Paint Pet Portraits in Oil

Alla Prima Method & Expressive Realism Approach with Marcelo Rochá

Audio: 🇬🇧 __Subtitles: 🇪🇸 🇮🇹 🇧🇷 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 🇨🇳 🇯🇵 🇰🇷 🇸🇦

👥 Join 3000+ of Marcelo’s students
🚀 From Beginner to Advanced
🎨 2 full pet paintings – start to finish
📚 5 modules · 30 lessons · 4.5h of teachings

👨‍🎨 Marcelo answers all questions within 24h

🎁 Includes Personalized Painting Critique
💬 Subtitles: 9 languages · 🇬🇧 Audio: English
🌐 Unlimited and permanent access

Realistic, expressive, and full of life. Learn the portrait method I use every day.

In The Pet Portrait Oil Painting Course: Long Haired Dog Edition, you’ll learn how to create lifelike, expressive portraits. With more than 3,000 students in my courses, I’ve designed this program to guide artists at every level. You’ll learn to create Marcelo’s signature buttery brushstroke, adding impressionistic depth and expressiveness with the Alla Prima method.

To make capturing colors and values easier, we’ll use a color check system and the versatile Zorn palette. This simplifies color choices, helping you achieve accurate hues and balanced values with confidence. The course also features two complete paintings from start to finish, each using a different approach.

What sets this course apart is the personalized critique you’ll receive directly from me, along with the opportunity to ask questions in each lesson, ensuring every concept is clear. Painting questions answered by Marcelo in less than 24h. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, this course gives you the tools, techniques, and confidence to paint with expressive realism.

Two complete paintings, from start to finish. Each using a different method

Reference one

Roger, the Cavalier

Reference two

Sampson, the Havanese

What You'll Learn:

Presentation Module (3 Lessons)

Begin with my journey as a painter, gain insight into the course structure, and dive into a lesson on my unique style—where I share the influence of great masters from the past who inspire my blend of realism and expression.

Materials Module (4 Lessons)

Discover the best way to use your materials, including paints, brushes, and mediums, as well as how to properly prepare your canvas. These insights will equip you with the essentials to create vibrant, long-lasting artwork.

Concept Module (3 lessons)

Master foundational concepts like selecting high-quality references, understanding values and light, and using edge control to add depth and realism to your portraits.

Painting Module (15 lessons)

Dive into techniques for realistic textures, with dedicated lessons on each element: the Fur Sphere, Imprimatura, Drawing, Eyes, Nose, Mouth, Tongue, Head, Snout, Ears, Torso, Background, and Details. You’ll build up each layer confidently, concluding with varnishing methods that protect and enhance your artwork

Bonus Lessons (5 lessons)

In this module of 5 bonus lessons, we're going to paint Sampson, a Havanese dog, from start to finish. I'm going to use a different approach than the previous painting, where we'll work without lines, but with the masses.

Join the Course

The Instructor

For over 10 years, I’ve specialized in pet portraits, completing more than 400 commissions for clients around the world. My paintings, known for their realistic yet expressive style, are cherished in homes across the US, UK, Australia, Japan, and beyond. After a career in IT and earning an MBA, I dedicated myself to fine art, studying at The Art Students League of New York. Today, I teach over 3,000 students online and have been featured in Artists & Illustrators, the UK's top art magazine, and 365 Art+ in Japan, sharing my passion for painting with a global audience.

FAQ

Is this course for beginners, or do I need painting experience?

→ This course is designed for all levels, from beginners to experienced artists looking to improve their techniques. This is why I present two different paintings each with a different approach, where the first is better for beginners and the second approach for intermediate or advanced.

Do I need to know how to draw to take this course?

→ No! The course focuses on painting. I will guide you step by step, and you can use photo references without needing to draw from scratch.

Does the course only teach how to paint dogs ?

→ While the course focuses on pets, the techniques can be applied to other animals and even human portraits.

What materials do I need for the course?

→ You will receive a detailed supply list with everything you need, including recommended brushes, paints, and canvases.

Can I use acrylic paint instead of oil paint?

→ Yes! While the course is designed for oil painting, many techniques can also be applied to acrylics. The main difference is drying time, but if you use a slow-drying medium, you’ll have more time to blend and work with the paint—allowing you to take full advantage of the course techniques.