This page is dedicated to the classes I will be teaching at the Portrait Society of America Conference in Atlanta, GA, April 9th - April 12th 2026
There are two sessions:
Luminous Portraits: Painting the Full Spectrum with Six Colors with Ali Cavanaugh (Pre Conference Workshop Thursday, April 9th, 9 am - 4pm)
and
Modern Watercolor Portraits: Signature Techniques on Innovative Surfaces with Ali Cavanaugh. (Breakout Session, Saturday, April 11, 10am - 12:30pm)
We will be focusing on technique and the class sizes will be large… so it will be easiest to work from photo reference during our time together. We will not be painting on paper, only on Aquabord.
On this page you will find images of the supplies you will need for the sessions. The working photos are here for you to dowload. Print images in color and in black and white and also save to your device so that you will be able to have good reference for our session. Please message me with any questions. I look forward to seeing you at the PSoA Conference!
Pre Conference Workshop: print as 6 x 6 inches, in color and b&w
Pre Conference Workshop: print as 6x6 inches, in color and b&w
Pre Conference Workshop: Print 6x6 inches in color and b&w
Image of the boy is for the breakout session on Saturday, April 11th, print 8x10 inches in color and b&w
Image of the boy is for the breakout session on Saturday, April 11th, print in color and b&w
Images of the Supplies
Supplies are minimal, have your print outs in color and black & white. Aquabords, paints, brushes, tile, water container, paper towel, blade, pencil, and eraser. You may go ahead and draw the boy on your 8x10 Aquabord in pencil…line drawing, no shading.
Pre- Conference Workshop on April 9th:
Aquabord 8’x8”x1/8 flat panel, 2 pkgs of 4- 6”x6”x 1/8” flat panels
Breakout session on Saturday April 11th:
Aquabord, one 8x10 inch flat panel and 2- four pack of 6 x6” aquabords
(8 - 6”x6” panels total)
QoR Watercolor, Ali Cavanaugh Portrait Colors Set
The Ali Cavanaugh Escoda Brush set is perfect!
Variety of small round synthetic brushes, these are my favorite. If you are not able to purchase Escoda, please get something that looks similar to this, white nylon round brushes. Plus one small flat bristle brush for scrubbing.
White ceramic tile, 8x8 inches, (any size is fine)
32 oz plastic container with lid, arrive to class with it filled with water!
Misc supplies: 6 quality paper towels, HB or 2B Pencil, X-ACTO blade, white eraser