Whether you are a professional artist or just starting out, painting portraits is a great way to showcase your artistic abilities and capture the essence of the person you’re painting. It can also be challenging at times as you need to put in a lot of time and effort to get things right. Finding ways to improve your portrait-painting skills can also be quite rewarding. In this article, portrait painter Jared Ailstock highlights five essential tips that will help you take your portrait-painting skills to the next level:
See the subject in different lights
A single painting of a person in one lighting condition can be quite different from another painting in a different lighting condition. Be sure to paint your portraits in different lighting conditions to capture the true personality and essence of your subject. While the first two paintings are done in natural light at around 6:30 in the evening, the other two were painted in studio lights and can be from noon to 4:00 in the afternoon. Why? The dynamics of light and colour are different in different lighting conditions. It is common for painters to get locked into one particular style or technique, which can result in less-than-impressive paintings. You can also explore new techniques and painting styles that interest you, and expand your painting abilities.
Work from live models
While this may sound like a challenge for beginners, professional artist Jared Ailstock highly recommends this practice. Working from live models is the best way to develop your skills and refine your techniques. It also helps you get more familiar with the subject’s face shape, expressions, and postures. During the initial stages of painting portraits, you may find it challenging to work from models. However, with practice, you can successfully create lifelike and engaging paintings. If you are interested in painting from live models, do not hesitate to ask your client to pose for you. This is also a good way to get more practice. And if you are interested in creating realistic paintings, working from live models is ideal for you.
Get to know your subject’s face shape and characteristics
This tip is especially important for those who want to elevate their portrait-painting skills. It is very important to get to know your subject’s face shape and characteristics. You can do this by painting a series of portraits of the subject from various angles, from different lighting conditions, and from various distances. You can also ask your subject to get into different poses and expressions for you to capture them in various ways. This will help you paint a more complete and complete image of your subject.
Furthermore, it is also important to get to know your subject’s facial expressions, emotions, and attitudes. You can do this by painting a series of portraits of the subject from various angles, from different lighting conditions, and from various distances. You can also ask your subject to get into different poses and expressions for you to capture them in various ways. This will help you paint a more complete and complete image of your subject.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with new techniques and styles
Painting portraits can be challenging, especially if you only work in one particular style and technique. While getting to know your subject’s face shape and characteristics is important, it is also important to explore new styles and techniques to increase your painting skills. Painting from live models, working from different angles, and using different paints help you add a creative spin to your portraits and make them more appealing, explains Jared Ailstock. It is also a good idea to explore new styles and techniques to add a creative twist to your paintings. While most artists stick to one particular style and technique, it is also beneficial to experiment with new styles and techniques to expand your painting abilities. You can do this by working from live models, painting from different angles and angles, using a different paint colour palette, and mixing colours.
Stay consistent
A final tip to improve your portrait-painting skills is to stay consistent. Consistent painting is much better than an impulsive approach with a lot of experimentation and error. Consistent painting helps you improve your painting skills and refine your techniques. It also helps you stay focused and disciplined. It can be challenging to stay consistent when you are exploring new styles and techniques, but you can do it with practice and patience. There is no doubt that painting portraits is challenging and can be frustrating at times. You need to be patient and persistent in order to master this art form. With a little hard work, dedication, and practice, you can become an accomplished portrait painter.