Realistic Acrylic Portrait School

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How to Paint Realistic Wrinkles on Jeans in Acrylic

How to Paint Realistic Wrinkles on Jeans in Acrylic

Bring fabric to life: step-by-step guide to painting wrinkles on denim in acrylic portraits

 Introduction

In portrait painting, every detail matters, especially when it comes to rendering fabric. The way fabric wrinkles and folds can add a level of realism that brings a portrait to life. In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to paint realistic wrinkles on jeans using acrylics, a technique that will add depth and texture to your work.

Step 1: Understanding Fabric Dynamics

Before diving into the painting process, it’s crucial to understand how fabric behaves. Jeans, being made of denim, have a sturdy yet flexible structure. When painting wrinkles, pay attention to the direction of the light, the fabric’s tension, and where the jeans naturally crease. Study reference photos to get a good grasp of how light interacts with the folds and how shadows are cast.

Step 2: Preparing Your Canvas

Start with a well-prepared canvas or hardboard. Ensure that the surface is smooth, as this will allow for finer details when painting the wrinkles. If your canvas has a rough texture, consider sanding it lightly to achieve a smoother finish. Apply a base coat that reflects the overall color of the jeans, typically a mid-tone blue or gray.

Step 3: Blocking in the Main Colors

Using a flat brush, block in the main colors of the jeans. Begin with the mid-tones, covering the entire area where the jeans will be. Use a mix of ultramarine blue and a touch of black for a typical denim color. Once the base is dry, start adding the lighter tones where the fabric catches the light and darker tones where the shadows are deepest.

Step 4: Adding the Wrinkles

With the base colors in place, it’s time to add the wrinkles. Use a fine detail brush to paint the lines of the wrinkles. Start with the darkest shadows within the folds using a mix of ultramarine blue and burnt umber. Follow the natural flow of the fabric as it folds and creases, keeping your brushstrokes smooth and fluid.

Step 5: Creating Depth with Highlights and Shadows

To create depth, alternate between adding shadows and highlights. For shadows, use a darker tone of your base color mixed with a small amount of black. Apply this in the deepest parts of the wrinkles. For highlights, mix your base color with white or a light gray. Apply the highlights to the peaks of the wrinkles where the light hits. This contrast between light and shadow is what will make the wrinkles appear three-dimensional.

Step 6: Refining the Wrinkles

Once you’ve established the basic wrinkles, refine them by softening the transitions between light and shadow. Use a dry brush technique to blend the edges of the shadows and highlights. This will give the wrinkles a more natural and less harsh appearance. If necessary, go back and add more shadows or highlights to enhance the depth further.

Step 7: Detailing the Fabric Texture

To make the denim texture more realistic, you can add fine details that mimic the weave of the fabric. Use a small brush to create tiny lines and dots that follow the direction of the fabric. This step is subtle but can add a lot of realism to the overall painting.

Step 8: Final Touches

Take a step back and examine your painting. Are the wrinkles convincing? Do they follow the natural flow of the fabric? Make any necessary adjustments, adding more highlights or deepening the shadows where needed. Finally, seal your painting with a gloss or matte varnish to protect it and bring out the vibrancy of the colors.

Conclusion

Painting wrinkles on jeans in an acrylic portrait requires attention to detail and a good understanding of how fabric behaves. By following these steps and practicing, you’ll be able to create lifelike fabric textures that add realism and depth to your portraits. Remember, the key is in the contrast between light and shadow, so take your time to build these elements gradually. Happy painting!

To learn more watch my free tutorial about how to paint wrinkles on your jeans acrylic portrait painting.

LEARN MORE

Read more about how to paint a portrait that you can surely be proud of!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’ll greatly help you.

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me.  I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.  

Yours for Better Portraits,

Signature_200dpi_sm.jpg

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it on ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

The Secrets on How to Realistically Shade White Clothing

The Secrets on How to Realistically Shade White Clothing

The secrets to perfectly shading white clothing in acrylic paint.

White clothing in portraits can be challenging to paint, especially when aiming for a realistic look. Unlike darker hues, white requires a delicate balance of shading and highlighting to convey depth and texture without losing its brightness. In this tutorial, you’ll learn the secrets to realistically shading white clothing using acrylics, ensuring your portrait stands out with life-like detail.

Understanding the importance of value over color

When it comes to painting realistic portraits, value—the lightness or darkness of a color—is far more critical than the actual color itself. Many artists tend to focus heavily on color, especially when working on skin tones or clothing, but the true key to realism lies in mastering value. By correctly identifying and applying the right values, you can create a strong sense of depth and form, making your artwork more convincing.

To aid in this process, consider using a value checker tool. This simple yet effective tool allows you to compare the values in your painting with those in your reference photo, ensuring accuracy and enhancing the realism of your work. You can find a downloadable value checker tool online, which can be easily set up on your canvas for quick reference.

Key techniques for shading white clothing

1. Strategic Placement of Darker Areas

  • Identifying Shadowed Regions: White clothing, although light, will have areas where light doesn’t reach, resulting in shadows that are darker than you might expect. Observing your reference photo carefully, identify these shadowed regions, such as under the arms, around folds, and where the fabric tucks into itself.
  • Mixing the Right Shades: Start by mixing a gray using raw umber, ultramarine blue, alizarine crimson, and titanium white. These colors will allow you to create a range of gray tones that can simulate shadows on white fabric. Adjust the mixture as needed to achieve the correct shade—warmer or cooler depending on the specific area you are working on.

2. Layering for Depth

  • Building Up Shadows Gradually: Instead of applying a single dark tone, build up shadows in layers. Begin with a lighter gray and gradually darken the area with additional layers. This approach allows you to control the depth of the shadow and create a smoother transition between light and dark areas.
  • Enhancing Realism Through Glazing: Glazing is a technique where thin layers of translucent paint are applied over dry layers to subtly alter the color and value. This method can be particularly effective when shading white clothing, as it helps to blend the shadows seamlessly into the lighter areas without harsh lines.

3. Balancing Warm and Cool Tones

  • Using Color Temperature to Your Advantage: White clothing often reflects the surrounding environment, which can result in slight variations in color temperature across the fabric. Warmer areas may have a hint of raw umber or alizarine crimson, while cooler areas might reflect ultramarine blue. By subtly shifting the color temperature in your shading, you can add a level of sophistication and realism to your painting.
  • Avoiding Flatness: It’s crucial to avoid making the white clothing appear flat. By carefully blending warm and cool tones, and paying attention to the subtleties in your reference photo, you can maintain the fabric’s texture and three-dimensionality.

Tips for Achieving Professional Results

  • Use a Small Round Brush for Precision: A size 4 round brush is ideal for applying shadows in tight areas and for adding fine details to your shading. This brush type allows for greater control, especially when working on intricate folds or small sections of fabric.
  • Keep the Light Source in Mind: Always be aware of the light source in your reference image. The direction and intensity of the light will dictate where the shadows fall and how dark they should be. This understanding is key to creating a realistic portrayal of white clothing.
  • Avoid Pure Black: While it might be tempting to use black paint for the darkest shadows, this can result in a harsh and unnatural appearance. Instead, mix your own dark grays using a combination of ultramarine blue, raw umber, and alizarine crimson. This custom mix will give you a more natural and harmonious shadow that complements the rest of the painting.
  • Don’t Overlook the Highlights: While shading is essential, so are the highlights. Adding subtle highlights with titanium white in the areas where the light hits the fabric the most will enhance the three-dimensional effect of the clothing.

Shading white clothing in acrylic portraits can be challenging, but with the right techniques, it becomes an achievable task that adds a tremendous amount of realism to your artwork. By focusing on value, carefully layering your shadows, and paying attention to the subtleties of color temperature, you can master this skill and elevate your portrait painting to new heights. Remember, practice is key, so keep experimenting with different shades and techniques until you find what works best for you.

Read more about my additional resources, tutorials, to learn more and check out my free courses here. . Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, there’s always something new to learn and apply to your paintings. Happy painting!

LEARN MORE

Read more about how to paint a portrait that you can surely be proud of!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’ll greatly help you.

 

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me.  I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.  

 

Yours for Better Portraits,

Signature_200dpi_sm.jpg

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it on ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

 

 

 

 

Weird Way to Apply Gesso to Your Canvas

Weird Way How to Apply Gesso to Your Canvas

Most store-bought canvases are not primed very well and can benefit from another layer or two of gesso. 

Introduction:

When it comes to preparing a canvas for painting, most artists stick to traditional methods. However, there’s an unconventional technique that can give you a smoother surface and enhance the detail in your work. In this tutorial, we’ll explore a unique way to apply gesso to your canvas using a drywall taping knife. This method not only helps in creating a finer texture but also saves you from extensive sanding later on. Let’s dive into this step-by-step guide.

The Tools You’ll Need:

Before starting, gather the necessary tools and materials. You’ll need:

  • Gesso: The base primer for your canvas.
  • Matte Medium: Helps to smooth out the gesso and make it more fluid.
  • Drywall Taping Knife (6-inch): The star of this method for spreading the gesso evenly.
  • Flat Edge Paintbrush: For initial application.
  • Yogurt Container: To mix the gesso and matte medium.
  • Gloves and Apron: To protect your hands and clothing.

Preparing the Gesso Mixture:

  1. Mixing the Gesso: Begin by pouring a small amount of gesso into a container—an empty yogurt cup works perfectly. Fill it about a quarter of the way.
  2. Adding Matte Medium: To ensure a smoother application, add a few squirts of matte medium into the gesso. This addition will make the mixture more fluid, helping it spread more easily across the canvas.
  3. Stirring: Use a palette knife to thoroughly mix the gesso and matte medium. Ensure the consistency is even, with no lumps or dry spots.

Applying the Gesso:

  1. Initial Application with a Brush: Dip your flat edge paintbrush into the gesso mixture, and apply it to the top left corner of your canvas. Brush downwards, covering the entire surface. Aim for a generous, even coat.
  2. Smoothing with the Drywall Taping Knife: After applying the gesso, grab your drywall taping knife. Starting at the top, use even pressure to smooth the gesso down the canvas. Work in long, continuous strokes to avoid leaving streaks or ridges.
  3. Feathering the Edges: As you work, you may notice ridges forming on the surface. To remove these, lightly graze the surface with the taping knife, using minimal pressure. This technique will help blend the gesso evenly across the canvas.

Troubleshooting Common Issues:

  • Dealing with Ridges: If ridges persist, continue feathering them out with the knife. Adjust your pressure as needed, moving from firm to light strokes to achieve a smooth finish.
  • Applying Additional Layers: If the first coat is too thin, allow it to dry and then apply a second coat using the same method. This additional layer can further enhance the smoothness of your canvas.

Final Touches:

After the gesso has dried, it’s time to inspect the canvas. Look for any remaining ridges or imperfections. If you find any, lightly sand the surface using a 250 or 300-grit sandpaper. This step will ensure an ultra-smooth finish, ready for painting.

Tips for Success:

  • Work Quickly: Gesso can dry fast, especially in a warm environment. To prevent streaks, work swiftly when applying and smoothing the gesso.
  • Use the Right Tools: While a larger drywall trowel can be used, a 6-inch taping knife offers better control and precision, especially on smaller canvases.
  • Practice Makes Perfect: This technique may take some getting used to, but with practice, you’ll find it easier to achieve a smooth, professional-quality canvas.

Using a drywall taping knife to apply gesso might seem unusual, but it’s a powerful technique for artists seeking a smoother canvas surface. By following these steps, you can minimize brush strokes, reduce the need for sanding, and create a better foundation for your paintings.

Read more about my additional resources, tutorials, to learn more and check out my free courses here. . Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, there’s always something new to learn and apply to your paintings. Happy painting!

LEARN MORE

Read more about how to paint a portrait that you can surely be proud of!

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’ll greatly help you.

 

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me.  I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.  

 

Yours for Better Portraits,

Signature_200dpi_sm.jpg

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it on ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

 

 

 

 

How to Block-in Dark Values on Chiaroscuro Acrylic

How to Block-in Dark Values on Chiaroscuro Acrylic

How to layer and blend acrylic paint for depth

When creating a chiaroscuro painting, one of the most critical steps is blocking in the dark values. This technique emphasizes the contrast between light and dark, producing dramatic lighting and depth. In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to apply dark tones strategically using acrylics, helping you to achieve a balanced and realistic portrayal. By following along, you’ll understand the key methods for effectively handling dark values to improve your paintings.

Materials and Paint Mixtures for Blocking-In

Before diving into the process, it’s important to prepare the correct materials. In this tutorial, we’ll be using a mix of raw umber dark, ultramarine blue, and burnt sienna. The combination of these colors allows for the creation of rich, dark tones. When mixed together, these shades form the ideal hues for blocking in the shadows that define the chiaroscuro technique.

Make sure to have these materials ready:

  • Raw Umber Dark
  • Ultramarine Blue
  • Burnt Sienna
  • Alizarine Crimson (optional for richness)
  • Flat Brushes in Various Sizes
  • Matte Medium

Step 1: Preparing the Dark Values

To begin with, mix raw umber dark and ultramarine blue on your palette, aiming for a deep and cool-toned black. Add a touch of burnt sienna to warm up the mixture slightly. This blend serves as the base for your dark values.

Tip:

For added richness, you can include a hint of alizarine crimson. This will introduce subtle depth to your shadows, making them more visually dynamic.

Once your color is mixed, load your brush and ensure you have enough paint to cover large sections of the painting.

Step 2: Blocking in the Shadows

Start by using a larger flat brush to block in the darkest areas of your subject. These shadows define the structure of your composition and help establish the dramatic lighting that is key to chiaroscuro. Use a bold, confident stroke to apply the dark paint, particularly in the background areas or where the deepest shadows fall.

Technique Tip:

Apply the paint in diagonal strokes for a smoother finish. As acrylic dries quickly, you’ll need to blend while the paint is still wet. Thin the paint with matte medium if needed to increase translucency, ensuring smoother transitions between values.

Step 3: Cutting Around the Edges

When working around detailed parts of the painting, such as the subject’s clothing or hair, switch to a smaller brush for precision. Carefully “cut” around these areas, making sure the dark values don’t intrude on the lighter portions of the painting.

This step is crucial for maintaining the balance between hard and soft edges, which enhances the realism of your artwork.

Technique Tip:

Leave a slight gap where highlights will go later. This will help prevent overlapping, which can muddy the dark tones. If you make a mistake, don’t worry—you can fix it with additional layers later.

Step 4: Balancing Opacity and Transparency

As you apply the dark paint, consider how opaque or translucent you want the layer to be. More opaque paint will create stronger contrasts, while translucent layers help smooth out transitions. Then, gradually build up to a fully opaque black background or shadow as you work.

Technique Tip:

If your paint dries unevenly or too quickly, but you use a perpendicular brush stroke to avoid digging into the surface. When you hold the brush lightly and ease the pressure as you near the top of the stroke, creating a smooth, seamless gradient.

Step 5: Smoothing Out the Dark Layers

Once you’ve blocked in the major dark areas, take time to smooth out any rough patches. Use a soft, diagonal stroke to blend between different tones. Work from dark to light, gradually using less paint as you move into the lighter areas of the painting. This smooth transition is essential for maintaining the realistic feel of chiaroscuro.

Technique Tip:

If areas become choppy or uneven, apply another layer of paint. To avoid this, maintain consistent brush pressure and direction.

Step 6: Enhancing the Richness of Shadows

To add more depth to your painting, apply additional layers of dark values where needed. For example, you might deepen the shadows on fabric folds or darken areas behind your subject. A careful balance of hard edges and soft transitions will bring out the three-dimensionality of your work.

Incorporating subtle shifts between cooler and warmer dark tones—achieved by adjusting your mix with ultramarine blue or burnt sienna—further enhances the richness of the shadows.

Achieving Contrast in Chiaroscuro Painting

Blocking in dark values is a vital component of creating a successful chiaroscuro painting. Then, by using a balanced mixture of raw umber dark, ultramarine blue, and burnt sienna, and applying it with precision and confidence, you can build the dramatic contrast needed for a striking and realistic result. Also, always, remember to carefully blend your strokes, maintain a balance between soft and hard edges, and layer your paint for added depth.

With practice, these techniques will help you master chiaroscuro acrylic painting, giving your portraits a sense of realism and intensity that captivates viewers.

Read more about my additional resources, tutorials, to learn more and check out my free courses here. . Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, there’s always something new to learn and apply to your paintings. Happy painting!

LEARN MORE

Read more about how to paint a portrait that you can surely be proud of!

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’ll greatly help you.

 

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me.  I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.  

 

Yours for Better Portraits,

Signature_200dpi_sm.jpg

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it on ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

 

 

acrylic medium gloss matte

Matte Medium vs. Gloss Medium for Acrylic Glazing

Students who are new to my glazing technique have a lot of questions. So many mediums to choose from. Which ones are best to use…and why?

That’s what I want to discuss today.

Here’s a portion of an email I got from one of my students: 

As you know, I am currently working on your portrait course at the moment, however, I have a question that I hope you can clarify. All previous information I have looked up indicates that when applying glazes, acrylic matte medium dries cloudy and gloss medium dries clear and obviously glossy. Can you just explain it for me why we only use matte medium for glazing in your tutorial, as my initial thoughts would be that the cloudiness would just build up? Or am I just missing the l point in that this is how we build up the underpainting of the portrait? Many Thanks, R—

This is a good question.

So, what’s better for glazing? Matte medium or gloss medium?

Let me answer that with the reply I sent back to my student. 

I use matte medium for three reasons:

1. It dries to a flat finish and so it doesn’t react with the lights in my studio, producing distracting glare.

2. Because it dries to a flat finish, it is closer to the sheen of paint, and so when you have areas that are more opaque and less opaque, they match up better. In other words, you can perceive the values more accurately. A glossy finish will make colors look more saturated and deepen values. When you put a varnish over the painting, it would present a problem, causing certain subtle nuances that seemed to look correct, suddenly become inaccurate. (Yes, this happened to me!)

acrylic painting palette


3. Matte medium is usually less expensive than gloss medium. With the copious amounts of medium that I use, this adds up!

Now, I don’t find that matte medium builds up cloudiness, in the way that I teach. It will get cloudy, if you have areas of your painting that are quite dark or saturated, and you overlap those areas with a very transparent (high ratio of matte medium to paint) glaze.

But I don’t do it that way in my paintings. Rather, I start off very transparent, (95-5) then shift to more translucent (80-20), and finally end up with semi-opaque layers (50-50) over portions of the work.

acrylic portrait painting challenge in progress

Acrylic portrait painting challenge example in progressm using the acrylic glazing technique, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas by artist and instructor Matt Philleo

 

Matt Philleo painting an acrylic portrait from a photo for the Spring Portrait Painting Challenge ©2020 by Matt Philleo


This prevents that cloudiness from occurring and gives a rich saturation of color too. But we still retain the benefits of the smooth shading, vibrancy, and depth that glazing produces.

I finish my painting with a satin or semi-gloss varnish and that’s where we can add some extra saturation of value and vibrancy.

What is YOUR experience with acrylic mediums? Which do you prefer…and why? Let me know in the comments below.

Look forward to sharing more tips and tutorials with you.

Yours for Better Portraits,

Signature_200dpi_sm.jpg

 

If you found this post helpful or encouraging, would you send it on ahead? Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! 

3 Light Sources to Improve Your Painting

How to Improve Your Painting with 3 Different Light Sources

Enhance realism in your portrait with three essential light sources

Lighting plays a crucial role in bringing life, depth, and realism to any painting. In this tutorial, we’ll explore three distinct types of light sources—primary, secondary, and reflected—and how understanding their influence can significantly elevate your artwork. By applying these techniques, your acrylic paintings will achieve greater dimensionality and accuracy.

The Importance of Light in Painting

Light is more than just a means of illumination in painting; it’s a fundamental aspect that shapes the entire composition. By controlling how light interacts with your subject, you guide the viewer’s eye, evoke mood, and provide depth. In this guide, we will break down how to use three key light sources: the primary light, secondary light, and reflected light. Understanding and incorporating these elements will improve your shading and realism.

1. Primary Light Source: The Foundation of Your Shading

What is the Primary Light Source?

The primary light source is the strongest and brightest light source in your composition. It typically represents sunlight or indoor lighting and dictates the overall direction of your shadows. Its intensity and position influence the most pronounced highlights and shadows in your painting.

For instance, in my painting depicting Acts Chapter 3, where Peter and John raise a lame man through the power of Christ, the early morning sunlight acts as the primary light source. The sunlight strikes the subject’s face from a low angle, illuminating the upper lip, the folds of the clothing, and parts of the hands.

Tips for Utilizing the Primary Light Source:

  • Observe Carefully: Always determine where your light is coming from and maintain consistency throughout the painting.
  • Highlighting Areas: Focus on the parts that receive the most light. In the case of early morning or late afternoon sunlight, lower parts of the face and body may catch more light than expected.
  • Adjust Your Shadows: The placement of shadows is just as important as light. Always cross-check your reference photo to make sure your shadows are aligned with the direction of your light source.

2. Secondary Light Source: The Ambient Glow

What is the Secondary Light Source?

The secondary light source often comes from the surrounding environment, such as the sky, and casts a softer, more diffuse light on the subject. In outdoor scenes, this source is often the sky itself, reflecting a bluish hue, particularly on white or light-colored surfaces. In our example, the man’s white clothing catches the blue light from the sky, creating a cooler tone in areas not directly lit by the sun.

Techniques for Working with Secondary Light:

  • Identify Sky Reflections: In outdoor paintings, observe how the sky’s light reflects on surfaces. White clothing or reflective surfaces, like water, will often take on a blue tint, especially in shadowed areas.
  • Balance Between Light and Shadow: Secondary light softens the harshness of shadows, so areas that aren’t in the direct path of your primary light will still be illuminated subtly by this ambient light.
  • Use Cooler Tones: For realism, incorporate cool tones like blue or gray into your shadows, depending on the light conditions.

3. Reflected Light: Adding Warmth and Depth

What is Reflected Light?

Reflected light is light that bounces off nearby surfaces and illuminates the subject indirectly. This light is typically softer and more diffuse but can drastically affect the realism of your painting. It often carries the color of the surface it reflects off, adding warmth or coolness to your shadows and shaded areas. In the example painting, reflected light is noticeable in areas like the underside of the subject’s clothing folds. The light bouncing off nearby fabric creates a warm reflection, adding a soft glow to areas that would otherwise be in deep shadow.

Techniques for Enhancing Reflected Light:

  • Observe Reflections: Pay attention to the surfaces around your subject. If the surroundings are warm, like red earth or yellow walls, the reflected light will also have warm tones. Conversely, cooler surfaces will result in cooler reflected light.
  • Subtle Shading: Use lighter and warmer hues to depict areas affected by reflected light. This will prevent your shadows from appearing too flat or dark.
  • Layer Colors: Build up your reflected light in layers to gradually introduce warmth. For example, in fabric folds or near reflective surfaces, layer warm tones like burnt sienna or yellow ochre to create soft light effects.

Transitioning Between Light Sources

Transitioning between these light sources can be seamless if done correctly. Begin by establishing your primary light source and its direct effects on the subject. Next, incorporate secondary light by softly blending cooler tones into areas of shadow. Lastly, add reflected light in strategic places to provide warmth and realism, particularly in areas where the primary and secondary light sources don’t reach.

For example, you might use a glaze of blue over shadowed areas of clothing to represent the secondary light source, then add a touch of warm, reflected light where appropriate. By working gradually and layering your glazes, you’ll create smoother transitions and enhance the depth in your painting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Inconsistent Light Sources: Always ensure that the direction and intensity of your light sources are consistent throughout the painting. If one side of the face is illuminated by the primary light, the shadows should align accordingly.
  2. Overly Harsh Shadows: While shadows are important for creating depth, overly dark or hard-edged shadows can make a painting look unnatural. Soften them with secondary and reflected light.
  3. Ignoring Reflected Light: This light source can add a lot of life and dimension to your painting. Don’t overlook areas that could benefit from subtle reflected light, like the undersides of objects or folds in clothing.

Elevate Your Painting with Light Mastery

By understanding and employing these three light sources—primary, secondary, and reflected light—you can bring more realism and depth into your painting. Whether you’re working on portraits, landscapes, or still life, mastering the nuances of light will take your artwork to the next level.

Practice observing light in the world around you and apply these principles to your paintings. Before long, you’ll see noticeable improvements in the depth, realism, and overall impact of your work.

Read more about my additional resources, tutorials, to learn more and check out my free courses here. . Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, there’s always something new to learn and apply to your paintings. Happy painting!

3 Light Sources to Improve Your Painting

LEARN MORE

Read more about how to paint a portrait that you can surely be proud of!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’ll greatly help you.

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me.  I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.  

Yours for Better Portraits,

Signature_200dpi_sm.jpg

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it on ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

How to Line up the Features in a Portrait

How to Line up the Feature in a Portrait

 Let me show you a common mistake many artists make (I have too) when it comes to painting or drawing portraits where the head is tilted.

Creating a successful portrait hinges on one critical element—getting the features aligned properly. When done right, this technique ensures that your painting captures the subject’s likeness and proportions realistically. This post will walk you through how to line up the features in a portrait, offering tips and techniques to help you achieve accurate results. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, these guidelines will help you improve your portrait drawing and painting skills.

Outline:

  • Introduction
  • Importance of Aligning Facial Features
  • Understanding Facial Angles
  • The Role of Symmetry in Portraits
  • Using Reference Lines and Grids
  • Adjusting Key Features (Eyes, Nose, and Mouth)
  • Tips and Techniques for Accurate Feature Alignment
  • Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Portrait painting is an art form that demands precision, especially when it comes to the placement of facial features. Aligning the features correctly is critical for achieving likeness and proportion in your portraits. In this post, we will discuss how to analyze and line up the facial features to create a strong foundation for your artwork.

Importance of Aligning Facial Features

Facial feature alignment is essential for maintaining the natural proportions of a face. Even small misalignments can drastically change the overall expression and likeness of the subject. By paying attention to the angles, symmetry, and spacing between features, you can create more accurate and compelling portraits.

Understanding Facial Angles

One of the most common challenges artists face is capturing the tilt and angles of the face. Human nature tends to flatten irregular angles, making faces appear more symmetrical than they are in reality. However, understanding and depicting these angles is crucial for creating a realistic portrait.

For instance, the axis of the face changes depending on the tilt of the head. If the head is tilted, you need to adjust the angle of the eyes, eyebrows, and other features accordingly. A straight edge or ruler can help you visualize these angles, ensuring that the eyes, nose, and mouth follow the natural curve of the face.

The Role of Symmetry in Portraits

While it’s tempting to make features perfectly symmetrical, faces are rarely completely even. Symmetry is a guide but should not override the natural variances in a person’s face. It’s important to remember that the head is a three-dimensional object, and features like the eyes and ears will vary in size and position due to perspective and foreshortening.

For example, in a tilted face, the ear on one side may appear lower than the other. Understanding this and incorporating slight asymmetries will make your portrait look more lifelike.

Using Reference Lines and Grids

One of the most effective ways to ensure accuracy when aligning features is by using reference lines or grids. These visual guides allow you to map out the general proportions of the face before focusing on the finer details. A horizontal line across the eyes can serve as a baseline for positioning the nose and mouth.

Reference lines can also help you correct any slight misalignments in your sketch. If you notice that an eye or ear is too high or low, simply adjust it by following the guide lines.

Tips for Using Grids:

  • Divide the face into thirds horizontally: from the hairline to the eyebrows, eyebrows to the bottom of the nose, and nose to the chin.
  • Use vertical lines to mark the center of the face and to place the eyes evenly on both sides.
  • Extend your grid lines to the edges of your canvas to ensure that all features are placed proportionally.

Adjusting Key Features (Eyes, Nose, and Mouth)

After establishing your grid or reference lines, it’s time to place the features. The eyes, nose, and mouth form the primary axis of the face, so it’s important to get these features right.

Eyes

The eyes are a key point of focus in any portrait, and their placement can make or break the likeness of your subject. In a head tilted at an angle, the eyes will not be on a perfectly horizontal line. Adjust the angle based on the tilt and ensure that both eyes are proportionate in size. One eye may appear slightly smaller if it’s further away from the viewer, due to foreshortening.

Nose

The nose acts as a central point, anchoring the rest of the facial features. When the head is tilted, the angle of the nose changes as well. You may need to adjust its position slightly higher or lower to match the angle of the eyes. Pay attention to the nostrils and how they shift with the angle.

Mouth

The mouth follows the angle of the nose and eyes. In a tilted face, the corners of the mouth may appear uneven. Ensure that you draw the mouth in proportion to the rest of the face, adjusting the curve and placement of the lips based on the tilt.

Tips and Techniques for Accurate Feature Alignment

  1. Use a Ruler or Straight Edge: A simple straight edge can help you map out the tilt and angle of the eyes and other features.
  2. Observe Closely: Reference photos are your best tool for studying the natural angles and asymmetries in the face. Zoom in on key areas, like the eyes or mouth, to better understand their placement.
  3. Adjust as You Go: Don’t be afraid to make adjustments. If something looks off, realign it early in the sketching process before you commit to final lines or paint.
  4. Practice Grid Drawing: Use grids as a guide, especially if you’re new to portraiture. This will help you maintain correct proportions throughout the drawing.
  5. Refine with Layers: In acrylic painting, start with a rough sketch and refine the alignment as you add layers of paint.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

  • Flattening Angles: One of the most frequent errors is to make the features too symmetrical. Remember that faces are not perfectly even. Pay attention to the natural angles of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Misplacing Ears: When the head is tilted, the ears will not be on the same horizontal plane as the eyes. Adjust their placement based on the angle of the head.
  • Overcompensating for Perspective: While perspective is important, overcorrecting it can lead to distorted features. Use your reference lines to guide you, but don’t overcomplicate the perspective.

Aligning the features of a portrait is a crucial step in achieving a realistic likeness. By paying close attention to angles, symmetry, and the natural placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth, you can create a more accurate and lifelike portrait. Using grids and reference lines will help you maintain proper proportions, while adjusting key features based on the tilt and angle of the head will elevate your artwork.

Read more about my additional resources, tutorials, to learn more and check out my free courses here. . Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, there’s always something new to learn and apply to your paintings. Happy painting!

How to Line up the Features in a Portrait

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Read more about how to paint a portrait that you can surely be proud of!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’ll greatly help you.

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me.  I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.  

Yours for Better Portraits,

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P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it on ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

Paint Realistic Hair in an Acrylic Portrait

How To Paint Realistic Hair in Acrylic Portrait

Learn how to paint realistic hair in acrylic portraits with step-by-step glazing techniques, color tips, and layering strategies.

Painting realistic hair in an acrylic portrait requires more than just adding fine strands. Whereas it involves understanding the values, structure, and subtle details that bring life and depth to the hair. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the techniques used and then how to paint realistic hair in an acrylic portrait using the glazing technique. Whether you’re working on a professional portrait or a personal project, these tips will help elevate the realism of your work.

Understanding the Basics of Painting Hair

When painting hair in an acrylic portrait, it’s essential to recognize that you’re not painting every strand. Instead, focus on capturing the overall shape, texture, and lighting. The foundation you create with previous layers is so crucial to bringing out the final, detailed strands of hair.

  1. Simplify the Process:
    Start by identifying key sections and shapes of the hair. So that you can avoid the temptation to paint individual hairs immediately. Then break the hair into large areas of light and dark tones based on your reference photo. This method simplifies the painting process and helps establish the foundation for more detailed work later on.
  2. Focus on Values Over Color:
    Although hair color matters, the most crucial aspect of realistic hair painting is getting the values right. In this portrait, even though the subject has blonde hair, Philleo uses earth tones like raw umber dark and titanium white instead of vibrant yellow. This approach creates more natural and believable depth in the hair.

Painting Techniques: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Building Foundations with Glazing

Begin by glazing the hair with earth tones, focusing on creating distinct sections of light and shadow. This step lays the groundwork for more refined detailing later.

  • Tip: Use a size six round brush to achieve fine, pointed strokes. Glide the brush across the surface to mimic the natural flow of hair. Keep your hand light to avoid overly stiff or harsh lines.
  • Transition Tip: Remember to work gradually. Building hair detail with glazes is a process that involves multiple layers.

2. Identify and Paint Sections of Hair

Hair naturally falls into patterns, often forming small, triangular shapes, particularly with straight hair. These sections of hair create shadows and highlights, giving the impression of depth.

  • Technique: Observe the reference photo closely and break the hair into small, triangular sections. Paint the shadows and highlights accordingly to make the hair look full and natural.
  • Avoid Symmetry: Human hair isn’t perfectly symmetrical. Fight the tendency to make everything even or balanced. Adding randomness to the direction of strands creates a more lifelike effect.

3. Creating Depth with Shadows

To add realism, it’s crucial to paint the negative spaces between sections of hair. These are the shadows cast by overlapping strands, adding depth to the portrait.

  • Shadow Work: Use raw umber dark mixed with matte medium for the shadows. Focus on areas where strands meet or overlap. This approach helps to create the illusion of hair volume and natural flow.
  • Consecutive Steps: Once the shadows are in place, you can begin to add lighter strands of hair using titanium white to highlight areas where light hits.

4. Details with Opaque Paint

After establishing the base, it’s time to bring out finer details. For this step, use opaque paint to define individual strands and highlights that catch the light.

  • Focus Area: So you need to pay attention to where the hair catches the light the most. I add lighter strands at the top and along the outer edges of the hair, where the light source is strongest.
  • Use a Fine Brush: To achieve these delicate details, then make sure your brush tip is sharp and precise.

The Role of Geometry in Hair Painting

Interestingly, that hair can be broken down into geometric shapes like triangles. Whether it’s an isosceles or an equilateral triangle, recognizing these patterns helps in structuring the hair and creating a realistic flow.

  • Observation: Always observe your reference image closely to detect these subtle shapes. Then look for areas where hair breaks apart and casts shadows, creating a layered effect.
  • Math in Art: While art and math may seem worlds apart, understanding basic geometry can significantly enhance your painting techniques.

Bringing Realism with Color and Shading

Even though the subject in this portrait has blonde hair, using bright yellow would make it look unnatural. Instead, rely on muted tones like raw umber dark and titanium white, with only a hint of yellow where necessary.

  • Mixing Colors: Mix matte medium into your paint to create semi-translucent glazes that allow for subtle layering. I use burnt umber for areas where the hair meets the skin to create a soft transition.
  • Smooth Shading: The key to realistic hair lies in smooth transitions between light and shadow. When shading, use soft, curved strokes to mimic the natural flow of hair.

Final Touches and Enhancing Texture

To finish the portrait, refine any areas where the hair meets other facial features, such as the forehead or neck. And add final touches by using a fine brush to create hair strands that stand out from the rest.

  • Light Strokes: When you create individual hairs using light, swift strokes. You need to focus on areas that catch the most light, then giving the hair a shiny and voluminous appearance.
  • Highlighting Tip: A small amount of titanium white mixed with a tiny amount of matte medium can help create soft highlights, especially at the top layers of the hair.

Painting realistic hair in acrylic portraits requires careful observation, gradual layering, and attention to value rather than color. By focusing on the overall structure of the hair and adding details through glazing and opaque paint, you can achieve a natural, flowing appearance.

The most important takeaway is to work in stages. Build your foundation, then layer in shadows and highlights, always keeping in mind the natural randomness and flow of hair. Through patience and practice, you’ll be able to create stunning, lifelike hair in your acrylic portraits.

Read more about my additional resources, tutorials, to learn more and check out my free courses here. . Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, there’s always something new to learn and apply to your paintings. Happy painting!

LEARN MORE:

 

Read more about how to paint a portrait that you can surely be proud of!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’ll greatly help you.

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me.  I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.  

Yours for Better Portraits,

Signature_200dpi_sm.jpg

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it on ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

Paint the Same Acrylic Paintings Twice

From Sketch to Glaze: How to Recreate Famous Biblical Art with Acrylics

Bring biblical stories to life: layering and glazing techniques explained

In this tutorial, I’ll be walking you through the process of creating two iconic biblical paintings: Elijah and Elisha and the Loaves & Fishes. These are pieces I have painted before, but due to a client request, I’ll be recreating them using fresh techniques and perspectives. Artists may hesitate to replicate the same image, but it is a joy to recreate a beloved scene for a client, ensuring each iteration remains unique. In this post, you’ll learn how to use acrylic glazing techniques to add depth, warmth, and realism to your artwork.

Let’s get started by laying out the steps for this process, the following materials you’ll need, and some key painting tips.

Materials Needed

  • Acrylic paints: Burnt sienna, raw umber dark, ultramarine blue, phthalo blue, alizarine crimson, organic red orange, Indian yellow, and titanium white.
  • Matte medium: Used to thin out the paint for glazing.
  • Bristle brushes: Various sizes for large and small details.
  • Prismacolor pencils: For sketching (e.g., Burnt Ochre or Terracotta).
  • Reference photos: Use clear photo references to accurately capture details and lighting.

Step 1: Sketching the Scene with Prismacolor Pencils

When I start my paintings with a detailed sketch. In this case, I used prismacolor pencils (Terracotta or burnt ochre) to outline the main elements of both the Elijah and Elisha and Loaves & Fishes scenes. Sketching with colored pencils, instead of graphite, provides a better match for the painting, giving warmth and depth from the start.

Tip: Using colored pencils allows for easy erasure and smoother blending with your acrylic layers.

Step 2: Applying the First Glaze

The magic of acrylic glazing begins with applying thin layers of paint mixed with matte medium. Because in Loaves & Fishes painting, I started with a burnt sienna glaze. Then this color, a reddish-brown, is perfect for creating warm tones that reflect the natural lighting in the scene.

  • Mix the glaze: So I use a small amount of burnt sienna and mix it thoroughly with matte medium. The ratio should be about 1:4 (paint to medium).
  • Apply to canvas: Then gently apply this glaze in areas that need warm underpainting, like the background and parts of the basket.

Step 3: Blocking in Major Areas

Blocking is an essential step where you fill in large areas of your painting with color and value. In this case, I blocked in the background and began working on the fish and bread in the loaves & fishes painting. These areas need to be lighter, as the fish are illuminated by sunlight.

  • Use a larger brush: A broad bristle brush will help you cover large areas quickly.
  • Add shadows: Start building shadows using darker tones such as raw umber and burnt sienna.

Tip: Make sure to let each glaze dry before applying the next layer. Because this will give you more control over the depth and intensity of the colors.

Step 4: Enhancing Detail with Subsequent Glazes

Once the base layers are dry, you can begin refining the painting with more targeted glazing. For example, the basket in the Loaves & Fishes scene needs more dimension, so I applied several thin glazes of burnt sienna mixed with ultramarine blue to create the shadowed areas.

  • Use finer brushes: Switch to smaller brushes to work on detailed areas like the fish scales, the texture of the bread, or the folds in Elijah’s and Elisha’s garments.
  • Blending: Smooth out the transitions between highlights and shadows using a soft, dry brush to blend the edges of the glazes.

Step 5: Refining Textures

Textures bring realism to your painting. The basket in the Loaves & Fishes scene has a woven texture, and the Prophets’ robes have intricate fabric folds that need to be highlighted.

How to Add Texture:

  • Fish scales: Mix titanium white with a small amount of alizarine crimson to highlight the scales of the fish. Use a fine detail brush to gently stipple the highlights.
  • Basket weave: Use a dry brushing technique to create the appearance of woven strands in the basket.
  • Fabric folds: Apply a mix of burnt sienna and raw umber for shadowed areas, and then a lighter mix of titanium white and indian yellow for the highlights on the garments.

Step 6: Bringing the Painting to Life

The final step in the painting process is adding those last, crucial details that bring the painting to life. These details include refining the lighting, adding highlights to key areas, and making sure the overall composition is balanced.

  • Highlight the fish: The fish in the Loaves & Fishes painting catch sunlight, so I applied light touches of titanium white on the scales.
  • Subtle highlights: Use a very fine brush to add small touches of light to the faces of Elijah and Elisha. Because this brings focus to their expressions and adds to the spiritual depth of the painting.

Tips for Success

  • Use matte medium: Glazing with matte medium instead of water helps keep the colors vibrant and prevents the layers from becoming too translucent.
  • Work simultaneously on two paintings: While one painting is drying, you can move on to another. This helps keep your workflow efficient.
  • Don’t be afraid to go bold: Use strong colors like alizarine crimson or ultramarine blue in your glazes to add depth and vibrancy to your work.

Recreating Elijah and Elisha and The Loaves & Fishes scenes using the acrylic glazing technique has allowed me to explore new ways of adding depth and realism to my paintings. Each layer builds on the last, creating a complex yet harmonious image. Through patience and careful attention to detail, you can achieve striking results that capture both the essence of the biblical story and the vibrancy of the medium.

With the right techniques and tools, anyone can bring their own interpretations of timeless stories to life on canvas.

Read more about my additional resources, tutorials, to learn more and check out my free courses here. . Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, there’s always something new to learn and apply to your paintings. Happy painting!

LEARN MORE

Read more about how to paint a portrait that you can surely be proud of!

‘d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. It’ll greatly help you.

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me.  I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.  

Yours for Better Portraits,

Signature_200dpi_sm.jpg

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it on ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

 

Acrylic Glazing Technique in 2 Paintings

How to Paint 2 Paintings using Acrylic Glazing Technique

Explore the step-by-step process for painting two stunning pieces using the glazing technique

 In the world of acrylic painting, efficiency and creativity often go hand in hand. When faced with tight deadlines, artists can benefit from multitasking by working on two paintings at once. This method not only saves time but also allows for the exploration of different techniques and color applications simultaneously. In this blog post, then we will explore how to paint 2 paintings using the acrylic glazing technique. Because this technique is known for creating rich, luminous surfaces by building layers of color.

Understanding the Acrylic Glazing Technique

Acrylic glazing involves the application of transparent layers of paint to achieve depth and vibrancy in your artwork. Because mixing paint with a clear medium, artists can manipulate color intensity and transparency, allowing for greater control over the final appearance.

Materials Needed

To get started, ensure you have the following materials:

  • Acrylic paints (including nashville crimson and yellow)
  • Clear acrylic medium (matte medium is preferred)
  • Various brushes (flat and round, sizes varying from 1 inch to ½ inch)
  • Canvas or hardboard
  • Palette for mixing
  • Water container
  • Paper towels

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Preparation and Planning
    • Before diving into the paintings, plan your compositions. In this case, the two paintings being created are “Elijah Picking Up the Mantle of Elijah” and “The Loaves and Fishes.” So, it is important to work from reference photos to ensure accuracy in color and detail.
    • Set up your workspace to allow easy access to all materials and to also create a conducive environment for painting.
  2. Creating the Initial Glaze
    • Begin by preparing your glaze because a typical glaze consists of a mix of a clear medium and a small amount of acrylic paint. For example, combine Nashville crimson with matte medium in a ratio of approximately 70% medium to 30% paint.
    • Use a 1-inch flat brush to apply the glaze to the canvas, then ensure to push the color firmly into the grooves of the canvas for an even application.
  3. Layering Colors
    • Once the initial layer has dried, you can move on to layering additional colors. While one painting dries, work on the other to maximize efficiency.
    • For the painting of the loaves and fishes, introduce a yellow glaze to enhance luminosity. Apply this glaze using rapid strokes to maintain the distinct separation between the loaves and the fish.
  4. Reintroducing Colors for Unity
    • To create color harmony throughout both paintings, reintroduce colors used in one painting into the other. For instance, use the Nashville crimson in shadowed areas of the loaves and fishes to maintain a cohesive color palette.
    • This practice not only unifies the paintings but also adds depth to individual elements.
  5. Final Touches and Observations
    • As you finish, step back to assess both paintings. Each piece will exhibit unique characteristics due to the individual application of glazes and layering techniques.
    • Adjust highlights using a cooler color for secondary highlights and a warmer color for primary highlights to add dimensionality to the paintings.

Tips and Techniques for Successful Acrylic Glazing

  • Patience is Key: Allow each layer to dry before applying the next. This prevents muddiness and ensures clarity in your colors.
  • Experiment with Ratios: Different ratios of medium to paint can yield varying results, so do not hesitate to experiment until you find what works best for your style.
  • Use Quality Materials: Invest in quality acrylic paints and mediums to ensure the best results in your work.
  • Practice Makes Perfect: The more you practice the glazing technique, the more comfortable you will become. Don’t hesitate to try it on smaller canvases before committing to larger pieces.

Painting two artworks using the acrylic glazing technique can be an enriching experience that enhances your skill set and increases your efficiency. Because when layering colors thoughtfully and maintaining unity between the pieces, stunning results can be achieved. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, this technique offers a wonderful opportunity to explore the depths of color and creativity.

Read more about my additional resources, tutorials, to learn more and check out my free courses here. . Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, there’s always something new to learn and apply to your paintings. Happy painting!

LEARN MORE

Read more about how to paint a portrait that you can surely be proud of!

 I’d love to hear your thoughts on this video. Please share it with your friends and family. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’ll greatly help you.

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my free email tips and video class today.

Learn How to Paint Acrylic Portraits With My Free Mini-Video Course!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me.  I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.  

Yours for Better Portraits,

Signature_200dpi_sm.jpg

P.S. Did you find this post helpful or encouraging? If so, send it on ahead! Let others know with the share buttons below. I’d love to hear your comments. Thank you so much! Also, do you have a question on acrylic portrait painting you’d like answered? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help!

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