Module 01
Drawing the Face
Where every portrait begins. A gentle, no-pressure introduction to proportions, features, shapes and values, so you can draw a face with confidence before any paint goes down.
Coming Soon
Textured Portraits in Acrylics
Find the face in the layers, in acrylics and texture medium.
Full Class · Acrylics · Coming Soon
The acrylic version of my signature portrait class is on its way.
Same heart as my signature portrait class, now in acrylics and texture medium for painters who prefer to work water-based.
Instead of forcing a portrait onto a blank surface, we begin with texture, layers, colour and marks, and let the face slowly appear. The result is expressive, textured portraits full of character, not stiff copies of a photo.
I'm putting the finishing touches on the acrylic projects. Join the waitlist and you'll be the first to know when it opens, plus the founding-member price.
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.
Join the waitlist
Want the oils version now? Fabulous Faces in Cold Wax & Oils
4 modules + bonus
What's inside the class
Four modules that build from drawing and painting the face into two complete acrylic portrait projects.
Module 02
Painting the Face
Bring the features to life and learn to mix soft, natural skin tones in acrylics. The colour foundations that make a face feel alive rather than flat.
Module 03
A Pink Girl
A bold, joyful project. Paint an expressive portrait built on pinks and bright colour, layering acrylics and texture medium to keep it loose, lively and full of character.
Module 04
A Mixed Media Portrait
Bring it all together. Combine acrylics, texture medium and mixed-media marks, drawing, collage and scraping back, into a richly textured portrait that's entirely your own.
Bonus
A Portrait Using Rust Powder
A special bonus project: build a portrait using rust powder for striking, organic texture and colour. Filming now, joining the class soon.
Who it's for
This class is for you if…
- You want to paint faces that feel alive and expressive, not stiff, photo-perfect copies
- You love working in acrylics and want to bring real texture and depth into your portraits
- You're ready to stop forcing the likeness and let the face emerge from layers of colour, texture and marks
- You'd love to paint the people you love, or faces from your imagination, with personality and soul
- You've always wanted to try textured portraits in acrylics but didn't know where to start
Inside the class
What you'll take with you
- Draw a face with confidence, proportions, features, shapes and values
- Mix soft, natural skin tones in acrylics
- Build a portrait in layers with acrylics and texture medium
- Let a face emerge from texture, scraping back and adding expressive marks
- Work mixed media, drawing and collage into a portrait
- Create bold, characterful faces that are unmistakably yours
- Prefer French or Dutch? Every lesson is translated, with subtitles on all videos.
Meet your instructor
Marina Teding van Berkhout
Textured-painting artist & instructor
I'm Marina, a Dutch professional artist living in the south of France. Portraits are close to my heart, and bringing texture into them, whether in oils or acrylics, lets a face appear on its own, full of life and character.
This is the acrylic version of my signature portrait class. Whether you want to paint someone you love or a face from your imagination, I'll guide you step by step to stop forcing the likeness and start finding the face in the layers.
Students
What painters are saying
“I am new to cold wax but experienced with portraits. Marina's class is wonderful, and it is helping me get out of the box with my realism.”
“I paint and draw lots of portraits and wanted instruction to do them in cold wax. I got it from Marina. What an eye opener.”
“The first ever in-depth review of this medium online, and a wonderful introduction to it. Thank you, Marina.”
Look what you can create
Student work 🎨
Questions?
Frequently asked
When does the class open?+
Soon! I'm adding the final acrylic projects now. Join the waitlist and you'll be the very first to know when it opens, and waitlist members get the founding-member price.
Is there a version available right now?+
Yes. Fabulous Faces in Cold Wax & Oils is the oils version of this same signature class, and it's available today. This page is the acrylic companion that's still in the works.
Do I need experience painting portraits to take this class?+
Not at all. We start gently with drawing the face, proportions, features, shapes and values, before any painting. Whether you're brand new to portraits or already have some experience, I'll guide you every step.
What supplies will I need?+
Acrylic paints, a texture medium (or heavy gel medium), palette knives, and rigid surfaces like boards or canvas. The full supply list will be inside the class when it opens.
Is this realistic, photorealistic portraiture?+
No, and that's the point. We're not forcing a perfect likeness. We build texture, layers, colour and marks and let the face emerge intuitively, so your portraits feel expressive and full of character.
Can I paint my own reference or someone I love?+
Absolutely, that's the joy of it. Reference photos will be provided, but the techniques work with any face, so you can make the portrait personal.
Paint with me now
The Texture Lab membership
While this class is in the works, join The Texture Lab for fresh lessons, creative prompts, and warm support to keep your art practice moving.
View membershipBe first in line when it opens
Join the waitlist and I'll let you know the moment Textured Portraits in Acrylics goes live, with a special founding-member price.