Paint Bold & Colourful Oil Portraits With a Simple 9-Step Method
A clear, repeatable process that takes you from blank canvas to finished portrait. Learn how to create expressive artwork full of character and emotion, even if you've never painted in oils before.
✓ Beginner friendly approach
✓ Paint from any reference photo
✓ Non-traditional modern style
17 Lessons • 4+ Hours • Lifetime Access
£49.99
was £99.9950% off
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The 9 step method
A repeatable 9-step process for bold, colourful oil portraits
Oil painting doesn’t need to be complicated.
I’ve simplified my professional process into a clear, beginner-friendly method you can use again and again, so you can build colourful portraits without rigid rules or heavy theory.
Inside the course, we paint together in real time, one stage at a time.
Step-by-Step Video Lessons
From materials and composition to the final details, each stage is clearly broken down so you can follow along at home and build your portrait at your own pace.
Materials
Ref photo, values and composition
Colour choices
Grid method
Guide lines
Pre mixing paint
Step 1
Lightest values
Step 2
Medium values #1
Step 3
Medium values #2
Step 4
Darkest values & colour
Step 5
Hair
Step 6
White background
Step 7
Definition
Step 8
Sketchy lines
Step 9
Final touches
Materials
Ref photo, values and composition
Colour choices
Grid method
Guide lines
Pre mixing paint
Step 1
Lightest values
Step 2
Medium values #1
Step 3
Medium values #2
Step 4
Darkest values & colour
Step 5
Hair
Step 6
White background
Step 7
Definition
Step 8
Sketchy lines
Step 9
Final touches
Materials
Ref photo, values and composition
Colour choices
Grid method
Guide lines
Pre mixing paint
Step 1
Lightest values
Step 2
Medium values #1
Step 3
Medium values #2
Step 4
Darkest values & colour
Step 5
Hair
Step 6
White background
Step 7
Definition
Step 8
Sketchy lines
Step 9
Final touches
Watch the course trailer.
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.
Student Portraits Painted Using The 9-Step Method
A beginner-friendly way to paint bold, colourful oil portraits
Whether you’re new to oils or returning to painting, the course breaks the process into clear stages you can follow from home.
You’ll learn
✓ Simple 9-step oil portrait process
✓ Painting from any reference photo
✓ Bold colour, values and expressive brushwork
✓ Minimal home setup and materials
Also included
✓ Private student community
✓ One-page process cheat sheet
✓ Full support
✓ Lifetime access
Course information:
- 17 video lessons (4hrs)
- Videos available to stream on all devices.
- Downloadable pack (inc materials list, reference photo, grid method guide & cheat sheet guide with 9 steps to use on any reference you choose).
- Online and at your own pace.
- Audio: English (subtitles not currently available)
- Level: Beginner to advanced
- Unlimited access.
- Direct support from Matt
Course summary:
Section 1 - Foundations & Preparation
- Welcome and course introduction
- Overview of recommended oil 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
- Adding guide lines 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 oil 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:
- Canvas or board to paint on.
- Easel
- Flat brushes 1inch, .5inch & .25inch
- Blending brushes
- Oil paints (my colour palette available in course material)
- White/clean spirit
- Linseed drying oil or Liquin
- Pallet (plastic or paper)
- Masking tape
- Kitchen roll
- Rags
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 oil 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?
There will be a small outlay for the materials but not too much. If you are a beginer you can start with cheaper oils paints and canvases.
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.
BONUS INCLUDED:
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.
Why This Course Is Different.
This Modern Style Course
Fast non-traditional approach
Loose, modern, and intuitive style
Simple 9‑step process anyone can follow
Beginner‑friendly approach — no prior training needed
Uses affordable, streamlined tools.
Traditional Oil Course
Slow traditional & dull
Academic, rigid styles
Requires technical training
Messy and complicated process
Relies on expensive tools and materials.
Private student community
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.
Inside the community you can:
– Share unfinished work
– Get feedback
– See how others are progressing
– Stay consistent
Lifetime access
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.
Course Overview
Learn Modern Portraits in Oils: Bold & Colourful
This course builds on my modern non-traditional approach to oil portraiture — but with a stronger focus on bold colour, expressive mark-making, and creative freedom.
If you’ve ever felt your oil paintings were too safe, too muted, or too controlled, this course is designed to help you loosen up and push your work further.
Using the same simple nine-stage framework I teach across my oil courses, you’ll learn how to create more vibrant, confident, semi-abstract portraits — without losing structure or clarity.
We’ll begin by covering the essential setup: the materials I use, how I choose references that work well for bold colour, and how to prepare your canvas. You’ll explore colour relationships, value simplification, and composition in a way that encourages strong decisions rather than over-refinement.
I’ll then demonstrate how to transfer your reference onto canvas using the grid method, before moving into a full real-time portrait demonstration, narrated in detail as I paint.
This painting is intentionally more striking and colourful, showing you how the nine-stage method can be used as a creative framework rather than a rigid system — allowing for looser brushwork, stronger colour contrasts, and a more intuitive approach.
Each stage is clearly explained from start to finish, giving you a repeatable process you can use for future portraits while still making every painting feel unique.
You’ll also receive a FREE printable Cheat Sheet, so you always have the nine stages beside you while you paint.
By the end of this course, you’ll not only understand how to apply my method in a bolder, more expressive way — you’ll have the confidence to trust your instincts, use colour more fearlessly, and develop a stronger personal style in oils.
Most importantly, you’ll rediscover the enjoyment and creative energy that oil painting should bring.
The Artist
Matt Murphy (b. Brighton, UK, 1977) is a professional artist specialising in both watercolours and oils. 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 also 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.
To see his latest work and behind‑the‑scenes process, you can follow him on Instagram.
50% off for a limited time only!
Join today and learn a repeatable method that can create portraits like this.