An artist is painting a portrait of a woman on a canvas in a studio. The artist uses a reference photo of a woman in a white dress and black beaded necklace. The studio has art supplies, water bottles, a coffee cup, and a photo on the easel.

Past Courses

"In his figurative work, GUSTAVO RAMOS (b. 1993 Brazil) not only delivers technically superb paintings, but also captures the human spirit. Expressions, body language and postures are both impeccably depicted and incredibly vibrant. This is why Ramos is rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after portraiture artists and his oil paintings have been exhibited at world-class venues, including the European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and Sotheby's in New York City."  —Scottsdale Artists School, 2022 Catalog

November 5th, 6th & 7th, 2025 (Wed to Fri)

3 Day oil painting workshop

What you will learn

Description

What is it that gives a masterful oil painting its jewel-like quality, mysterious luster and lasting freshness? The extensive properties of oil paint have enabled the creation of iconic portraits that prove difficult to decipher. In this 3-day workshop, Ramos will walk students through his award-winning portrait method from the ground up.

Working from the live model, the artist will demonstrate his unique way of dissecting visual information into a rich and dynamic likeness. Students will have hands-on experience with Ramos' sensitive color palette and particular brush-handling to lay thick impastos and translucent shadows. One-on-one instruction will be given to internalize the principles of light, structure, shape design, tonal abstraction and broken color. Lively class discussions and rigorous focused time on the easel will equip the beginner or advanced student with a newfound arsenal to create luminous professional portraits in a way that only oil painting at its highest level can achieve.

What you'll learn

Optimizing the qualities of opaque and translucent paint to enhance the illusion of space. How to apply rich impastos while maintaining delicacy of color and form. Interpreting the "broken color" of the flesh with a logical yet intuitive approach.

  • A mentality of building layers even when painting Alla Prima.

  • Dependable methods of checking proportions and capturing an accurate likeness.

  • In-depth critiques to help each artist meet individual goals.

  • Indirect painting methods such as glazing and scumbling, and when to use either.

  • Maintaining dynamic flesh tones while using muted colors.

  • A hierarchy of importance among visual elements to avoid mistakes.

  • Dependable methods of mixing accurate skin tones.

  • A mindful way of blending.

  • The brush handling required to paint seamless transitions.

  • Steps to take before starting a new layer over dry paint.

  • How to adjust and maximize the medium as the painting progresses.

  • Exactly which brushes and pigments the artist finds most dependable.

  • A system of mixing on the palette that abstractly mirrors the painting. How to make drastic changes to facial features even late into the painting.

  • Making adjustments to large forms without needing to repaint entire areas. In-depth discussions covering a variety of topics

About the artist

Featured in Southwest Art Magazine's "Artist to Watch: The Editor's Choice for Up-and-Coming Talent"

         As a young boy growing up in Brazil, Gustavo Ramos loved to draw, but a fine-art career wasn’t even a notion in his mind. Then, when he was 15, Ramos moved with his family to the United States. The change was startling for the teenager, who didn’t know any English when he arrived at his new high school in Arizona. “I had to depend a lot on observing body language when trying to communicate” Ramos recalls now, a decade later.

           It proved to be a seminal time for the budding artist, whose careful observations of people’s expressions, gesticulations, and postures motivated him to depict the figure in pencil. “It gave me an edge in depicting those subtle bodily gestures that help tell a story,” he says. Determined to paint like the old masters, Ramos exclusively worked from life during his training. Now, when using reference photographs he has taken of his models, says Ramos, “I can conceptualize form. I’m able to look at the flat surface of a painting and picture space inside that surface.”

           At 26, the Phoenix-area artist is already snapping up top accolades for his sensitive, contemporary portrayals of the figure in oil. In works like INFINITY—a painting starring his wife that touches on the mystery of life after death and the concept of eternity—he has been exploring storytelling techniques that convey more than just someone’s likeness. For guidance, he often studies Rembrandt van Rijn’s evocative portraits. “Rembrandt created the sense of a real person who had real experiences,” says Ramos. “That’s something I try to do with my work.” —Kim Agricola

Southwest Art, March/April 2020 issue

EDUCATION

Southern Virginia University | BA 2017

Florence Academy of Art | Summer 2018


AWARDS

  • Boynes Emerging Artist Award - Finalist, 2021

  • "People and Figures" International Artist Magazine - Finalist, 2021

  • Year of Rembrandt International Contest, Royal Talens - Winner, 2019

  • Artist's Magazine Annual Competition - Top 10 Finalist, 2019

  • Artistic Excellence, Southwest Art Magazine - Runner-Up, 2019

  • Art Renewal Center Salon - Staff Award, 2019

  • ARC Featured Artist Award - Springville Museum of Art, 2019

  • Portrait Society of America International Competition - Select 50, 2019

  • James C. Christensen Scholarship, 2018

  • The John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Foundation Fine Art Award, 2018

  • Manifest Gallery, International Drawing Annual - Finalist, 2017

  • The Florence Academy of Art Summer Scholarship, 2017

  • The John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Foundation Fine Art Award, 2017

  • Southern Virginia University Annual Art Show – Best of Show, 2017

  • The John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Foundation Fine Art Award, 2016

  • 1st Place – Greater Arizona Winston Visual Art Competition, 2016

  • Meridyth M. Kidd Memorial Arts Scholarship, 2016

  • SVU's "The Review" Literary Journal - First Place Artwork Award, 2016


PRESS

  • "The Lunar Codex" - Revista Veja, 2024

  • “The Paintings of Gustavo Ramos” Feature Article - Southwest Art, 2023

  • Society of Classical Poets, Journal XI featuring "Portrait of a Girl", 2023

  • “Gustavo Ramos: The Evolution of a Master Artist” - AATONAU, 2023

  • Think Big by Painting Small with Gustavo Ramos - Artists Network Illuminate Event, 2022

  • Gustavo Ramos: Layers of Refinement - Art's Cool Podcast, 2022

  • "Illuminated Form: The Paintings of Gustavo Ramos" Artists Magazine May/June Feature Article, 2022

  • Society of Classical Poets, Journal X featuring "Mother and Child", 2022

  • “4 Stages of Bringing A Portrait to Life: An Oil Painting Demo” - Artists Network, 2022

  • Society of Classical Poets, featuring "Longing" Journal IX page 14, 2021

  • Boynes Emerging Artist Award - Interview Article, 2021

  • International Artist Magazine issue #138 "People and Figures", 2021

  • Arcadia Contemporary Promo, "Woman in Red" featured in 1st page of American Art Collector, Feb., 2021

  • "Artists Making Their Mark: Three to Watch" Fine Art Connoisseur - September/October, 2020

  • Blank Magazine NYC - December 2020 issue, 2020

  • "Artist to Watch: The Editor's Choice for Up-and-Coming Talent" Southwest Art - March/April, 2020

  • The Best of Drawing, Front Cover - Winter 2020 Issue

  • Royal Talens 2020 Calendrier des Papiers, 2020

  • Southwest Art Magazine – 21 Under 31: Young Artists to Watch –September, 2018

  • The Artist’s Magazine – Shades of Gray Competition – May, 2018

  • International Drawing Annual INDA12 - Manifest, 2018

  • Poets and Artists Magazine – Figurative Realism – 100th Issue, 2018

  • The Circle Foundation – Quarterly Art Review – Spring Issue, 2018

  • ARTIT Magazine – Issue #3 Front Cover, 2018

  • FSTOP Feature Article - "Gustavo Ramos - Drawing Human Narratives", 2016

  • Southern Virginia University - "Student to Exhibit Artwork at Lexington's Nelson Gallery", 2016

  • Southern Virginia University - "Gustavo Ramos Awarded 2017 Stacey Scholarship", 2016

  • SVU's "The Review" Literary Journal - Front Cover, 2016

EXHIBITIONS

  • Scottsdale Ferrari Art Week 2025

  • FOUND:RE Contemporary - "RE:MASTERED", 2025

  • FOUND:RE Contemporary - "RED", 2025

  • Paul Scott Gallery - "2024 Selections", 2024

  • Nucleus Portland - "Salut! 9", 2024

  • Paul Scott Gallery - 144 Exhibition, 2024

  • Arcadia Contemporary - 5 and Under Exhibition, NYC 2023

  • Arizona State University Gammage - Featured Artist Exhibition, 2022

  • "Home Again" Art Show, Utah 2022

  • FOUND:RE Contemporary - Artlink 21st Juried Exhibition, 2021

  • Arcadia Contemporary - SoHo Grand Opening, NYC 2021

  • FOUND:RE Contemporary - "Portraits and Icons", 2020

  • Springville Museum of Art - ARC Featured Artist, 2020

  • Rijksmuseum - Royal Talens Year of Rembrandt, 2020

  • Sotheby’s NYC - ARC Salon, 2020

  • Collins Galleries - "Small Works", 2019

  • MEAM European Museum of Modern Art, Barcelona ES - ARC Salon, 2019

  • Springville Museum of Art, Springville UT - Spring Salon, 2019

  • Southern Virginia University, Buena Vista VA - Senior Art Show, 2017

  • Nelson Gallery, Lexington VA - "Portraits", 2017

Location: Noho Art School, New York, USA

Program: Art Classes & Lectures

Art Mentor: Gustavo Ramos

Price $795

Limited to 12 participants

May 2-4, 2025
3 Day art intensive

Tania Rivilis has exhibited internationally at prestigious venues like Arcadia Contemporary (NY), Bonnard Galerie (Netherlands), the LA Art Fair, and Art Basel. She has also collaborated with prominent figures such as Val Kilmer and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. At Christie's, her work was featured in the "Note to Self" exhibition celebrating female creativity. Rivilis presented three pieces in her signature romantic style during the March-April event in London. Additionally, she discussed "Women painting portraits" in a July 2023 BBC World interview.

Join Tania Rivilis for a 3-day art intensive in the heart of Manhattan, designed for artists seeking to elevate their craft and learn about the art world. Under the guidance of Tania, you’ll dive into hands-on art sessions focusing on technique, creativity, and personal expression. Complementing the art classes, gain actionable strategies from art marketing lectures that bridge the gap between artistic passion and professional success.

Location: Noho Art School, New York, USA

Program: Art Classes & Lectures

Art Mentor: Tania Rivilis

Additional Mentors: Marketing Specialist

Price $850

An artist standing at a table in a studio, laughing and working, with a display of portrait paintings at her side. The portrait paintings depict various individuals with expressive facial features and vibrant colors.

April 6-9, 2025
4 Day art intensive

Join Rosso for an immersive 4-day workshop at Noho Photo Studio, located in the iconic SoHo/NoHo district of downtown Manhattan!

This is a great opportunity to paint with me & learning a proven method and artistic tricks to create beautiful paintings that blend Realism with Abstract!

This course is perfect for both beginners and seasoned artists

open to EXPLORE and incorporate NEW PERSPECTIVES into their work!

In the first part of the workshop, we’ll focus on abstract techniques through fun, experimental exercises designed to help you overcome creative blocks and unleash your full artistic potential. Once we’ve opened up creatively, we’ll dive into the techniques of realist portraiture, covering the fundamentals of classical representation. You'll learn an easy yet effective method to mix realistic skin tones for any complexion, and explore how to use value, temperature, chroma, and shadow shapes to create dynamic and compelling portraits.

Throughout the workshop, you’ll seamlessly integrate abstract elements with realism, learning how to connect these two visual languages in your paintings.

Key Learning Points:

  • How to create original compositions from reference photos and imagination

  • Techniques to develop captivating portraits that capture both the likeness and essence of your subject

  • How to incorporate mixed media (like gilding and metal leaf) for added texture and depth

  • Simple, effective methods for mixing realistic skin tones for any complexion

  • Mastering the entire creative process, from building a strong foundation to refining your work

Plus:

  • Plenty of live demos

  • One-on-one guidance throughout the workshop

  • Personal critiques and advice on your artwork and career

We’ll work primarily from photographic references that I’ll provide. This workshop is suitable for artists of all skill levels, whether you paint with oils or acrylics. It’s ideal for those looking to loosen up their style, as well as for those aiming to refine their technique and create more impactful, realistic portraits. Students are also welcome to submit a portfolio for feedback before the workshop begins (optional).

Dates: Sunday, 6th to Wednesday, April 9th, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Early Bird Price: $875 USD

The price includes four days of instruction, studio equipment, easels, solvents, and photographic references.

minimum 8 students / maximum 12

Price $875

April 10-13, 2025
4 Day art intensive

Join Rosso for an immersive 4-day workshop at Noho Photo Studio, located in the iconic SoHo/NoHo district of downtown Manhattan!

This is a great opportunity to paint with me & learning a proven method and artistic tricks to create beautiful paintings that blend Realism with Abstract!

This course is perfect for both beginners and seasoned artists

open to EXPLORE and incorporate NEW PERSPECTIVES into their work!

In the first part of the workshop, we’ll focus on abstract techniques through fun, experimental exercises designed to help you overcome creative blocks and unleash your full artistic potential. Once we’ve opened up creatively, we’ll dive into the techniques of realist portraiture, covering the fundamentals of classical representation. You'll learn an easy yet effective method to mix realistic skin tones for any complexion, and explore how to use value, temperature, chroma, and shadow shapes to create dynamic and compelling portraits.

Throughout the workshop, you’ll seamlessly integrate abstract elements with realism, learning how to connect these two visual languages in your paintings.

Key Learning Points:

  • How to create original compositions from reference photos and imagination

  • Techniques to develop captivating portraits that capture both the likeness and essence of your subject

  • How to incorporate mixed media (like gilding and metal leaf) for added texture and depth

  • Simple, effective methods for mixing realistic skin tones for any complexion

  • Mastering the entire creative process, from building a strong foundation to refining your work

Plus:

  • Plenty of live demos

  • One-on-one guidance throughout the workshop

  • Personal critiques and advice on your artwork and career

We’ll work primarily from photographic references that I’ll provide. This workshop is suitable for artists of all skill levels, whether you paint with oils or acrylics. It’s ideal for those looking to loosen up their style, as well as for those aiming to refine their technique and create more impactful, realistic portraits. Students are also welcome to submit a portfolio for feedback before the workshop begins (optional).

Dates: Sunday, 6th to Wednesday, April 9th, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Early Bird Price: $875 USD

The price includes four days of instruction, studio equipment, easels, solvents, and photographic references.

minimum 8 students / maximum 12

Price $875

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An art studio workspace featuring a printed photograph of a woman with dark skin and hoop earrings, placed next to a colorful acrylic portrait painting of the same woman on a canvas, with visible green and orange paint strokes.
People participating in a portrait painting class in a bright studio with large windows and city views, some working on canvases, others observing.
An art class or workshop with multiple people working on paintings in a bright room with large windows and various artworks on the walls.
A side-by-side comparison of a painted portrait and a photograph of a woman with dark, curly hair, wearing a white dress. The portrait is an artistic interpretation of the woman in the photograph, painted with muted tones and decorative elements.
A woman painting a realistic portrait of a woman in a pink dress on a canvas. The woman painting has long dark hair, glasses, tattoos, and is sitting on a black chair in an artist's studio. She holds a paintbrush in her right hand and a paper cup in her left. The studio has wooden floors and art supplies on the table.
A painting of three women with textured brown hair, showing different expressions, set against a white background, with some parts unfinished and dripping paint.
An artist painting portraits in her studio with several finished and in-progress paintings, art supplies, and bright wall paintings in the background.
A group of women gathered in an art studio, with some artists working on a painting or discussing artwork, surrounded by art supplies and paintings on the walls.
Group of people holding up their finished paintings in an art classroom.
An unfinished portrait of a woman with dark skin tones, long hair, and a serious expression, painted on canvas in an art studio. Next to it, a reference photo of the same woman displays her with dark skin, long wavy hair, and a contemplative look.
A group of artists painting and creating in an art studio with paintings, easels, and art supplies.

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