Gouache Portrait Masterclass

Learn how to paint portraits, not just how to copy one

Painting a portrait in gouache means doing a lot at once.

You need to draw a convincing likeness. See the values. Mix the colors. Understand skin tones. Handle the paint. Decide what to simplify, what to emphasize, and what to change. No wonder portraits can feel intimidating.

Gouache Portrait Masterclass breaks those skills apart so you can understand and practice them one by one, before bringing everything together in your own portraits.

9+ hours of video · 40-page workbook · 5 complete portraits + bonus · Lifetime access · Personal feedback

One portrait. Several skills.

1. Get comfortable with gouache

Before worrying about a face, get to know your paint.

You’ll explore consistency, opacity, blending, textures, brushes, surfaces, and different ways of handling gouache, with practical exercises designed to help you understand what the medium can do.

2. Build a convincing drawing

There isn’t one “correct” way to draw a portrait.  

You’ll explore five different approaches, from proportions and grids to circles, transfer, and profile drawing, so you can find the methods that make sense to you.

3. Understand values and color

Learn to see warm and cool colors, mix the colors you actually want, build skin tones, and, most importantly, understand the role of values in making a face work.  

You’ll practice before you paint, so you’re not trying to solve every problem on the final portrait.

4. Bring everything together

Now we paint.  

You’ll progress from a monochromatic portrait to limited palettes, different skin tones, textures, surfaces, and profiles, gradually combining everything you’ve learned.

Not to memorize my process. To build your own.

Each project adds something new. You’re not simply painting five different faces. You’re building your skills as you go.

This is a Masterclass you actually practice

Watching me paint isn’t enough to make you a better portrait painter. Throughout the course, you’ll find practical exercises that help you apply what you’ve learned before moving on.

You’ll experiment with gouache techniques, try different drawing methods, create color-mixing charts, practice skin tones, and paint complete portraits.

Your 40-page workbook keeps everything together with supply lists, reference information, exercises, color notes, project guides, and practical cheat sheets.

And yes, I’ll look at your work

Want another pair of eyes on your work?

Send it to me. Each chapter includes assignments, and you’re welcome to email me your exercises and portraits. I’ll personally review your work and guide you on what to try next.

You can work completely independently if that’s what you prefer. The feedback is there when you need it.

Everything you need to go deep

9+ hours of detailed video lessons
Full-length demonstrations with narration, close-ups, and explanations of what I’m doing and why.  

40-page downloadable workbook 
Exercises, supply lists, color information, project guides, and cheat sheets.  

5 complete portrait projects + bonus portrait  
Reference images
The reference material used throughout the course.  

Practical assignments
Because portrait painting is learned by painting portraits.  

Personal feedback from me
Send me your exercises whenever you’d like some guidance.  

Lifetime access
Take six weeks, six months, or come back to the course years later.

Course Curriculum

Reviews

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Ellen Melcher

Outstanding class!

What a fantastic class! I always found the prospect of painting portraits daunting, but Cecile breaks it down into manageable steps. I felt I had successfully achieved my goals by the end of the class, and confident I could achieve good results moving forward on my own.

1 year ago
Ellen Honigstock Honigstock

Excellent gouache and portrait course

This course takes patience, but worth the time! Cecile is so warm and friendly, she makes approaching difficult topics inviting. I could see myself taking this class again in a few years as a rigorous way to practice painting skills. Thank you!

3 years ago
Antonella Marani

So stimulating and rich - First review

I’m arrived here after the fantastic and funny Portrait Party and now I’ m in this course more complex but so stimulating , I ‘m a beginner with colours and this course , that I attend slowly it seems to me a jump to a sort of semiprofessional level , because Cecile is so precise and explain completely way of seeing and blending colors. So satisfied to be in

3 years ago
Rosey Brumm

Gouache Portrait Masterclass

This is an interim review because Gouache Portrait Masterclass is so awesome that I am not rushing. This course is very detailed which is fabulous, to have so many options to practise and I enjoy practicing. Seeing improvement is important, but to have covered enough techniques to choose the approach best for me to continue with portraits. My greatest joy will be sketching and painting my daughter who is just 40 years, a naturally very attractive woman. Sooo watch out for my next review as I work thru and grow!

3 years ago
Mona Roberts

Great course!

Jumped right into this after completing the Portrait Party course. My portrait game is so much improved and it was incredible fun. Thanks, Cecile!!

3 years ago

Is this Masterclass for you?

This course is for you if…

 * You’ve painted portraits from tutorials but struggle when working on your own.

* Drawing, values, or skin-tone mixing still feel confusing.

* You know some gouache basics but want to understand the medium more deeply.

* You want a structured path rather than another collection of disconnected tutorials.

* You want to experiment with different approaches and develop a way of painting that feels like yours.

You don’t need to be an experienced portrait painter. We start with the fundamentals and gradually increase the difficulty.

Meet your instructor

Hello, Bonjour, I’m Cecile Yadro.

 I’m a French artist, urban sketcher, and teacher, and I’ve spent years exploring gouache, mixed media, and all the different choices that make a painting feel personal.  When I teach, I’m much more interested in helping you understand your options than giving you a recipe to copy. I want you to know enough to experiment, make decisions, and eventually say, "This is how I want to paint it."  

That’s exactly how I built Gouache Portrait Masterclass.

Ready to paint your own portraits?

You don’t need to solve drawing, values, color mixing, and gouache handling all at once.
 Learn them.
Practice them.
Bring them together.  
And then make your own choices.

10-day satisfaction guarantee

If you decide the Masterclass isn’t right for you, email me within 10 days of purchase for a full refund.

Gouache Portrait Masterclass

159 US$

9+ hours of video
40-page workbook
5 complete portraits + bonus
Exercises + personal feedback
Lifetime access

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The class is made for all levels, we will cover the basics and increase difficulty along the way

You’ll find a complete supply list inside the course, and Chapter 1 covers all the materials in detail. If you’re unsure what to buy, I recommend watching those lessons first.

The class is painted with gouache, but you can as well use acrylic or acrylagouache, which is a matte acrylic. Watercolor and oil painting wouldn’t be suitable though.

If you follow the original six-week structure, plan around 3 to 4 hours per week for watching and practicing. But there’s no deadline. You have lifetime access, so take as much time as you need.

No problem! Just send me an email within 10 days and you’ll get a full refund

The course is in English.

© 2026 Joyful Sketchbook Classes by Cecile Yadro