History of Portraiture

Overview of Portraiture Portraiture - MSN Encarta Portraiture - MSN Encarta Portraiture - MSN Encarta Portraiture - MSN Encarta

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

Painting Tips How to paint portraits - some practical advice. How to paint portraits - some practical advice. How to paint portraits - some practical advice. How to paint portraits - some practical advice. Figure Painting, Anatomy, and Portraiture Figure Painting, Anatomy, and Portraiture Figure Painting, Anatomy, and Portraiture Figure Painting, Anatomy, and Portraiture Skin Tone Painting Tips -- Mixing Skin Tones Skin Tone Painting Tips -- Mixing Skin Tones Skin Tone Painting Tips -- Mixing Skin Tones Skin Tone Painting Tips -- Mixing Skin Tones htm htm htm htm

Research: Find 3 self portraits of artists you like using artlex.com/ArtLex/s/self-portrait.html. Write about each artist; period of time the artist worked in. Compare their styles, the palette the artists used and the painting techniques of each artist. Reflect about how you can incorporate their style into your work. Find 3 self portraits of artists you like using artlex.com/ArtLex/s/self-portrait.html. Write about each artist; period of time the artist worked in. Compare their styles, the palette the artists used and the painting techniques of each artist. Reflect about how you can incorporate their style into your work. You may present this as a paper or a power point. You may present this as a paper or a power point. Content (50 points) Content (50 points) 5 Points - There is a title page. Includes names of artists studied, your name and class (copyright statement – if a power point) 5 points each - Information on each artist and the period they worked in with examples of their work 5 points each - Information on each artist and the period they worked in with examples of their work 30 points - Comparison page – picture of their self portraits 30 points - Comparison page – picture of their self portraits Bullets (with written note cards) or written information on their art style, palette and painting technique Bullets (with written note cards) or written information on their art style, palette and painting technique 10 points – Closing paragraph – Reflection on what you like about each artist’s style and how you can incorporate this into your work. 10 points – Closing paragraph – Reflection on what you like about each artist’s style and how you can incorporate this into your work. 5 points - A bibliography page 5 points - A bibliography page

Sketches Create a list of ten words that best describe who you are. Create a list of ten words that best describe who you are. Create charcoal sketches of your face in the mirror. Create charcoal sketches of your face in the mirror. Create charcoal gesture sketches of a live model. Create charcoal gesture sketches of a live model. Create sketches of a live model using achromatic, warm and cool grays, compliments and warm and cool color schemes. Create sketches of a live model using achromatic, warm and cool grays, compliments and warm and cool color schemes. Create 3 sketches of possible paintings to five of the words on your word list Create 3 sketches of possible paintings to five of the words on your word list

Painting Assignment Create a portrait using a color scheme and artistic style that best describes who you are.