Realist Academy Walton Hall

This week in the studio was all about finishing our grisaille paintings.
Students focused on refining values, strengthening form, and resolving the final details that bring the work together. Grisaille is all about learning to see and control tone, and it’s always fascinating to watch the paintings develop from the first block-in stage to a finished piece.
The photos show both the early stages of the grisaille and the completed paintings, along with the class hard at work during the final session.
Well done everyone for the patience and concentration this week – finishing a painting is often the most challenging part of the process. 🎨

EASTER SALE – 50% OFF 🐣🎨
Portrait Class
📅 Sunday 29 March 2026
⏰ 9:30am – 12:30pm
Was £12 → Now only £6
https://www.realistacademy.com/product/portrait-class-sunday/
• 3-hour portrait pose
• Tea, coffee & biscuits included
• Only 14 places available
This is a non-tutored session.
Book your place now before it fills up!

🎨 How did Bouguereau paint such beautiful skin tones?
In this 2-day master copy workshop you’ll discover his method for mixing harmonious flesh tones using a Burnt Umber base.
📅 11–12 April 2025
Saturday - Sunday
⏰ 9.30am – 4.30pm
👉 Book now
https://www.realistacademy.com/product/william-bouguereau-workshop/
You’ll learn:
• How to analyse a Bouguereau master painting
• How to model form through subtle tonal shifts
• How to create soft edges and luminous skin tones
• The classical sight-size method
💰 Easter Sale: £146 (was £180)
🔥 Save £34 – limited places
👉 Book now
https://www.realistacademy.com/product/william-bouguereau-workshop/

🎨 Part-Time Portrait Painting Course 2026–27
Have you always wanted to learn how to paint portraits — but never knew where to start?
Due to demand, our Part-Time Portrait Painting Course is now also available on Tuesdays, alongside our popular Saturday sessions.
https://www.realistacademy.com/product/portrait-painting-course/
This course is designed especially for beginners and developing artists who want clear guidance, structured training, and real progress.
This isn’t about talent — it’s about learning the right techniques, step by step, in a supportive studio environment.
✨ Choose between Tuesdays or Saturdays�✨ Classical drawing and painting methods�✨ Small group teaching�✨ Personal guidance and feedback�✨ Build real confidence and skill
Whether you’re starting from scratch or returning to art after years away, this course will give you the foundation you need to truly understand portrait painting.
📍 2026–27 enrolment now open�Spaces are limited to keep teaching focused and personal.

So proud of what the students achieved while creating a master copy of Portrait de femme la tête renversée by William-Adolphe Bouguereau.
Interestingly, the results were even stronger than our old in-person academy workshops — because instead of cramming into a weekend, we worked one morning a week over six weeks. That extra time for reflection, practice, and feedback made a huge difference.
Each session was a focused 3-hour class, helping students build real skills in tonal harmony, subtle form modelling, and delicate transitions — without burnout.
Why online works so well:
✅ Live demonstrations
✅ Paint along in real time
✅ Personalised feedback & corrections
✅ Recorded lessons to revisit anytime
Huge congratulations to everyone who took part — your dedication really shows.
If you’d like to join a future online workshop, feel free to message me. More classical studies coming soon 🎨

🎨 ONLY 2 PLACES LEFT — Portrait Wash Drawing Workshop
📅 14–15 February 2026 | Sat & Sun
⏰ 9.30am–4.30pm
https://www.realistacademy.com/product/imprimatura-portrait-of-lynn/
Do you draw confidently — but freeze when it’s time to paint?
This 2-day intensive workshop is designed to bridge that gap.
You’ll learn how to use wash drawing to:
✔ Simplify portraits
✔ Build strong structure and tone
✔ Create a clear plan for painting
✔ Gain confidence before touching oils
By Sunday afternoon, you’ll have a finished portrait study and a repeatable process you can take into your own work.
Small group. Hands-on teaching. Individual guidance throughout.
⚠️ Only 2 places remaining. Once they’re gone, booking closes.
Message me or comment below to secure your spot 👇

✨ A Year of Growth, Skill & Creativity ✨
Looking back on the Part Time Portrait Course, it’s incredible to see just how much our students have achieved. From tentative first marks to confident, expressive work, the progress has been inspiring at every stage.
Over the year, students:
🎨 Built strong foundations in drawing and painting
✏️ Learned to see form, light, and proportion with clarity
🖌️ Developed confidence working with classical techniques
🧠 Gained the tools to think independently and critically about their own work
More than finished artworks, this programme was about learning how to learn — understanding process, embracing mistakes, and discovering personal creative voices in a supportive studio environment.
I’m incredibly proud of the dedication, curiosity, and courage shown by everyone involved. These images capture just a small part of the journey, but they speak volumes about the commitment and growth that took place.
Thank you to all the students who trusted the process and put in the work — this is only the beginning. 💙