If you've seen a portrait painting, you'll notice that it looks like a personal photo into painting. It's not like other types of painting techniques in which you can freely maneuver your brush until you can find the perfect shape. When you're creating a portrait painting, the only subject that you can use is a person. Nature – flowers, animals or landscapes – is much easier to paint compared to a human being. It's such a popular painting that homeowners buy portrait canvas prints as wall decors at home. It is a challenge – both for beginners and advance – to do a portrait painting.
This type of genre of painting is no walk in the park; it's not as easy as when you turn photos into sketches. Patience and determination are required if you want to get a quality output. Usually, the human details in portraits have an uncanny resemblance to real persons or the subjects. A single mistake can mess up your painting, and it's back to square one. With proper practice and experience, you'll be able to make the perfect portrait painting. On top of that, there are also tips to teach you the basics of making quality portrait paintings:
This type of genre of painting is no walk in the park; it's not as easy as when you turn photos into sketches. Patience and determination are required if you want to get a quality output. Usually, the human details in portraits have an uncanny resemblance to real persons or the subjects. A single mistake can mess up your painting, and it's back to square one. With proper practice and experience, you'll be able to make the perfect portrait painting. On top of that, there are also tips to teach you the basics of making quality portrait paintings:
Selecting a subject beforehand
If you're having a hard time selecting a subject, or if you want something tangible as a guide, turn a photo into a painting. It's hard to create a portrait off the bath without anything to pattern your work. It's not as simple as drawing something in which you can create something from scratch.
- Find a photograph of somebody – it could be anybody – and use it as your guide.
- If the photo that you chose is small, make sure that the details are vivid enough for you to see.
- If you're going to use a live subject, make sure that he/she doesn't move frequently.
- Give your subject short periods of rest if he/she is starting to feel numb or stiff.
- If the object is resting, tell him/her to emulate the same postilion prior to taking a break.
Details, details, details
The quality of your portrait will not be based on the physical appearance of your subject. Regardless if he/she looks presentable or not, your painting would rely heavily on how you touch on the details of your work. Make sure that your subject poses with ease; don't try to make him/her do poses that apply pressure. Aside from that, you also need to pay attention to the following:
Positioning
Make sure to angle your subject in a way that you can fully see the face down to the waist area.
Proper lighting
The time when you're going to do the painting can affect the lighting of your subject. If you're using natural lighting, expect erratic changes as time passes.
The materials that you'll use
Like any other painting, you need to prepare the materials that you will use in making a quality portrait painting. After you've chosen your pallet, decide on what type of paint you're going to use. You can either select watercolor or oil pastel paint. It would depend on your mastery of the paint and which one you're comfortable using.