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Artists Association of Nantucket
ART CLASSES EVENTS

Course Description

Heather V McLeod shares her process for creating narrative portraits using the alla prima method of oil painting. Heather will lead students through the journey in creating her own work while students will work to create their own original oil paintings. The class will discuss facial structure, flowers, compositional analysis, color theory and narrative development to create engaging self-directed work.

Each class will begin with a short demonstration that is followed by one-on-one instruction. The workshop will discuss creating a likeness, composition, color and symbolism. Photographs as reference will be utilized as students work to create a portrait painting that is not only skillfully executed, but contains an interesting narrative for the viewer to contemplate. All levels welcome, a basic knowledge of drawing is helpful.

For questions or assistance please contact Elizabeth Buccino, Director of Education*

Cancellation Policy

AAN depends upon student tuition to continue to offer classes and workshops. Due to our commitment to small class sizes and the hands-on nature of art education, we are greatly impacted by cancellations. Nevertheless, we do understand that plans change. If you need to cancel your reservation for a class or workshop, please note our cancellation/refund policy here and let us know as soon as possible.

Materials

PLEASE NOTE: The AAN’s Painting studio is equipped with easels and glass top carts for palette use and daily personal storage. Due to this studio’s evening classes in a variety of media, please be prepared to leave your cart and easel clean, store work in progress in drying racks provided, and transport your supplies to and from the studio each day. Storing unused paint in a plastic palette bin is suggested. Thank you in advanced for your consideration.

Oil Paint:
(My full palette but please feel free to add or remove on your own)

    • Titanium white
    • Yellow ochre
    • Cadmium yellow
    • Cadmium yellow deep
    • Burnt Sienna
    • Red ochre
    • Alizarin crimson
    • Cerulean blue
    • Ultramarine blue
    • Raw umber
    • soft bristle brushes (I prefer filberts)
    • palette knife
    • linseed oil
    • Paper towels
    • Canvas
    • photo reference (portraits, flowers, other paintings etc.)
The Narrative Portrait, 18+

Heather V McLeod

Heather V McLeod is an artist exploring identity and the psychology by which we perceive others. Interested primarily in portraiture and representative work, Heather creates pieces with the intent of capturing the character of the figure portrayed. She plays with the use of symbolism and concealment to enhance the narrative and evoke a quiet yet humorous side to portraiture. Born and raised in the greater New York area, Heather received her MFA from The New York Academy of Art in 2021 and her BFA from Rhode Island School of Design in 2016. In 2017 she was awarded a Fulbright Study/Research Award in Perugia, Italy where she lived and worked for a year. She is a recent recipient of two Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grants and The Leslie T. and Francis Posey Scholarship. She has been featured in a number of exhibitions in the U.S. and abroad and has been the recipient of a number of art related awards, including most recently AXA Art Prize Finalist.
Full Artist Profile