If you’re tired of only seeing your face in self-isolation, now might be the perfect time to get into portrait painting. And the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) in Canberra can help with that – on April 28 it’s launching a free online masterclass (dubbed “The Amazing Face”) to help people learn about art and become better artists.
Every day for 14 days, the NPG will host a lecture breaking down an iconic work from its extensive collection, which includes portraits of famous Aussies such as Nick Cave, Lee Lin Chin and Bob Hawke (drinking a strawberry milkshake). The instructors will explain the cultural context of the works, their curatorial significance, and why they’re technically successful.
At the end of the two weeks, participants will then create their own self-portrait incorporating everything they’ve learned. And what better way to commemorate this pandemic than with a moody painting of yourself? “Self-isolation self-portrait, April 2020” has a good ring to it.
That thumbnail 🤣