Confident Portrait Block-Ins in Just 14 Days
Does your portrait fall apart before it even begins?
You’re not alone. Most painters:
​
-
Get stuck in endless detail loops
-
Struggle to place the features accurately
-
Flatten the form instead of building structure
-
Can’t break free from photo dependency
That’s why Block-In Bootcamp exists:
To help you finally master the foundation that makes or breaks a portrait.
What You'll Learn
In just 14 days, you’ll know how to:
​
-
Block in a head in 15 minutes—with confidence
-
Simplify the face into clear planes using basic shapes
-
Stop second-guessing your structure and proportions
-
Build a reliable drawing system that works from life or photo
Key Topics
In Block-In Bootcamp, you'll learn the essential skills that bring structure and clarity to every portrait you draw. Each day is carefully designed to help you build up from the simplest forms to a solid portrait block-in.
Understanding Facial Structure: Learn the key anatomy of the face and how to simplify the portrait into a more essential form.
Geometric Forms as Building Blocks: Use the cube, cone, cylinder, and egg to understand facial structure.
Rembrandt Lighting: How to set up and use Rembrandt lighting to enhance features, mood, and depth.
Block-in With Different Perspectives: Block in the head from the frontal, ¾, and side profile views.
Simplify & Solidify Facial Features: Break down individual facial features into bold, readable forms.
Create Likeness: Learn how to consistently achieve likeness in the broadest forms.
Anatomy of Light & Shadow: Develop an understanding for the elements of light and shadow that create form.
What Makes This Different?
​​
-
Step-by-step strategy—not just another head drawing demo
-
A proven simplification method using planes and shapes
-
Designed to help you draw any face with structure
-
Made for painters who want to improve their block-in for painting, not just drawing
Key Features
14 days of structured, step-by-step video lessons: Daily exercises that build from basic shapes to solid portraits.
Downloadable guides and diagrams: Including block-in flowcharts, light & shadow anatomy diagram, and geometric drawing overlays.
Reference image library: High-quality portrait references curated for structure, light, and clarity.
The Universal Face Diagram: A printable step-by-step map for blocking in the head frontally, 3/4 and side profile.
The Light & Shadow Anatomy PDF: Understand how light works — and how to apply it to the face and features.
Private course portal: Lifetime access to all lessons and updates.
Self-evaluation toolkit: Includes a checklist and reflection prompts to help you track your progress and improve long after the course finishes.
Optional Online Community: Discuss with fellow students, share work, and stay motivated.
Meet The Instructors
Nic Thurman
Nic is a classical oil painter known for helping students develop timeless, structured portraits rooted in the heart of the old masters. After studying at the Nerdrum School in Norway, he has spent years refining a method that prioritizes clarity, proportion, and the power of simplicity.
With a growing audience on YouTube and Instagram, Nic is passionate about making classical portrait drawing approachable for everyone — even total beginners.
“At the Nerdrum School, I learned that simplicity isn't a shortcut — it's the foundation. This course is how I pass that on.”
%208_33_48%E2%80%AFp_%C2%A0m_.jpeg)
Melisa Calabria
Melisa is a classically trained painter and instructor whose work is grounded in the tradition of classical realism. She studied in Buenos Aires under several established masters and later deepened her practice in Norway as a student of Odd Nerdrum.
Her paintings have been recognized in multiple international competitions, and she has taught in academies and workshops across different countries, sharing a methodical yet intuitive approach to portraiture.
​
Her teachings emphasizes structure and the ability to see form beneath complexity — helping students move from uncertainty to confidence.​ As a long-time collaborator with Nic, she brings warmth and clarity to every lesson and critique.
“Structure builds confidence — and confidence leads to beautiful portraits.”
Our Promise to You
If you go through this course, learn the strategies, do the homework, and you don't come out of it feeling more confident in your portrait block-in abilities... We'll give you a 100% refund. That's because we know how powerful it is. And that's how confident we are that this course can transform you and your skills.
Who This Is For
Block-In Bootcamp is designed for painters who are ready to get serious about structure — whether you're just starting out or looking to rebuild your foundation with clarity and purpose.
This Course Is For You If:
You struggle with proportions and your portraits often “don’t look quite right”.
You’re a beginner and want a clear, step-by-step path to build your skills.
You’ve drawn for years, but never learned true strategy for structure — and it’s holding you back.
You want to learn to draw from life, but don’t know how to begin.
You want to move beyond sight-size and learn to truly construct the head.
You rely heavily on photo references and wish you could draw with more independence.
You’re tired of trying to copy shadows without understanding the form beneath.
You value classical painting, and want to approach portraiture with clarity and intention.
What Students Are Saying
Terry
"The course was incredibly well thought out and organized—the video recordings were clear, the accompanying handouts were phenomenal. Block-in Bootcamp is the best workshop ever if you’re ready to commit the time and want real growth!"
Pamela
"I learned more in your two week Block-In Bootcamp than I did at a beginning oil and figure class at a prestigious art college. I highly recommend Block-in Bootcamp! "
Sissel
“I was amazed at what I was able to create by the end of the workshop. I have been given many new tools for doing art, both when it comes to the actual drawing/painting process, and in overcoming fear and resistance.”
The Block-in Bootcamp Experience
Enrollment includes lifetime access to all material.
“Everyone had something to learn, and there was real progression — you could see that everyone improved by the end of the two weeks. If you’re interested in improving your practice, you should seriously consider this. It’s valuable.”
​
-Lynne, Canada