Paint Beautiful Hair in Your Acrylic Portrait

Learn, step-by-step, how to sketch and paint hair that looks amazingly real, so you can start your next portrait with confidence!

  Enroll in Course

Painting hair isn't easy.

It's one of the hardest things for an portrait painter. Why?

It comes in so many colors: black, white, grey, brown, red, blonde. It can take so many forms: straight, curly, thick, thin, short, long.

Hair is such an important part of who we are as human beings, and how we look.

Even though some of us may wish we had more hair or different hair, we all appreciate having hair. And so it's important to know how to paint it well.

You may struggle right now with painting hair. Maybe when you paint it, it looks stringy. Or the color is just wrong. Maybe it just doesn't have that shiny, lifelike quality you're looking for.

I'd like to help you with all of that, and make it so much easier for you...



In this course, I will break down the mysterious illusion of creating realistic hair.

Once you understand this illusion and how it works, it's not so hard to paint.

I'll show you:

  • the secret to sketching hair so you feel confident when you start painting
  • how to know what colors to use for the hair you're painting
  • how to blend and shade smoothly to get the realistic effect
  • how many layers to use and what brushes you'll need to ease any frustration and to get the right look
  • where to put highlights and why, so you can take it into your future portraits
  • how much detail to add and where to avoid adding detail, to save you time and to help you create the most realistic portrait possible
  • and more! (we'll also secondarily cover how to paint fur and clothing in this portrait. But the FOCUS will be on hair)

We'll dive deep into painting hair in this class! My goal is that when you are done learning from my step-by-step videos, you won't be afraid the next time you have to paint a portrait where someone has a lot of intricate hair, but you'll actually look forward to doing it!

I want you to sign off on the painting proudly, saying to yourself, "that looks REALLY good. I like what I did!"



How Will the Class Work?

This class currently is a work in progress.

I have the reference photo chosen (the one above—this lovely portrait of a girl with vibrant red hair and her dog), and will be recording the lessons over the next few weeks.

I plan on posting 2-3 lessons per week for the next month. The goal is to finish up the class by the end of June / beginning of July.


Because you would be joining at the start, I would like to give you an upgrade offer...

Enroll now at the "Self Study" level and get upgraded to the Mentor Version with a personalized video critique included! This will help you if you get stuck during the painting process. I'll personally show you on a video recorded just for YOU, what to do next.

This is essentially a $50 savings off the top version of the course!

Enroll today!

The Class UPGRADE offer ends Sunday June 7 at midnight CST.

When you sign up, you will receive notification when I post the first lesson, which will be: how to sketch the reference photo and capture the structure of the hair.

The first lesson, how to sketch the portrait, will be posted here within Realistic Acrylic Portrait School next week (the week of June 7)



Free Lessons?

You may be asking, "Will there be free lessons?"

Well, I will be posting some of the videos of this class for free on my YouTube channel later. And they will probably be truncated.

But here at Realistic Acrylic Portrait School with this class, you will get:

  • the ENTIRE video footage of my painting with instruction
  • lessons posted FIRST before they go to YouTube
  • lessons broken down into small, easy-to-watch, distraction-free segments.
  • your questions answered in the Student Forum. Even questions about YOUR painting to help you stay on track.
  • the downloadable guides (reference photo with grid, supplies list, palette layout guide, etc) all in ONE PLACE, easy to download and access.
  • Personalized Video Critiques to help you when you're stuck (on the Mentor Version)

Enroll below!

I look forward to teaching you inside the class, and help you to paint beautiful hair in your next acrylic portrait!

Yours for Better Portraits,


Matt Philleo, artist and instructor

Learn how to paint a portrait you can be proud of!

"Thanks a bunch Matt. You have been a blessing in my life and have helped me do something amazing that I never ever would have imagined possible Paint portraits!" Thanks again, Margie Lewis

"I am still going through the trials and tribulations with each portrait, but since doing your free master class and purchasing two of your courses, I now see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you for your teaching it has helped me so much and now, all I need to do is keep on doing what I am doing. Thank you Matt." —Toni Martin

"Just sold my first commissioned portrait and the husband was so pleased he was extremely generous. Without the critiques from Matt I never would have come so close to what she looked like. I hope it’s ok if I post it. After all that time working on her, I miss this painting, BUT the money more than makes up." —Francesca Clement




Your Instructor


Matt Philleo
Matt Philleo

Since 1993, Matt has been painting portraits in acrylic, both on commission and for exhibition at art shows. In the last few years, he has been teaching students locally and worldwide how to use their God-given gifts and create beautiful paintings they can be proud to show. Currently, he lives in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin with his wife and three children. When he's not painting or teaching, he enjoys spending time with God, his family, and enjoying nature.



Course Curriculum



Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

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