Susan Ploughe

Portrait Essentials

 

OILS OR PASTELS

 

Friday, Saturday & Sunday
April 17, 18 & 19, 2026
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
$360.00

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:

Some portrait experience required. Learn how to paint portraits that look fresh and lifelike. Topics will include:

  • Beginning your painting in the right way
  • Flesh tones - seeing them. mixing them
  • Eyes that look alive
  • Eyebrows - capturing their unique character
  • Mouths that are soft and expressive
  • Noses - Emphasizing their shape, not nostrils!
  • Many more facial elements

Susan will demonstrate every feature, so that you know how to approach each one. You will build your skills by doing lots of studies, rather than finished portraits.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Susan holds a BFA in painting from Carnegie Mellon University. A native of Pennsylvania, she has lived in Lake Zurich, Illinois for over 20 years. After many years of working as an illustrator and graphic designer, she turned to oil painting full-time in 2002. Since then, her work has been juried into many respected shows, including the Oil Painters of American National Exhibition. She has won awards in the OPA Eastern Regional, Salon International, The American Impressionist Society, Plein Air Easton and other exhibits. Susan’s work has appeared in Southwest Art, American Art Collector, Fine Art Connoisseur, International Artist, and American Artist magazines.

Website:   www.susanploughe.com
 

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