Module 01
Drawing the Face
Where every portrait begins. A gentle, no-pressure introduction to proportions, features, shapes and values, so you can draw a face with confidence before a drop of paint goes down.
Marina’s signature portrait class
Fabulous Faces in Cold Wax & Oils
Stop forcing the likeness. Learn to find the face in the layers.
Full Class · Cold Wax & Oils
What if you could stop chasing the perfect likeness, and start finding the face in the layers?
This is my signature portrait class, and it’s for painters who want to stop forcing the likeness and start letting a face emerge.
Instead of pushing a portrait onto a blank surface, we begin with texture, layers, colour and marks, and let the face slowly appear from the background. The result is expressive, textured portraits full of character, not stiff copies of a photo.
Start anytime, work at your own pace, and enjoy lifetime access. This is a self-guided class, but you can always reach out by email with questions.
See the class in action
Press play to see what we’ll be doing together.
4 modules + bonus
What’s inside the class
Four modules that build from drawing and painting the face into two complete portrait projects, plus a bonus combining pencil and paint.
Module 02
Painting the Face
Bring the features to life and learn to mix soft, natural skin tones that glow. The colour foundations that make a face feel alive rather than flat.
Module 03
A Selfie Portrait
Your first full project. Paint a self-portrait, first as a monochrome study to understand the light and structure, then bring it to life with colour and texture.
Module 04
A Fabulous Face
The signature project. Start with base layers and texture, draw into the surface, and let the portrait emerge from the layers, scraping back and adding marks until the face appears.
Bonus
Portrait in Pencil and Paint
Combine drawing and paint in one piece. Work transparent layers of cold wax and oils over a pencil portrait while keeping the drawing visible, for a fresh, expressive result.
Who it’s for
This class is for you if…
- You want to paint faces that feel alive and expressive, not stiff, photo-perfect copies
- You're ready to stop forcing the likeness and let the face emerge from layers of colour, texture and marks
- You love texture and want to bring it into portraiture with cold wax and oils
- You'd love to paint the people you love, or faces from your imagination, with real personality and soul
- You've always wanted to try portraits in cold wax and oils but didn't know where to start
Inside the class
What you’ll take with you
- Draw a face with confidence, proportions, features, shapes and values
- Mix soft, natural skin tones that glow
- Build a portrait in layers with cold wax and oils
- Let a face emerge from texture, scraping back and adding expressive marks
- Paint a monochrome study first, then bring it to life with colour
- Combine pencil drawing with paint while keeping the drawing visible (bonus)
- Prefer French or Dutch? Every lesson is translated, with subtitles on all videos.
Meet your instructor
Marina Teding van Berkhout
Cold wax artist & instructor
I’m Marina, a Dutch professional artist living in the south of France. Portraits are close to my heart, and combining them with cold wax medium changed everything for me: the textures, the layers and the marks let a face appear on its own, full of life and character.
This is my signature portrait class, and I’ve poured everything I know into it. Whether you want to paint a selfie, someone you love, or a face from your imagination, I’ll guide you step by step to stop forcing the likeness and start finding the face in the layers.
Students
What painters are saying
“Marina's style and techniques are inspiring and she freely shares her knowledge. Both classes are definitely worth the minimal cost.”
“Your class shows me how to combine realism with abstract. I'm so happy I took this class.”
“Her teaching style was encouraging exploration and individual preferences.”
Look what you can create
Student work 🎨
Questions?
Frequently asked
Do I need experience painting portraits to take this class?+
Not at all. We start gently with drawing the face, proportions, features, shapes and values, before any painting. Whether you're brand new to portraits or already have some experience, I'll guide you every step.
Can I paint my own reference or someone I love?+
Absolutely, that's the joy of it. Reference photos are provided, but the techniques work with any face. Many students use a selfie or a photo of someone they love to make the portrait personal.
What is cold wax medium and why use it for portraits?+
Cold wax medium (like Gamblin) mixed with oil paint gives a thicker, buttery consistency that's perfect for building layers and texture. For portraits it adds a unique, tactile quality, the face becomes textured and alive, quite different from traditional portrait painting.
What supplies do I need?+
Cold wax medium, oil paints, palette knives, a brayer, and rigid surfaces like cradled boards or panels. The full supply list for oils is inside the class.
I'd rather work in acrylics, can I?+
This class is the cold wax & oils version. If you prefer acrylics with a texture medium, keep an eye out for Textured Portraits in Acrylics, the acrylic companion to this class (coming soon).
Is this realistic, photorealistic portraiture?+
No, and that's the point. We're not forcing a perfect likeness. We build texture, layers, colour and marks and let the face emerge intuitively, so your portraits feel expressive and full of character.
How long do I have access?+
Forever. Once you enrol, the lessons and reference photos are yours for life. No rush, work at your own pace and come back whenever you like.
Keep painting with me
The Texture Lab membership
If you loved this class, join The Texture Lab for fresh lessons, creative prompts, and warm support to keep your art practice moving.
View membershipReady to find the face in the layers?
Paint expressive, textured portraits full of character, and finally stop chasing the perfect likeness.
$149 · One-time payment · Lifetime access · Secure checkout