Self-paced portrait painting course
Paint portraits that don't just look real — they feel real
25+ hours of step-by-step instruction in realist portraiture, based on 17 years of practice. No prior experience needed. Suitable for any medium.
✓ Skin tones for any complexion (pale, olive, brown, dark)
✓ Multiple drawing demonstrations
✓ Two full portrait demos in oil, start to finish
✓ Colour Theory for portrait painters
✓ An introduction to my materials and surfaces, including painting on panels
✓ Lifetime access
$299 $499 or six payments of $59
ENROL IN START
A realist portrait is built, not copied
Think of it like a building.
Beneath what we see is a solid structure: the general axes, the planes and the basic anatomy of the head.
On top is the surface, what we actually see: light, values and colour.
Many portraits fail because the painter works only on the surface, copying what is visible without understanding what sits beneath it. The portrait may look accurate in places, yet somehow still feel flat or wrong.
What lies underneath heavily influences everything we see. The surface only becomes convincing when it is grounded in a solid structure.
START teaches you how to build portraits from the inside out, so they do not simply look like what you see. They feel solid and have depth.
Here's exactly how START is structured:
The main curriculum consists of 3 core modules and more than 25 hours of in-depth teaching — covering realist foundations, multiple drawing demonstrations, two full portrait painting demonstrations in oil, plus extra lectures on colour theory.
MODULE 1 — Foundations of Realist Portraiture
If you've ever wondered why your portraits look flat, overworked, or why the proportions never quite feel right, this module will give you the answers.
We'll explore the planes of the head, skull anatomy, values, edges and the visual principles that create the illusion of form, volume and depth.
MODULE 2 — Drawing Realist Portraits
Drawing is the foundation of portraiture. Here you'll develop the essential skills of observation, proportion, likeness and structure.
Through a series of guided drawing demonstrations and practical exercises, you'll develop portraits with confidence before ever picking up a paintbrush.
MODULE 3 — Portrait Painting in Oil
In this module I show you my complete approach to portrait painting in oils — from palette selection and skin tones to brushwork, composition and expressive backgrounds. You'll also follow two full-length demonstrations featuring two different models and complexions.
In addition to the three core modules, you'll also find these practical lectures:
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.
Mediums, 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.
THIS MONTH'S BONUS MODULES
Included at no extra cost when you enrol:
VALUE $99
Skin Tones Made Simple
A simple and effective method for mixing realistic skin tones for any complexion — pale, olive, brown or dark. By the end you will know exactly what to look for, and how to mix what you see on your palette, without guesswork and without muddy colour.
The method works with oils, acrylics and any other painting medium.
VALUE $105
Painting Hair: Any Hair, Any Colour
One of the most requested modules in the programme.
Over the years I have painted every type of hair imaginable. I share the principles, shortcuts and techniques I use for any hair type, colour or style — red, brunette, blonde, straight, curly, afro, flowing, tied up, and even bald.
VALUE $99
Focus Demos — Eyes, Nose, Mouth
Short, focused demonstrations breaking down each facial feature on its own, away from the pressure of a whole portrait.
You will see how structure, light, colour and edges work in each one — the small decisions that make a feature sit properly in the face rather than float on top of it.
Everything I teach in this programme is based on what I learned from painting hundreds of portraits
— across a wide range of skin tones, ages and genders.
(click on an image to expand)
By the end of START, you will be able to achieve:
✓
A true likeness
Paint portraits that look like your model (from life or photographs)
✓
Accurate proportions
Build the head correctly — anatomy, planes and features rendered properly.
✓
Believable skin tones
Pale, olive, brown and very dark — mixed without mud or chalk. No more guessing.
✓
Value, colour and edges
Know how to use them deliberately to push a portrait further.
✓
Confidence to experiment
Get fluent with materials, different surfaces and approaches to portraiture.
✓
A repeatable process
Imagine being able to draw and paint any model, any complexion, any light.
If you are wondering
“Could I ever do that?”
That is the point of the programme, not an argument against it.
It took me years to learn this. You do not have to.
Even if you have no background in art, or you are just starting out, you can follow this. I have broken the classical principles into simple, easy steps that you can apply in your own work immediately, and see the difference from the very first lesson.
“This is my first oil portrait. I was very hesitant to enrol because I had never painted one before.”
For the first time I was able to mix rich, luminous skin tones — without mud, without fear. I loved the process so much I cannot wait to paint many more.
Maria Gabriela S. · New York
“Although I already paint portraits, your method has shown it to me in a whole new light.”
A whole new approach to portrait painting. I love your explanation of the axis and plane shifts on a face — thank you for explaining it so clearly.
ANNE G. · GERMANY
Student work - before the lesson, and after
“I had drawn portraits before, but without the information and guidance — for example, which pencils to use and how to use them — that I got from Rosso’s demonstration, I had never achieved such a delicate and precise result. I was very surprised and pleased.”
Danielle C., after her first two drawing exercises [before the lesson (left ) - after the lesson (right)]
SO, HOW MUCH does IT COST?
START is now relaunching at $299
This is the lowest price ever and it will increase as enrolments progress.
Now — relaunch
$299
The lowest it will be
The relaunch price.
Next
$399
After the relaunch
The first rise.
Afterwards
$499
Standard price
Where START settles.
Here's everything you get:
The core programme
Bonus modules
Your payment options
Every option includes lifetime access. Nothing expires, and you can upgrade to another programme later, paying only the difference.
One more question
There are many portrait courses. Why this one?
It's true: there are many excellent portrait painters teaching online. Every artist who has spent years painting and experimenting will have developed a particular approach.
So what makes START different?
1. It is shaped by professional practice — not technique in isolation.
START is not purely an academic course teaching you how to shade a form or mix a colour. Everything inside it comes from years spent in front of the canvas: solving problems, experimenting with materials and creating finished work for exhibitions, publications, collectors and a wider audience.
You will learn the essential principles of portraiture — but through the eyes of a practising professional artist, and in a way that can inform your own artistic development from the beginning.
2. I show you exactly how I achieve the qualities you see in my work.
You have seen my portraits: their intensity, emotional depth and the way I combine classical principles with my own materials, surfaces and brushwork.
Inside START, I explain how and why my portraits look the way they do — and how each choice affects the finished result.
If you are drawn to my work, this is your opportunity to understand the process from the inside and begin applying those principles to your own portraits.
3. Eight years of teaching have shaped every lesson.
I have taught artists online and in person for more than eight years. Everything I have learned from seeing where people struggle and listening to their feedback has been funnelled back into this programme.
The lessons have been continually refined to avoid unnecessary jargon, get straight to the point and help you move forward faster.
I am genuinely humbled by what my students are achieving — but you don't have to take my word for it. See what they say below.
“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 learned so much, and you give me an unbelievable great motivation to paint in every free minute.”
And that is beside my full-time job.
Martina S.
“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
“From the moment I joined the school everything changed for me.”
Since learning with Rosso, I am painting more than ever, receiving commissions, selling work, and even seeking for gallery representation!
Fritz Fostner · Germany
“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 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 · Maui, Hawaii
“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 · Chicago
“After art school and motherhood, I thought my painting days were behind me — until Rosso’s mentoring reignited my passion and gave me purpose again.”
Paula Michele Wagoner · United States
“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
“The biggest takeaway was learning to capture the shadows and values first, to create the form.”
I used to struggle with the 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 · New York
"Simplifying my palette, and realising that just a touch of the right colour could cool everything down, changed my approach"
Saniya · Paris
“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.”
Through your guidance, one can gain not only new knowledge but also fresh perspectives and creative motivation.
Dicsöfi Adrienn
“No matter where you are in your art journey, following the lessons will improve your own individual style.”
Being part of a worldwide group will give you support.
Nelly le Comte · Australia
“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 recommend this course to anyone, because you gain so much confidence — you can see it in the new brushstrokes.”
I had not realised how important drawing is for understanding form. I do it very often now, and it gets easier every time.
Lucia · translated from German
“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
If you are drawn to abstract-figurative work — the grounds, the texture, the mixed media — but you know your portraiture is not yet where you want it to be, this is where you start.
Get the portrait right first. Everything else becomes possible.
ENROL now for $299 - or $59 month!
More questions? Here's some frequently asked ones:
What level is this for?
I paint in acrylic. Will this work for me?
Do I need to know how to draw first?
I don't have much time. How long will I have access?
Can I upgrade to COMPLETE later?
I mostly paint abstractly — will this still help me?
How do I know which programme is right for me?
About Rosso
My work has been exhibited internationally, published in art magazines and shown on television. With Michael Harding and Cass Art I have developed a ten-colour oil set for portraiture, available from September 2026.
I founded Rosso Art School in 2024 to bring together everything I had learned. Since then I have taught more than a thousand artists, online and in person, and the community keeps growing.
17 years painting · 1,000+ students · 215K on Instagram
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