Bold Colour Portraits for Beginners
Ever wanted to try painting a portrait?
Artist Danny Metz takes away the mystery & hosts this step by step easy guide to abstract portrait painting.
Create a bold, colourful portrait inspired by Fauvism in this lively mixed media workshop. Perfect for beginners and curious creatives, this class will guide you step by step through the process of building an expressive face using charcoal, pencil, oil pastel and drawing inks.
To make the session easy to follow and teach effectively, everyone will begin with the same reference image - David Bowie. This allows you to focus on learning the techniques with confidence before experimenting more freely. If there is time, you may also have the chance to start exploring your own photo, or to learn tips from Danny how to approach a portrait from real life, time allowing.
You will begin by tracing the portrait in charcoal, then refine smaller features in pencil before layering in colour. Cool tones will be added with oil pastel through the shadows, while warm areas will be brought to life using vibrant drawing inks. Along the way, we will look at Fauvism, explore a few contemporary artist references, and use the colour wheel to better understand bold and unexpected colour choices.
A relaxed and inspiring class for anyone wanting to loosen up their drawing style and experiment with expressive portraiture.
What’s included:
- All materials and equipment, mixed media on artist quality paper
- Step-by-step guidance from your tutor
- Use of charcoal, pencil, oil pastel and drawing inks
- Tea, coffee and biscuits
Suitable for:
- Beginners
- Adults who enjoy drawing and painting
- Anyone interested in colour, portraiture and mixed media
Our Mission:
Inspire, Educate,
Amid the rush of modern life, creativity often takes a backseat. At Clever Hands, we believe that making art nurtures openness, relaxation, and fresh perspectives. Our goal is simple: to make art accessible for everyone — whether that's through hands-on classes, thoughtfully curated kits, or bite-sized online tutorials & video demonstrations.
FAQ's
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We deliver across the UK, with free delivery on orders over £50. International delivery is available via our Etsy shop.
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UK orders usually arrive within 3–5 working days. International orders may take longer depending on location.
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Unopened kits can be returned within 14 days of purchase. Unfortunately, we can’t accept returns once a kit has been opened.
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Absolutely. Our kits make wonderful presents, and we’re happy to send them straight to the recipient on your behalf. Each kit is thoughtfully packaged, and you can add a personalised gift message at checkout to make it extra special.
Why Choose Clever Hands?
Founded by Artist/ Maker Catherine Carmyllie, our studio celebrates shared learning and creativity.
Our kits arrive beautifully packaged, beginner-friendly, and complete - delighting both new and seasoned makers, beautifully packed with everything you need to find a new creative hobby.
Whether you join us in person, shop online, or watch from afar, we offer accessible creativity for everyone.
From the studio to your doorstep, each kit is prepared with care, all our kits and supplies make great gifts.
