A National Treasure, Portrait Painter Nicole Troup
Artist Nicole Troup coming to Willow Pond SLO in April 2025
Painting the Portrait in Traditional Spanish Dress
In April 2025 we look forward to welcoming the esteemed portrait artist Nicole Troup from Pennsylvania to teach a new 4-day workshop at Willow Pond. Nicole Troup is an American traditional portrait painter working predominately with oils, charcoals, and gilding practices. Her commissioned works are uniquely exquisite, ornate, and sought after in private collections across the United States, Canada, and Great Britain.
Troup’s excitement and knowledge of her craft are reflected in her generous teaching style. She often splits her time between art instruction and commission work, even sharing her process with her followers on Instagram.
“I love incorporating gold leaf with my portraits! The reflective qualities and shine are so beautiful.”
In this workshop, Troup will teach students how to paint the portrait using a model in ornate Spanish attire, delving into subjects such as flamenco and conquistador styles, headwear, flowers, jewelry, and other traditional conquistador fashion. Students will also learn how to incorporate gold leaf into the adornment of the fashion accessories. Troup’s workshop derives inspiration from our rich history in the San Luis Obispo area, which was founded by the Spanish in 1772, when Saint Junípero Serra established Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa.
Artist students will paint from a live model as well as from photos, learning the differences between the two and how to use a photo reference to their advantage. Nicole will give demonstrations at intervals throughout the painting process so that students can observe and follow those steps in their own paintings.
Techniques in oil, gilding, mixing flesh colors, proportions, and other foundational principles will be taught while working on two separate costume-themed portraits which will be finished over four days. This workshop offers an excellent opportunity to develop a fuller understanding of gilding techniques, oil painting techniques, light and shadow, mixing skin tones including the mixture of complimentary colors to create flesh tones, identifying warm and cool colors, facial proportions, simplifying elements, and learning various types of portrait lighting.
Read more on the upcoming April workshop and inquire to reserve a spot.
About the Artist
Nicole Troup is a professional art instructor and commissioned portrait artist. Her past clients include local and national clients including WWE wrestler Titus O’Neil, Summit Health, and the VFW, and has also collaborated with former Pennsylvania Governor, Thomas Corbett, to paint his portrait. Her work has won several awards and has been showcased nationally earning a finalist status in the Portrait Society of America's National competition and a semi-finalist in the Art Renewal Center International competition. She is a member of the Portrait Society of America, Oil Painters of America, and the Portrait Society of Atlanta.
