Self-Paced Course / 10+ hours
Portrait Painting in Grisaille:
A Complete Guide
Master the classical technique of grisaille and bring portraits to life. Through precise tonal layering, refined brushwork, and anatomical insight, achieve depth, form, and a strikingly realistic likeness.
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What you'll learn:
Explore the monochromatic stage of portrait painting through the classical technique of grisaille. Develop your ability to model form as you refine each feature through value, structure, and gradual tonal transitions. This process deepens your sense of dimensionality, strengthens anatomical understanding, and expands your control over light and form.
As the second step in a layered approach—building on underpainting and leading toward full colour—this stage establishes the tonal architecture that future layers rely on, cultivating clarity, depth, and realism that carry into every painting that follows.
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Achieve a convincing likeness using tonal values
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Model subtle gradations of light and shadow
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Create depth, volume, and three-dimensionality
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Define the planes and contours of facial features
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Master blending techniques to unify values and edges
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Prepare the portrait for colour layers
SELF-PACED
Watch and rewatch at your own pace from the comfort of your home.
community
Share your work in our private community. Give feedback and learn from others!
TIME & FORMAT
10+ hours of curated content segmented into easy-to follow chapters.
LIFETIME access
Yours forever to stream. Come back to it anytime, anywhere.
HD Video
Enhanced viewing experience — sharper and clearer, like you're right there with the instructor.
Workshop Chapters:
Meet the instructor
Justin Ogilvie
Justin Ogilvie (MFA) is a Vancouver based artist, award-winning educator, and co-founder of Canvas Method. His practice bridges traditional and contemporary painting, hovering between figuration and abstraction.
Having completed his MFA degree and drawing upon 25+ years of teaching experience, Justin developed a unique instructional method to help artists cultivate an authentic and resilient painting practice, where technique, creativity & conceptual strategies are integrated in a holistic way.
A passionate and supportive instructor, he is continually dedicated to fostering growth and breakthroughs in the studio. Justin has exhibited internationally, and is part of private and public art collections.
Patrick Jones - Course author
Self-PAced Course / 10+ HOURS
Master Portrait Painting in Grisaille:
A Complete Guide
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