Free Art
Instruction - Portrait Painting Tips & Techniques
by: Ralph Serpe
Being able to capture the likeness of a human being on
canvas, using paint, is certainly a sought after
accomplishment for many new painters. It can also be
somewhat challenging. This article will cover some of the
more basic portrait painting tips & techniques and help
lessen some of the confusion many beginners face. With
practice, you will soon be painting portraits like the
masters.
If at all possible, I highly recommend you paint your
portraits using a live model as opposed to a photograph.
There is simply no substitution for painting from life.
Painting a successful portrait is all about how you
observe the subject. You want to study the subject as a
whole. Study the bone structure and try to see shapes and
planes. Do not try and paint every little detail exactly
as you see it.
For beginners, it is probably best to start out with a
lighting effect where light and shadow are in high
contrast. This will make for a much easier painting.
Focus on one section at a time. Finish each section
before moving on to the next.
Keep the darks of your portrait at a thin consistency
while your lights should be painted on thickly.
Many beginners struggle with mixing flesh tones. I know
I did when I first started painting. Remember that skin
comes in a variety of colors & textures, so there is no
specific formula for mixing flesh tones in portrait
painting. You will have to experiment and practice, until
you find the right color mixtures for any particular
subject. Never purchase any pre-mixed flesh colors. When
mixing your colors be careful not to over mix, which can
deaden a color.
Try and repeat the colors and values in your painting
to create balance.
When painting hair, don't try and paint every
individual strand of hair. Look at the hair as one object
and then paint the lights and darks. Paint the hair in the
direction of the shape of the head.
The muzzle area of the face (the space between the nose
and mouth) is generally the same color as the flesh but
cooler.
When painting backgrounds, don't make them too detailed
or busy. If you do, you will draw focus away from your
portrait.
Add bits of color where the shadow meets the light in
your portraits.
Fleshier parts of the face are generally warm and
bonier parts of the face, like the chin for instance, are
generally cool in color.
The white in the eye is not white. To get an accurate
color for the white in the eye you can take the subjects
basic flesh color and then lighten it with a gray made
from black and white.
I hope these portrait painting tips & techniques have
helped. Portrait painting can be difficult, possibly even
frustrating in the beginning. Never give up and keep
practicing. You will get the hang of it.
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