Introduction To Likeness: Portraits

Join a prize-winning portraitist, contemporary artist and 18-time Archibald finalist, Mathew Lynn, on a journey in achieving a likeness of someone important to you.

A portrait is a very personal and specific artwork, because we are trying to create a sense of someone’s being (as well as recognising our own). Mathew can introduce you to all the essential technical elements and accuracy that you need to have, firstly through drawing and then onwards to painting, and understanding the differences between the two

When you feel confident with your technique, Mathew can then discuss and encourage you to really look at your subject in terms of their personality, and how to convey them with your technical elements always serving their likeness.

Please bring a range of images of a person (or people) you’d like to work from, Mathew can help you with choosing images that are ideal. It’s best if you bring printouts, or if you have a tablet to work on. Try to also have the images on your phone.

Students will initially work on a basic composition making drawing studies, following Mathew’s technical guidance in understanding lines and planes, and the ‘jigsaw puzzle’ of shapes required to make a likeness. Later, Mathew will show you how to translate this work into painting.

You can work in any painting medium, follow the supplied materials list for guidance, especially the colors that are best for portrait work. As we will start with drawing, bring a sketch book or paper, and at least a range of pencils plus a Staedtler type eraser. You can expand on that with a range of drawing materials and papers, and the things you like to use. You can also choose to draw for the entire day. There will be initial group instruction, and then mostly one-on-one guidance as each student moves into their own project. Whether you are a beginner or more experienced, Mathew can give you the exact guidance and personal challenge you need!

About your teacher

Sydney-based artist Mathew Lynn is renowned for his portraiture and contemporary figurative and landscape painting. With over twenty years of success, Lynn has exhibited with Nanda\Hobbs, exploring themes of personhood and meditative experience. A Master of Art graduate from the University of New South Wales, Lynn has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize eighteen times, winning the People’s Choice Award in 1997 and the Packers’ Prize in 2013. He has also been a finalist in the Wynne, Sulman, Shirley Hannan, and Doug Moran National Portrait Prizes. His work is held in major collections, including the National Portrait Gallery Canberra and Government House Sydney.