BLOOM
Unlock the joy of painting portraits that feel alive, no matter your level. Blend abstract energy with realistic portraiture.
Do you ever feel stuck, unsure how to balance freedom with structure in your art? Longing to create portraits that feel alive, but afraid your skills aren’t “good enough”? You’re not alone, many creatives wrestle with the same doubts. What you truly want is to paint with confidence, to see your portraits radiate colour, depth, and emotion.
That’s what you’ll discover in BLOOM.
After Bloom, you’ll not only have created a striking portrait, you’ll also understand how to balance abstraction and realism, how to use values for depth, and how to let your own expressive marks bring energy to your art.
BLOOM
WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS 2-HOUR ONLINE COURSE
Through four step-by-step videos in BLOOM, I’ll show you how to create a portrait that feels both expressive and alive
- We’ll begin by building a vibrant abstract background with mixed media techniques, the perfect foundation for your artwork.
- Next, we’ll add collage elements to enrich texture and depth.
- Then I’ll guide you step by step through drawing a profile portrait, helping you capture proportions and angles with confidence.
- Once your drawing is ready, we’ll bring it to life with acrylics, painting a monochrome portrait in dioxazine purple, using thin transparent layers, so the colourful background keeps it energy and shines through.
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Along the way you’ll learn how to use values for depth, balance transparancy and let your expressive marks shine.
By the end of this lesson, you won’t just have a finished artwork, you’ll have new skills, confidence, and a portrait that reflects your own expressive marks.
Hi, I’m Saskia
And I’m going to guide you through BLOOM with clarity, encouragement, and joy.
I’m a professional artist and educator, passionate about helping creatives of all levels find their unique marks. My teaching style is clear, supportive, and inspiring, designed to make techniques feel simple and accessible.
Over the years, I’ve taught hundreds of students worldwide, and they often tell me my lessons feel generous and encouraging, because I break things down step by step while leaving space for personal expression.
My own journey back to art taught me how powerful it is to paint with confidence, even when you doubt yourself. That’s why I share not only techniques, but also the reassurance that you can do this, and that your art deserves to bloom with colour, confidence, and soul.
“Saskia’s online classes combine clear, step‑by‑step guidance with space for your own exploration, so beginners feel supported and more advanced painters can push their boundaries.”
You’ll also receive
A printable workbook
with step‑by‑step instructions, photos of the progress, and the art supplies list
A reference photo
which is copyright free, to practice with
community and support
Access to a closed Facebook group for feedback and sharing and an online classroom where you can ask questions
“I was drawn into a magical world and mesmerized watching you paint. I cannot wait to watch it again and paint with you.”
frequently asked questions
Do I need prior experience?
No, BLOOM is designed for all levels, even beginners.
Where and when will the course be held?
The course takes place in my online classroom right here on this site. You can start whenever you like and follow the lessons at your own pace. After purchasing, you’ll be asked to create an account, which gives you lifetime access to all your classes through the dashboard under My Account. You’ll also receive an email with all the details and direct links, so everything is easy to find.
What supplies do I need?
A pencil, scale tool and fixative. Basic acrylic paint, fluid and ink, spraypaint and capcleaner, some collage papers and gel medium and a variety of brushes. A list of supplies I used is provided, but feel free to use whatever colours you love or like.
Will I finish with a complete artwork?
Yes! You’ll end with a luminous portrait that reflects your expressive marks.
Is there support if I get stuck?
Absolutely, you can ask questions in the closed Facebook group or directly in the online classroom.
How long do I have access to Bloom?
You’ll have life-time access, so you can revisit the lesson anytime, anywhere. As long as I’m in business. But the content is downloadable, so you’ll own it forever.
bloom is for you if:
- You want to explore expressive portraiture without fear.
- You’re curious how abstraction, collage, and realism can flow together.
- You’re looking for clear, supportive guidance.
- You want to build confidence in your painting process.
- You love learning new techniques that spark joy.
BONUS LESSON
You’ll also get a special bonus lesson on how to draw the nose from different angles. A skill that instantly makes your portraits feel more lifelike and expressive.
In this focused session, we’ll explore the nose from different viewpoints and discover how its proportions connect so beautifully. Using toned tan paper, 2B and 8B graphite pencils, and a touch of white pastel magic, you’ll learn how to add clarity, depth, and sparkle to this feature.
Think of it as a playful sketch session: a chance to really see the nose more clearly, and translate that vision onto paper with joy and confidence.
✨ Free for you (normally €15)
