From Rembrandt to Van Gogh, artists throughout history have confronted their own image to create some of the most striking works of art.
Today, we snap a selfie with our phones, capture a moment but probably not the person. In this two-day course, we will do the same as Rembrandt and others, take time to think about the image.
Course Information
- Tutor, Sam Clayden
- Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd February, 2026
- 10.00 – 4.00
- Mottisfont Village Hall
- £240/2 days, to include a light lunch
- Suitable for intermediate students, and those with more experience
- Sam will demonstrate with oil paints.
What to expect on Self Portrait with Oils
Working directly from the mirror, Sam will guide students in the composition and execution of their self-portrait. From initial sketches to finishing touches, Sam will demonstrate techniques, discuss historical examples and ideas and provide one-on-one feedback, helping students to find their artistic voice.
The first day will start with sketches in charcoal or pencil, thinking about composition, shape and tone. This will be followed by quick sketches in oil thinking about tone and colour.
Day two will be a full day of a self portrait.
Materials
Brushes
- Mix of synthetic and hog bristle
- Mix of rounds and filberts
- variety of sizes from 1-10
Surfaces
- Minimum three canvases or wood panels prepared with acrylic gesso or oil primer
- Sizes between 20×30 and 40×50
- Preferably toned with a light warm or grey tone, but not essential.
Pigments
Any professional grade brand will do. Please feel free to bring whichever pigments you usually work with. Below is merely a suggestion for an efficient, full spectrum palette.
- Titanium White
- Yellow Ochre
- Yellow Lake (or Cadmium Yellow)
- Napthol Red (or Cadmium Red Light)
- Permanent Alizarin (or Quinacridone rose)
- Ultramarine Blue
- Raw Umber
- Burnt Umber
Palette
Palette Knife
Paper towel or rag
Rubbish bag
Low Odour Solvent and container with lid
Linseed or Safflower Oil
Sketchbook and pencil/charcoal/pen
A Mirror
Sam Clayden Biography
Sam Clayden is a portrait painter working in London. He exhibits internationally and has won prizes at major exhibitions, such as the De Laszlo Award at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and the Michael Harding Oil Painting Award at the Green & Stone Exhibition.
Between commissions, Sam teaches workshops in the UK and abroad. He has taught many courses and workshops for Art Draw Paint and for Casa Rosa At in southern Spain.