Event Details
Wednesday 4 November 2026
10am to 4pm | £120 per person
Begin your journey into portrait painting with this comprehensive workshop focused on portraits in oils.
Guided by the experienced artist Richard Kitson, you'll learn the fundamentals of portrait painting through step-by-step instructions and demonstrations.
About the session
The workshop will cover essential techniques, including:
mixing skin tones
blocking in the head with loose brushstrokes
capturing a likeness.
You'll work from photographic reference images, making this workshop accessible for all skill levels.
No prior experience is required.
Meeting point and time
Meet at 9.50am at the top garden gates (near the Stables) ready for a 10am start.
Materials and refreshments
All materials will be provided. Please bring an apron, smock or overalls to protect your clothes.
Tea and coffee will be provided. We'll also break for lunch. Please bring a packed lunch, or you can purchase hot meals, soup, and sandwiches in The Carriage House Café.
Accessibility
The Old Potting Shed is a step-free, accessible venue with an accessible toilet.
If you have specific needs or require a carer's ticket, please contact us at education@chatsworth.org.
About the Artist
Richard Kitson is a figurative artist based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Kitson’s work has been featured in selected group exhibitions including the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery, the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait Prize, Figurative Art Now and the Cork Street Open. Kitson has exhibited in the UK and internationally and was a participant in Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year in 2018. His work hangs in various public and private collections.
For more information, visit www.richardkitson.co.uk
You can also find Richard Kitson on Facebook and Instagram.
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Stay With Us
With miles of walks on the estate and in the national park, as well as centuries of heritage, art and design to explore, Chatsworth and the Peak District are a dream destination for an unforgettable escape. Find a stay with us in a hotel, inn, cottage, or shepherd’s hut here.
Main image: Enya by Richard Kitson
