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.
About the Author Ralph Serpe is Webmaster & Founder of Creative Spotlite. Visit today for
more portrait
painting techniques. You may also find our sister site http://www.artsymmetry.com
helpful where you will find more free art
articles.
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