CAT LEONARD | EXPRESSIVE PORTRAITS IN ACRYLIC
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Monday 11 – Friday 15 January 2027 – Only 2 places left!
This workshop will teach you how to paint expressive, lively portraits that capture a strong likeness of your subject. Cat’s distinctive teaching style produces fresh, confident results by combining loose, energetic brushwork with beautifully refined focal points—creating portraits that feel effortless while accurately describing the subject.
Over the five days you will learn drawing with paint, mapping big shapes and values, colour mixing and creating convincing skin tones, painting facial features, handling the turned head, acrylic painting techniques, optimising your palette and brushwork, how to take strong reference photos for portraits, and much more. On the final day, you’ll bring everything together by painting an expressive portrait, alla prima, of someone you know or a famous person you admire—completing a rich, rewarding week of learning and creative expression.
It’s a truly expressive painting workshop from the very first brushstroke on the first day to the final mark on the last day – leave the pencils at home, roll up your sleeves and get painting, supported by clear, comprehensive demonstrations that show you exactly how each stage is done.
The course is suitable for all levels—from beginners as well as more experienced painters who want to loosen up, gain confidence, and rediscover the fun of painting. All levels
This workshop will teach you how to paint expressive, lively portraits that capture a strong likeness of your subject. Cat’s distinctive teaching style produces fresh, confident results by combining loose, energetic brushwork with beautifully refined focal points—creating portraits that feel effortless while accurately describing the subject.
Over the five days you will learn drawing with paint, mapping big shapes and values, colour mixing and creating convincing skin tones, painting facial features, handling the turned head, acrylic painting techniques, optimising your palette and brushwork, how to take strong reference photos for portraits, and much more. On the final day, you’ll bring everything together by painting an expressive portrait, alla prima, of someone you know or a famous person you admire—completing a rich, rewarding week of learning and creative expression.
It’s a truly expressive painting workshop from the very first brushstroke on the first day to the final mark on the last day – leave the pencils at home, roll up your sleeves and get painting, supported by clear, comprehensive demonstrations that show you exactly how each stage is done.
The course is suitable for all levels—from beginners as well as more experienced painters who want to loosen up, gain confidence, and rediscover the fun of painting. All levels
CAT LEONARD Bio
Website catleonardart.com
Instagram cat_leonard_art
Cat Leonard is an expressive contemporary painter and popular art tutor based in South Australia. She is highly rated by students for her engaging, hands-on teaching style that focuses on loosening up and finding a unique artistic voice. Students appreciate that she encourages a bold, expressive use of color and gestural mark making, guiding them to abandon perfectionism and trust the painting process.
Reviews often praise her as an encouraging and patient tutor who actively participates alongside her students. Many past attendees highlight how her workshops gave them the confidence to pivot from beginner hobbyists to active, regular painters.
Instagram cat_leonard_art
Cat Leonard is an expressive contemporary painter and popular art tutor based in South Australia. She is highly rated by students for her engaging, hands-on teaching style that focuses on loosening up and finding a unique artistic voice. Students appreciate that she encourages a bold, expressive use of color and gestural mark making, guiding them to abandon perfectionism and trust the painting process.
Reviews often praise her as an encouraging and patient tutor who actively participates alongside her students. Many past attendees highlight how her workshops gave them the confidence to pivot from beginner hobbyists to active, regular painters.
