Memory in oil
The genre of portraits has always been popular among both artists and art lovers. In the past centuries, portraits of monarch and aristocrats decorated the walls of their castles serving as a reminder of their glory for future generations. Thanks to them, we can now reconstruct the appearance of many important historical figures. Dating back to the very beginning of art history, this genre has traveled through centuries gaining new meanings and features. Today, there are multiple portrait painting techniques and each of them is beautiful in its own way. If you are a beginning portraitist, you should be aware of certain peculiarities and nuances typical for this very genre. This short step-by-step guide will help you get started and will emphasize aspects that require your special attention while painting portraits.
Portrait painting in 5 simple steps
- - Set up the size and position of your model’s head on the canvas. This will be the basis of your composition. Proceed by drawing the main elements of the person’s face.
- - When your drawing gains shape and volume, add warm shadows in the neck area, alone the sides of the model’s face and in the hair to make the portrait ‘alive.’
- - The lower part of the face will be darker than the rest of it. Adding shadows in its lower third will make your portrait more plausible.
- - The higher the lighter. Use a lighter hue of the flesh color for the middle third of the person’s face while blocking in the forehead with an even lighter shade.
- - Before detailing the portrait, it makes sense to establish the palette of the model’s clothing and the background. That will allow you to better evaluate the color temperature and value of the flesh tones.
Convert your photo into a portrait on DocoArt!
In old times, you would have to spend an entire day posing for an artist in order to get your portrait painted. Today, the whole process is much easier! There is no need to be present at the studio in person; just send us any photo of yours and we will convert it into oil! Our experienced and skillful painters will create an exact copy of your photo on premium canvas, only more colorful and vivid. Decorate your home with the vibrancy of oil paints and keep memory of important events and dear people close to your heart with DocoArt!