Portrait Painting with Sky Parra

Back by Popular Demand: Sky Parra's portrait painting workshop at QATACON26 was one of the most popular workshops with overwhelmingly positive feedback. Discover new portrait possibilities through Sky’s multidisciplinary practice featuring expressive mark-making, layered imagery and mixed media. Learn about DENIED, Skye's research-led portrait project that responds to miscarriages of justice through a series of intimate oil paintings.

Sky has recently be awarded a finalist in Brisbane Portrait Prizes’ Salon des Refuses with the following portrait that forms a part of the DENIED body of work. https://brisbaneportraitprize.org/2026-salon-des-refuses/portrait-of-graham-stafford-by-sky-parra/ . See Skye's project here: https://skyparra.com/denied/ and work here @skyparra

Date: Saturday the 24th of October

Cost: QATA Member $55 non member $95

Time: 8;50 for a 9am start till 2pm

Location: A block - Corinda State High School

Catering: Morning Tea and Lunch will be provided

Materials Provided: Oil paint, canvas, brushes

Please bring: A3 colour photocopy of your subject, your favourite brushes, apron

Tips for your reference photos: bring a clear, well-lit, close up portrait photograph. Natural or directional lighting tends to work particularly well. Avoid down lighting, heavily filtered images, or photographs where the face is significantly obscured.

Feedback from Sky Parra's QATACON workshop:

• This was my favourite session.

• After finding her talk so engaging it was a pleasure to experience Sky’s technique.

• Best workshop ever! Loved getting onto a canvas and NEARLY finished a portrait in 2 hours.  I loved it

• Sky was incredibly lovely, warm, friendly, approachable, and presented well to discuss her artistic practices and processes.

• Loved this session! Sky is amazing. 

• Sky Parra- just wow, I think she needs to be in our next Creative Inquiry for Art as Knowledge please.