Cool-warm contrast in portrait painting

Cool warm contrast portrait painting.

In portrait painting you have to deal with a number of contrasts. One is the cool-warm contrast. And I know from experience that people often struggle with this topic. The light-dark contrast is no problem to many students.

Cool-warm contrast in portrait paintingA basic principle is the often applicable rule:

  • light parts are cool,
  • shadows are warm,
  • deep shadows are hot.

The light part of the face has often a cooler temperature than the shadow. And in particular in the high lights, this statement is of interest. Look carefully at the image. The highlights are not a lighter version of the surrounding flesh colours. No, they have their own, cool character. Less Yellow and more Crimson. This small difference can enliven a portrait in a refreshing manner.

(To explain this topic I had to exaggerate the effect in the image)

See also this article.

And this post.

2 Replies to “Cool-warm contrast in portrait painting”

  1. Hi Ben,
    When working from a photograph that has been taken with a flash, are the cool/warm contrasts still there in the flesh or do you have to exaggerate/invent the cool/warm tones to some extent?. Happy Easter – Sam

    1. Hi Sam.
      I would say you always should invent colors. Usual the flash gives a cool light. But another thing: try to avoid flash pictures as it blows away all the shadows. And it is in the shadow where the power of a portrait is. A portrait needs shadow! Happy Easter.
      Ben

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