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