Portrait painting tips – Part 2

These are a few, very important tips when painting a portrait.

1. Firstly you need to paint the background, you may work into it later, however I believe that you must have something there to begin with.

2. Once you have your background sorted. You need to paint or draw in the proportions of the person. The features being in the correct place will make or break your end product.

3. Choosing the correct shades for the skin color can be difficult, if you make a mistake sometimes changing the color of the clothing or hair could make all the difference.

4. Remember to focus on the shadows and lines of the features that you are painting.

5. Keep painting! It’s amazing how people give up too early in the portrait process.

6. Paint the main color in and blend back into your work. Do not be afraid of a dry brush for a different effect or using a lot of paint.

7. Take time to stand back and look at your portrait from a distance, sometimes you have the correct effect but are too close up to see it.

8. Join a painting group for some constructive criticism. You never know, they may have some good ideas or may just make a comment that changes your perspective. Its also fun to paint in a group.

9. If you are having someone sit for you take a photo for comparison later.

10. Have faith in yourself and no matter what the critics say if you are happy with the end product then that is all that matters. Use your right for artistic license to change colors and enjoy the portrait painting experience.