Portraiture

At Lavender Art Studios, portraiture is embedded as a vital facet within our broader art education program.

Led by the expertise and artistic vision of Greg Devenny-Mackay, a celebrated educator who has taught thousands of students in hundreds of art classes over the past 25 years, the portraiture program is rooted in academic rigor and enriched by contemporary exploration. Greg’s extensive experience and passion for portraiture have shaped the program, making it a cornerstone of artistic development at Lavender Art Studios.

The portraiture component offers students the opportunity to delve into the intricate process of depicting the human form, focusing on anatomy, light, and expression. Suitable for all skill levels, the program nurtures both technical proficiency and the development of a personal artistic style, under Greg’s expert guidance.

Demonstration of a limited-palette pastel portrait by Greg Devenny-Mackay

A historical foundation

Portraiture's evolution reflects artistic, cultural, and societal shifts throughout history, a progression woven into Greg’s teaching to provide students with a rich contextual understanding.

Ancient portraiture

In ancient Egyptian and Greek art, portraiture fulfilled religious, commemorative, and political purposes, capturing leaders and deities in idealised forms to symbolise authority and divinity.

Medieval and Renaissance portraiture

The Renaissance marked a shift toward realism and individualism, with artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Jan van Eyck emphasising perspective, human expression, and intricate detail. These techniques form part of Greg’s curriculum, connecting students to classical foundations.

Baroque and Enlightenment portraiture

Masters like Rembrandt and Gainsborough introduced psychological depth and dramatic lighting, capturing intimate and emotionally charged representations. Greg draws on these traditions to inspire students to explore emotion and mood in their work.

Modern and contemporary portraiture

The advent of photography in the 19th century inspired new approaches to portraiture, leading to abstract and emotive interpretations by artists such as Picasso, Matisse, and Lucian Freud. These innovations influence Greg’s contemporary teaching methods, encouraging students to push boundaries and find their voice.

Demonstration of a full-palette pastel portrait by Greg Devenny-Mackay

Curriculum highlights

Under Greg’s leadership, portraiture at Lavender Art Studios is a carefully crafted program offering a comprehensive framework.

Greg demonstrates sketching studies of the face

Anatomy and proportion

Study of the skeletal and muscular structures that define facial features, ensuring accuracy in rendering.

A charcoal portrait reproduction with pastel highlights

Light and shadow

Techniques to create depth and volume, including chiaroscuro and tonal gradation.

Expression and emotion

Training to capture the subtleties of expression and mood, revealing the essence of the subject.

Students painting and drawing a portrait

Medium exploration

Students experiment with a variety of mediums—charcoal, pencil, oil, soft chalk pastel—to develop versatility.

Students sketching while on an excursion to a gallery

Stylistic development

Guidance in interpreting historical methods while fostering individual artistic voices.

Greg demonstrates sketching a portrait in charcoal to students

Watching live demonstrations

Students observe expert techniques, from initial sketching to final detail, gaining invaluable insights into the creative process.

Practical learning

One-on-one teaching support is an essential and integrated component of every portrait class at Lavender Art Studios, ensuring individual attention and guidance for each student. Greg’s expertise and dedication to personalised instruction enrich both the adult and youth programs, allowing students to overcome challenges and grow within the group learning experience.

Activities include working with live models, attending masterclasses, and analysing historical portraits, with every session designed to foster technical skill and creative expression. Greg’s influence ensures that students engage deeply with the discipline while exploring innovative techniques.

Goals and outcomes

The portraiture program aims to equip students with the ability to:

Render lifelike and expressive portraits.
Interpret personal and commissioned projects with depth.
Articulate the historical and emotional aspects of their work.

With Greg Devenny Mackay’s unparalleled experience and passion at its heart, the portrait program at Lavender Art Studios combines tradition, innovation, and individual growth. It champions an academic yet creative environment, inspiring students to approach portraiture as both a technical skill and an avenue for storytelling.