Painting Portrait Tips / Lots of information about how to paint a portrait
Sketch & drawing
Develop your drawing skills.
In order to learn portrait painting properly, it is essential to develop your drawing skills. Actually that applies to all forms of realistic art. I had the good fortune to have had an excellent drawing training at a young age. However, I know that many of you do not.
These days, around the end of the year, Helma and I are busy clearing the attic. The plan is to make large cabinets with plenty of storage space. I am already looking forward to the carpentry because it has been a while since I have held a saw, hammer or chisel. Continue reading “Portrait painter, be professional, find a gallery”
Based on some portraits that I am currently working on, I explain some dos and don’ts in portrait painting technique. Of course I have to say my 10 dos and don´ts. So to say my painting style.
If I had to compose a top five list of my favourite painters, it would be no secret that Joaquin Sorolla would be there. This artist (Valencia 1863 – Madrid 1923) is the flagship of the Spanish Impressionism. Continue reading “Sorolla addiction”
Making a small doodle. These days my wife and I stay for a short time in Madrid. We are happy to celebrate the birth of our second grand daughter. Visiting them I made a very small doodle in pencil of the happy couple. Continue reading “A small doodle”
Despite of the fact that I often do portrait painting from photography, I really must emphasize again, that portrait painting from observation is important. Study as much as you can from a life model sitting in front of you.
Training your drawing skills is fundamental. Accompanying a study I made last Tuesday night. I used Terra Rosa (Winsor & Newton) mixed with a little bit of Burnt Umber (Rembrandt Talens.)
Here I show you, step by step, how I painted this portrait, with a different approach as usual. I chose to start without a detailed drawing. Continue reading “Portrait painting, a different approach”
Lighting a model for portrait painting. One can illuminate a portrait in many ways. There is not only one correct lighting. However, as we study with a live model in my studio, once a week with a number of fellow artists, I prefer a simple set-up: one single light source directly above the head of the model.
If you have the intention to start working from life model try to find some friends to join you and agree a fixed day and hour in the week. It is good to have some obligation.
I used to make detailed, preparative studies in oils for my portrait commissions. I stopped gradually. Along the way I realized I was putting my best energy in a study. By the time I made the real painting it sometimes seemed as if I was repeating myself. Norman Rockwell writes: “Be careful not to carry the colour sketch so far that there will be no fun left in the final job. ( ) I have often made the mistake of carrying the sketch too far, wearing out my enthusiasm before I get to the final job”. Continue reading “Portrait painting and sketching”