Build the Surface
We begin with textured, abstract layers that give the painting movement, atmosphere, and a place for the portrait to appear.
Textured Mini-Portraits in Acrylics
For people who think they can't paint portraits.
Coming Soon
Mini Class · Acrylics & Texture Medium
What if you could paint a portrait without 'drawing' one?
This playful mini class is for people who think they can't paint portraits, and might just discover they can.
Inspired by my 100-day mini-portrait challenge, we take an unconventional approach: rather than starting with facial features, we begin with texture, colour, and layered backgrounds that gradually reveal the portrait.
When it opens, you'll be able to start anytime, work at your own pace, and enjoy lifetime access. It's 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
The same three steps I use in every painting, explained as we go.
Notice What Appears
We work with suggestion first, little hints of features, value shifts, and shapes that begin to feel like a face.
Bring the Portrait Forward
Then we refine just enough, keeping the portraits expressive, layered, and full of life rather than overworked.
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.
Acrylics & texture medium
Heavy gel or any acrylic texture medium, plus a few simple tools.
No pressure, more play
Faces emerge from the layers, no perfect drawing required.
A repeatable method
The same three steps you can return to for any portrait.
Yours forever
Lifetime access, paint along 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
- Build textured, abstract surfaces that give the portrait somewhere to appear
- Work with suggestion, finding features and value shifts before refining
- Keep a portrait expressive and full of life instead of overworked
- A repeatable, playful process you can use again and again
- Lifetime access, rewatch anytime
Coming Soon
Meet your instructor
Marina Teding van Berkhout
Artist & instructor
I'm Marina, a Dutch artist living in the south of France. A few years ago I challenged myself to make 100 mini-portraits in a year, and it completely 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 use in acrylics and in cold wax and oils.
Students
What painters are saying
“Once I let the portrait emerge slowly, everything felt much more natural, and much more me.”
“An amazing lesson in how to use cold wax and oils in portrait art. The looser approach really suits me.”
“Marina clearly describes her step-by-step process, making textures with fun tools, and encourages you to play, experiment and find your own style.”
Look what you can create
A few finished mini portraits 💙
Questions?
Frequently asked
Do I need experience painting portraits?+
Not at all. This class is made for people who think they can't paint portraits. We start with texture and let the face emerge slowly, so there's no pressure to draw perfectly.
Do I need a specific texture medium?+
No. Heavy gel medium or any acrylic texture medium works beautifully. The same techniques also translate to cold wax and oils if you prefer.
What supplies do I need?+
Acrylic paints, a texture medium, a few basic layering and scraping tools, drawing materials, and mixed-media paper or a small panel. The full supply list will be inside the class.
Is this suitable for beginners?+
Yes. It's intentionally low-pressure and intuitive, perfect if portraits have always felt intimidating.
How long do I have access?+
Lifetime access. Once you enrol, the class is yours to return to whenever you want.
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 membershipComing soon
Textured Mini-Portraits in Acrylics is on its way. Join The Texture Lab to be first to hear when it opens.