18 to 21 November 2025
ABOUT ROGIER WILLEMS
Willems’ oeuvre predominantly consists of portraits, rendered in the classical medium of oil paint. The subjects of his compositions are those who personally captivate him —individuals he holds in high regard or those who exert a magnetic allure. Willems finds himself particularly drawn to the complexity and duality inherent within these individuals.
Possessing an unconventional stance towards the conventional art scene, Willems rarely participates in exhibitions and holds an innate resistance towards commission-based work. His motivations for creating art are not driven by accolades or public recognition. Instead, he finds himself more engaged with the journey of creation and the quest for artistic mastery. The works of his fellow artists, though, hold a special place in his heart, serving as a wellspring of inspiration and a mirror reflecting his artistic journey.
The act of painting, for Willems, is synonymous with liberation—a process that offers him boundless freedom and a platform to articulate his thoughts and emotions. He cherishes this personal exploration and chooses to maintain a sense of privacy around it, an approach that mirrors his personality and resonates with his artistic principles.
Born in Dordrecht 1969, raised and still lives in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Self taught painter. Worked for 25 years as a set designer for the theatre for numerous companies. For many years he worked as art teacher at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague and at the Wackers Academy in Amsterdam. Used to work in series with specific themes concerning politics and religion. Now focussing on just the portrait and nudes without further narrative context.
He lives and works in Weesp, Amsterdam with his girlfriend and two young daughters. In his spacious studio (Studio Willems) he paints and teaches with the help of Pieternel Linssen, his assisting companion in business.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
What can you expect? Apart from having fun, I give you technical tools to achieve a well-constructed portrait in oil paint. We begin with drawing but start working with oil paint from day one. As the week progresses we expand our color palette. We work with different models.
On the one hand, this course discusses important (technical) aspects of portrait painting, such as tone, construction and brushwork. In addition, a lot of attention is paid to the way you personally paint; I encourage a loose, free approach with an emphasis on expression. Participants are challenged to take risks and deviate from the beaten track and to strive for powerful paintings with as much individuality as possible.
The course is in English. Best suited for painters with some experience. Material is oil paint on linen or oil paint paper. Colours used: Burned Siena, ultramarine blue, raw umber, green earth, carmine red/ rose madder, yellow ochre, cadmium red medium, titanium white, mixed white and cadmium yellow. Linseed oil and sturdy pig bristle brushes, at least 1 cm wide but also a few wider ones. Only organic and odorless thinners are allowed. Also you need some charcoal and a white soft crayon or pastel. And pieces of cloth to wipe your brushes with.
PROGRAM
Day 1
Morning: Focus on shape, proportion and tone
First short keynote about the construction of the head. Then, using photo prints, with charcoal and white chalk, you make 4 small drawings in different techniques, to loosen up. Then you study the proportions of a face and make one detailed drawing on tinted paper with white and black chalk/charcoal in just over an hour. You practice the construction and placement of eyes, nose and mouth.
In the afternoon you will paint with a limited palette: green earth, burned sienna and white and make 1 portrait based on tone and construction. First prepare paper with raw umber.
Day 2
We start with a demonstration of mixing options. In the morning you will make one portrait with blue, siena, white, ochre and rose madder. You practice light/dark contrasts, core shadow and reflection light. In the afternoon (models change places) you make 1 portrait in the same colours with cadmium red and yellow added.
Day 3
Draw the shape/proportions in blue.
The basis today is that you first consciously choose an complementary light-dark contrast. First set this up in large areas/ planes.
So, for example, pink in the light areas and green in the shadows.
Or orange in the light and shades of blue in the shade.
Or yellow (light) versus purple (dark).
Prepare palette. First determine clear colour schemes, also in relation to the clothing, hair and background.
Day 4
Today you will make one portrait with this palette: ultramarine blue, burned siena, white, ocher and rose madder. Work at a very high pace in the beginning and consider your gestures, your own personal ‘handwriting’ and specific brushstrokes.
Schedule: 10am to 5pm.
Lunch: 1pm to 2pm
This class is limited to 8 students.
The price for this course is CHF 620.-
For further information, please contact us at info@studiovaldus.com
To register, please click here.
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