Learn from home with a beginner-friendly online video course. From materials and setup to the final details, I’ll guide you through clear, simple stages to build a modern, colourful acrylic portrait one manageable layer at a time.
17 Video Lessons • 4+ Hours • Lifetime Access
A short overview of the course, including the 9-step method, the style you’ll learn, and how to create bold, colourful portraits from your own photos.
Acrylic portraits don’t need to be complicated.
Clear, repeatable, fast and beginner-friendly: my 9-step method breaks the painting into simple stages you can use again and again.
Inside the course, we go through each step together in real time.
This beginner-friendly course introduces my modern, non-traditional approach to acrylic portrait painting, with a focus on bold colour, expressive brushwork and striking results without complicated techniques.
Acrylics are accessible and versatile, without the long drying times or complex setup of oils. Using my clear nine-stage framework, you’ll turn a reference photo into a colourful, contemporary portrait while keeping the process structured and enjoyable.
We start with the setup: materials, choosing a reference photo and preparing your painting surface. Then I transfer the reference with the grid method and paint a full real-time portrait, narrated in detail as I go.
By the end, you’ll know how to simplify a reference, mix and layer colour and bring a modern acrylic portrait together step by step, even without previous drawing or painting experience.
17 video lessons, 4 hours in total. These are the main stages you paint through.
Matt Murphy (b. Brighton, UK, 1977) is a professional artist specialising in watercolours, oils and acrylics. He is best known for his unique abstract portraits, created through a modern, non‑traditional approach.
With decades of experience, Matt has exhibited in London and across the UK, and his work has been featured in art magazines and podcasts. He has been a judge for Sussex Portrait Artist of the Year and has completed commissions for clients around the world.
Driven by a lifelong passion for painting, Matt is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and methods so that others can discover the joy of creating art for themselves.
When you join the course, you’ll also get access to a private student community where you can share your work, ask questions, and stay motivated.
View the course videos on any device. Follow along and watch your portrait come to life. You'll be amazed at what you can achieve in a day.
When you join the course, you’ll also receive a one-page PDF Cheat Sheet that walks you through the full 9-Step Method — perfect to keep beside you while painting any portrait.
14-day full money-back guarantee, no questions asked.
Use the same email address you bought the course with.
Click the link in the activation email we send you.
Sign in with your email and password, and your lessons are ready.
Course information:
Course summary:
Section 1 - Foundations & Preparation
- Welcome and course introduction
- Overview of recommended acrylic painting materials
- Selecting your reference photo and understanding values (with a guided exercise), planning and composing your portrait
- Choosing a colour palette and mixing paints
- The grid method for proportion accuracy
- Sketching the image to map key features
- Preparing and pre-mixing your paints
Section 2 - Step-by-Step Painting Process
- Nine in-depth, fully narrated lessons taking you through each stage of the acrylic painting.
- See the portrait develop from start to finish.
- Learn the specific brushwork, blending, and colour mixing techniques used in real time
Materials you will need:
Frequently asked questions
Where do I watch the course videos?
After purchase, you’ll receive an email with a link to create your course account (using the same email you purchased with). Once you log in, you’ll have instant access to all the video lessons inside your personal course dashboard. You can watch them anytime, at your own pace, from any device.
I’m a beginner, will this be suitable for me?
Yes, this easy acrylic portrait painting course is designed to go through everything a beginner needs to know to get started. I'm confident this online workshop will work for you.
Is the course refundable?
Yes, I offer a 14-day no-quibble money-back guarantee. For refunds, contact: support@mattmurphyart.co.uk
Can I do the course at my own pace?
Yes, absolutely take as much time as you want in the comfort of your own home in your own free time.
What language is the course in, and are there subtitles in other languages?
The audio is in English. At this stage, there are no other language subtitles.
Will the content work on all devices?
Yes the videos will play on all smartphones,tablets and computers.
Can I download the videos?
The videos are available to stream only.
Can I repeat this process on other reference photos?
Yes, I’ve designed the course so you can follow the nine stages on pretty much any reference photo.
How long will I have access to the course?
You can enjoy Unlimited lifetime access.
Will the materials needed cost much money to buy?
Not much. You can start with student-grade acrylics, a few brushes and an affordable canvas or board, so you don’t need a large studio. The full list is in your downloadable pack.
Are the materials easy to get hold of?
Yes, all art stores will provide everything you need.
How do I receive the download pack with course material?
The course material is available in your account as a download link.
How do I access the private student community?
This is accessible via a link in your account.
