Building the Textures
We start by mixing cold wax into our oils and laying down rich, textured base layers. This is the hidden foundation that brings the portraits to life later.
Mini Portraits in Cold Wax & Oils
Finding faces inside abstract, textured layers.
Mini Class · Cold Wax & Oils
What if a face could simply appear from the layers?
In this little class, I share the intuitive process I use to create my mini-portraits in cold wax and oils. We build textured backgrounds first, layer in colour, and then let the faces emerge gently from what is already there.
It's the same process I use in my larger paintings, just smaller, looser, and a lot more playful. Less pressure. More play.
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.
My 3-step method
This is what we'll do together
Three simple stages, with everything explained as we go.
A Colourful Background
Then we add a busy, playful layer of colour. No subject yet, just lights and darks. This is the layer where your eye starts to 'see' little faces appear.
Finding the Portraits
Finally we draw and paint the mini-portraits into the layered surfaces, intuitively, with light, shadow, and a few expressive marks. Eight little faces in all — four in colour and four in monochrome.
Bonus
Plus two bonus projects
Two little extras to take your mini-portraits a step further.
Monochrome Mini-Portraits
Paint your mini-portraits in monochrome — pure light, shadow and texture, with no colour to think about.
Framing Your Mini-Portraits
Simple, lovely ways to frame and present your finished little portraits.
Cold wax & oils
Cold wax medium, a few oil colours, and a handful of basic tools.
No pressure, more play
Faces emerge from the layers, no perfect drawing required.
Eight little faces
You finish eight mini-portraits — four in colour, four in monochrome.
Yours forever
Lifetime access, return to the process whenever you like.
Prefer French or Dutch? Every lesson is translated, with subtitles on all videos.
Inside the class
What you'll take with you
- How to mix cold wax and oils to the right consistency
- How to layer textures so they shine through later
- How to use lights and darks to make a face appear from an abstract background
- Eight mini-portrait paintings — four in colour and four in monochrome
- A process you can return to forever
Meet your instructor
Marina Teding van Berkhout
Artist & instructor
I'm Marina, a Dutch artist living in the south of France. I've always been obsessed with portrait painting, and a few years ago I challenged myself to make 100 mini-portraits in a year. It changed the way I see faces. In this little class I share the playful, intuitive process I built during that challenge, the same one I now use in my larger cold wax and oil paintings.
Students
What painters are saying
“An amazing lesson in how to use cold wax and oils in portrait art. The looser approach really suits me.”
“I wanted to paint faces again, and this class was the answer. Her teaching encourages exploration rather than rigid rules.”
“Marina is down to earth and relatable, and her lessons help you create your OWN work of art. I've sold many of the pieces I made after her course.”
Look what you can create
A few finished mini portraits 💙
Questions?
Frequently asked
Do I need experience painting portraits?+
Not at all. The whole point of this class is to take the pressure off and let portraits emerge from the layers. I share a few simple proportion tips and two warm-up exercises so you can loosen up before we even start painting.
Do I need cold wax and oils for this class?+
Yes, this version is filmed with cold wax medium and oil paints. I have a separate mini class for those who prefer to work with acrylics and a texture medium.
What supplies do I need?+
A mixed-media sketchbook, cold wax medium, a few oil colours (any will do, though I share the ones I used), and a handful of basic tools: bowl scraper, palette knife, brayer, and a small brush. The full supply list is inside the class.
Can I use my own colours?+
Absolutely, and I really encourage it. I share the colours I used so you can follow along, but the whole class is about playing and experimenting.
How long do I have access?+
Lifetime access. Once you enrol, the class is yours to return to whenever you want.
What's the difference between this and the full Textured Portraits class?+
This mini class is a small, playful introduction. The full Textured Portraits in Cold Wax class goes much deeper, with bigger paintings, more layering, and far more time spent on each face.
Keep painting with me
The Texture Lab membership
While this class gets its finishing touches, join The Texture Lab for fresh lessons, creative prompts, and warm support, and be first to hear when Mini Portraits opens.
View membershipReady to find your faces?
Join Mini Portraits in Cold Wax & Oils and start painting today. Lifetime access, so you can rewatch whenever you like.