterly hair.

VALUE: 75$
Mediums, Brushes & Surfaces

Learn which mediums and brushes to use — and when. Plus how to prepare your surfaces (canvas or panel) to achieve the best possible results.

VALUE: 55$
Focus Demos — Eyes, Nose, Mouth

Short, focused demonstrations breaking down each facial feature. Understand structure, light, color, and edges in a simple, practical way.

VALUE: 99$

 

Total Value: $628 Your Investment: $399 (or 4 payments of $110)

What Our Students Are Saying:

"This is my first oil portrait, and for the first time I was able to mix rich, luminous skin tones — without mud, without fear. I loved the process so much I can't wait to paint many more. Thank you!!"

Maria Gabriela S (NY)

"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 )

 Enrol in START today!

 

✓ 30+ hours of pre-recorded video training

✓Multiple Language Subtitles (Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Arab, Polish, etc)

✓All bonus modules (Hair, Brushes, Focus Demos)

✓ Lifetime access to all content and future updates

✓ Downloadable references and practice materials
✓ Access to the private Rosso Art School community

✓ Learn at your own pace — pause, rewatch, practice as needed

✓ Stream from any device

Pick your payment option

 

PAY monthly

$110

4 monthly payments

ENROL NOW

PAY one-time

$399

One-time Payment / Save $41

ENROL NOW

Here's what artists create 

These portraits were painted by artists of all levels — some had never painted in oils before, others had years of experience but were struggling with specific issues. All followed the same method you'll learn in START.

 

 

Visit the Student Gallery

Here's the full START Curriculum:

  1. Fundamentals Of Realist Portraiture PART I - focus on drawing

    6 lessons
    1. Chapter Overview
    2. General Axes
    3. Planes of The Head, Light & Shadow Shapes
    4. Mapping the Planes: Adapting the Asaro Head to Your Portraits
    5. PRACTICE AT HOME: Creative Excercises & References
    6. Appendix

  2. Drawing a realist portrait

    12 lessons
    1. Before We Start: Materials and Studio Set Up PART ONE
    2. Before We Start: Materials and Studio Set Up PART TWO
    3. Drawing Irene
    4. Drawing Sarah

    1. Drawing Ella in Charcoal

      1. Drawing With Charcoal - Intro
      2. ELLA PART I
      3. ELLA PART II
      4. ELLA PART III
      5. ELLA PART IV
      6. ELLA PART VI
      7. ELLA PART VII

    2. PRACTICE AT HOME: Creative Exercises And Assignment

      1. Creative Exercises And Assignment

  3. FOCUS ON: 5 mins videos on additional drawing topics

    11 lessons
    1. Chapter Overview
    2. Drawing the Eyes - Uxua
    3. Drawing the Eyes - Esme
    4. Drawing The Eyes - Marta
    5. Recap / How to Practice Eye Studies
    6. Drawing the Nose part one
    7. Drawing the Nose part two
    8. Drawing the Nose part three
    9. Drawing the Mouth part one
    10. Drawing the Mouth part two
    11. Drawing the Mouth part three

  4. Fundamentals of Realist Portraiture PART II - focus on painting

    5 lessons
    1. Chpater Overview
    2. Understanding How Light Affects Chroma & Temperature
    3. Mastering Temperature: How Classical Painters Created Depth
    4. Concluding Notes
    5. PRACTICE AT HOME: References and Creative Excercises

  5. Mixing Realistic Skin Tones For Any Complexion

    8 lesson
    1. Chapter Overview

    1. An Effective Method to Mix Any Skin Colour

    2. Colour Mixing Demo

      1. How To Organize Your Palette
      2. One Palette For Different Skins
      3. Mixing Skin Tones : White Pale Skin
      4. Mixing Skin Tones: Olive: Light Brown Skin
      5. Mixing Skin Tones: Dark / Black Skin
      6. Concluding Notes
      7. PRACTICE AT HOME: creative exercises and assignment

  6. Creating Impactful Portraits I : White & Pale Complexion

    23 lesson
    1. Overview of the lesson

    1. Before We Start: Surface, Composition & Transferring Our Drawings

      1. How to Start Your Portrait- Irene
      2. Tracing Your Drawings
      3. Transferring Your Drawings

    2. Before We Start: Creating A Colour Stusy Using The Zorn Study

      1. Color Study Intro
      2. Zorn Palette: Mixing Demo
      3. Color Study Irene Part I
      4. Color Study Irene Part II

    3. Start Painting: Blocking-in

      1. IRENE PART ONE - Blocking In
      2. IRENE PART TWO - Adding More Definition

    4. Phase Two: Get the Likeness Right

      1. Intro: Rendering
      2. Using The Mirror
      3. Rendering Part I
      4. Rendering Part II

    5. Pushing the Portrait Further: Finer Details and Rendering

      1. Pushing The Portrait Further: Intro
      2. Pushing The Portrait Further: Remix Your Colors
      3. Pushing the Portrait Further: Oiling Out
      4. Pushing the Portrait Further: Irene - Final Push

    6. Finishing Touches: Adding an Abstract Background & Varnishing Your Work

      1. Finishing Touches: Background
      2. Finishing Touches: Varnishing Your Work
      3. Finishing Your Work: Concluding Notes Irene

    7. Appendix:

      1. A Review of Oil Paint MEDIUMS
      2. PRACTICE AT HOME: creative exercises and assignment

  7. Creating Impactful Portraits II : Olive & Brown Complexion (model: Sarah)

    15 lessons
    1. Before We Start: Preliminary Thoughts on Composition
    2. Before We Start: Mixing Skin Tones for Light Brown/Olive Complexion

    1. Let's Start Painting: Blocking-in

    2. Painting Phase Two: Modelling

      1. SARAH MODELLING PART I
      2. SARAH MODELLING PART II
      3. SARAH MODELLING PART III

    3. Painting Phase III: From Modelling to Rendering

      1. From Modelling to Rendering - Intro
      2. From Modelling To Rendering Part I
      3. From Modelling To Rendering Part II
      4. From Modelling To Rendering Part III
      5. From Modelling To Rendering Part IV

    4. Painting Phase 4: Chest, Dress, Hair

    5. Painting Phase 4: Chest, Dress, Hair

      1. Chest
      2. Bodice
      3. Hair

    6. Final touches & Backgrounds

      1. Final touches & Backgrounds

    7. PRACTICE AT HOME: creative exercises and assignment

      1. PRACTICE AT HOME: creative exercises and assignment

  8. BONUS module: Painting Hair

    16 lesson
    1. Chapter Overview

    1. General Guidelines and Color Palette For Different Hair Types

      1. What to "Look for" when painting Hair
      2. Hair Colour Palette

    2. FOCUS DEMO: Painting Blonde Hair

      1. Painting Blonde Hair
      2. Painting Flowing Red Hair — Full Module (Locked)

    3. FOCUS DEMO: Painting Bangs

      1. Bangs - Intro
      2. Bangs - Part I
      3. Bangs - Part II
      4. Bangs - Part III
      5. Bangs - Part IV

    4. FOCUS DEMO: SHORT HAIR & BALD STYLE

      1. Intro
      2. Bald Hair Part I
      3. Bold Hair Part II
      4. Short Hair Part I
      5. Short Hair Part II

    5. PRACTICE AT HOME: Creative Exercises And Assignment

      1. Creative Exercises And Assignment

  9. Conclusion

    1 lesson
    1. Course Recap

  10. APPENDIX: ART SUPPLIES & STUDIO TOOLS

    4 lesson
    1. A Review Of Oil Paint Mediums

    1. Brushes & Brushwork

      1. Brushes - Intro
      2. Brushes - A Review
      3. Brushwork

Hi, I'm Rosso.

 

Portraiture has been my passion for sixteen years. Over that time, I've explored every stage of this craft — from copying and classical realism to developing my own contemporary style.

Through START, I share the same classical foundations that shaped my journey. You'll learn the essential principles of portraiture — structure, proportion, light, color, and composition — in a clear, step-by-step way that works.

I now share my work and teaching with a community of over 190K artists on Instagram — and through Rosso Art School here.

 

Read my bio here

FAQ 

For less than the cost of a single weekend workshop, you'll gain lifetime access to a complete classical portrait method — the foundation that makes all contemporary figurative work possible.

Join START Program Today!

  

PAY monthly

110$

4 monthly payments

  • Instant Access to all Pre-recorded Content

  • 30+ hours of video lessons

  • Multiple Language Subtitles (Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Arab, Polish, etc)
  • Monthly website/social features

  • Artist Community

  • Alumni discounts on art supplies and future events

  • email support
  • Lifetime Content
Enroll in START

PAY in full

399$

MOST POPULAR - Save 41$

 

  • Instant Access to all Pre-recorded Content
  • 30+ hours of video lessons
  • Multiple Language Subtitles (Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Arab, Polish, etc)
  • Monthly website/social features
  • Artist Community
  • Alumni discounts on art supplies and future events
  • email support
  • Lifetime Content  
Enroll in START

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