An insight into painting a portrait. Challenges are revealed as the artist reads 'between the lines' that make up the ingredients of this fascinating art form.
Painting a Portrait is more than the facial details it is specialising in their uniqueness. How often we see portraits that do no more than show a superficial likeness and nothing else. One must learn to reveal the inner person; explanation of ‘artists vision.’
Colour decision making:
The portrait painter reflects something of their own personality in the choice of colour used. This choice, correctly made will achieve a visual pleasure in your painting. The correct balance of colour will make the painting alive and pleasing to the eye.
Painting is both craft and art. Paint is the artists medium of expression; craft is the combination of preparation and application of the chosen medium ( the sample is painted in Pastels)This application is known as 'handling' which is the signature of the artist personal style.To paint a portrait is a most challenging subject for the artist.
There are rewards of great satisfaction to capture the expression of a human likeness.
NOTE: An artist should look beyond the wrinkles and 'see' character lines.
Hints:
*The artist should aim to paint a memorable likeness and inner quality beneath that likeness. A successful portrait is just that when the artist and subject are compatible.
*A meeting of the artist and sitter, prior to the beginning of the painting is a recommended idea.
*Choose the most outstanding features, these will be the focal points of the portrait. Every expression of the face and figure should be observed.
NOTE: chat as you paint, throughout the sitting; encourage the sitter to talk about themselves, their work, hobbies, ambitions and achievements as these discussions usually animate their expression.
Prelude to a painting:
*Some pitfalls to avoid. An artist must try not to execute the details too soon, as one will destroy simplicity of the head as a whole.
*No part of a portrait exists by itself, one must learn to look at the face as a whole, and not one feature at a time.
*Every new subject is a challenge, as we are all unique.
*The eyes are often the dominant feature in a face, so one should try to maintain eye contact with the subject, but they should be painted with the subject being unaware at that time, as they can become self-conscious and then could blink the eye movements or worse still just stare!
*The mouth should be painted softly and flexible, with no hard lines. The final statement of expression is the accent of the division between the lips; this with the corners of the mouth decides the form of their shape.
Visit for some lessons in pastel portraits.
Summary:
1.A portrait is the accumulation of numerous expressions suggested as the artist sees them. Some expressions come fleetingly and must be recorded immediately; here I repeat the importance of viewing the head as a whole and being prepared to leave an area you may be working on, to place a stroke here and there to indicate the expressions as they appear, before they elude you.
2.There is a danger with the tendency to linger and elaborate over certain features in the early stages and it is a good idea to sustain the emotion.
3.The final touches should be so subtle that they go unobserved, allowing the final impression to reveal something about the subject which is independent of nationality or age.
4.The artist should feel a sense of achievement, if the rapport with the subject has been congenial, both the artist and subject will be satisfied as the mystique of the person is revealed. Happy portrait painting.
