Join us for an exclusive portrait painting workshop with a live model, led by Dongni Hou, a painter renowned for her unique and contemporary approach to portraiture. Over the course of four days, you will immerse yourself in the fascinating world of portrait painting, learning to capture not only physical likeness but also the essence and emotion of your subject.
All experience levels are welcome.
| From Tuesday 26 to Friday 29 January 2027 | 10:00–16:00 Break — lunch : 12:30–13:30 |
|---|---|
| Total duration | 20 h |
| Maximum participants | 6 |
| Location | Lux Aeterna – 15 Rue de Lappe 75011 Paris |
| Instructor |  Dongni Hou |
| Model |  Jennie HE |
| Level | All levels |
| Student price | 480,00 € |
| Annual members | Annual members: 10% off all workshop options. Cannot be combined with the student rate. Materials excluded. |
What you will learn
Inspired by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Titian, this workshop invites you to explore portrait painting from life through the alla prima technique.
You will learn to capture the forms, light, and subtle nuances of our model Rayene’s skin tones directly on canvas, developing a free and expressive brushwork in the spirit of the Old Masters.
Detailed programme
Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – with model
Day 1: Introduction and Preparatory Sketches
Meeting with Dongni Hou and presentation of his creative process. Analysis of the shapes and proportions of the human face. Quick sketches Large drawing
Day 2: Grisaille and Color
Small grisaille
Small color sketch
Sketch transfer
Setting up the painting
Day 3: Portrait Construction
Beginning of the oil portrait
Tuned color exploration
Work on the model’s pose
Day 4: Advanced Techniques
Work on skin textures, hair, and details of the eyes. Study of light and shadow to bring the face to life. Exploration of contrasts and chromatic subtleties. End of the day: Final exhibition of completed work and personalized feedback from Dongni Hou
Participants’ gallery
Instructor
Co-founder at Lux Aeterna Paris.
Dongni was born in China in 1987. She has been passionate about the visual arts since a young age, practicing in her home country before crossing the border at 19 to join the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia. After eight years of study, she graduated with a Master’s degree at the age of 27.
To better understand contemporary art and its concepts, she decided to move to France, where she studied for two years at the École Supérieure d’Art du Nord Pas-de-Calais. She now lives in France, and her paintings are represented by prestigious galleries in Paris, the United States, and other countries.
A portrait artist, Dongni is a remarkable example of artistic dedication. During her sessions, she encourages participants to go beyond technical gestures and capture the essence and emotion of the subject. Her workshops offer a unique perspective that aligns with Lux Aeterna’s approach: art as both an inner exploration and an outward expression.
Packages and prices
FULL WORKSHOP PACKAGE — 4 DAYS
€530 for 4 days. You will learn the complete method for creating a successful portrait, benefiting from every step of the process and all the guidance offered throughout the workshop. For students, we offer a reduced rate of €480.
3-DAY WORKSHOP PACKAGE
€480 for 3 days. You will work from a live model over three days. We will shorten the time devoted to preliminary sketches, grisaille, and compositional choices so that you can move quickly into portrait painting, under the guidance of Dongni Hou.
1-DAY OR 2-DAY WORKSHOP PACKAGE
€180 for one day or €350 for two days. Designed exclusively for advanced participants, this option allows you to work more independently, beginning your painting with less preparation while still benefiting from Dongni Hou's personalized guidance, feedback, and expert advice!
Registration terms
Registration is confirmed upon receipt of the deposit.
If a participant cancels, the deposit is non-refundable, but may be transferred to another workshop at Lux Aeterna, subject to availability.
If the workshop is cancelled by Lux Aeterna, all payments will be refunded in full.
Materials needed
Easels will be provided, but painting materials are not included in the offer. We recommend the following minimum required materials:
Drawing Materials: Pencil, eraser, A4 sketchbook. Oil or Acrylic Colors: Ochre, burnt sienna, black, titanium white, cadmium yellow, cadmium red. Canvas on stretcher frame: Linen (preferably) or cotton (more affordable), size 8F = 38×48 cm. Oil medium : Odorless turpentine or odorless mineral spirits – odorless products are preferred for everyone’s comfort.
Synthetic hair brushes: Flat brushes (sizes 4, 10, and 20), round brushes (sizes 2 and 4), two large brushes between 5 and 12 cm. Palettes. Rags or paper towels.
