September 2023 - Realistic Acrylic Portrait School

Archive Monthly Archives: September 2023

How to Paint Old Man with Black Cap in 30 Minutes

Learn the art of acrylic portraits with quick and effective alla prima technique

Introduction

Creating a compelling portrait in just 30 minutes might seem daunting, but with the right approach and technique, it’s entirely possible. This tutorial guides you through painting an old man with a black cap using the alla prima method—a technique where you complete the painting in one session while the paint is still wet.

This approach not only sharpens your skills but also helps you capture the essence of your subject with speed and accuracy.

Materials and Colors

Before starting, make sure you have the following materials:

Canvas: 8×10 inches, pre-toned
Brushes: Round brush, flat brush, and filbert brush
Palette:
- Titanium White
- Ivory Black
- Raw Umber Dark
- Burnt Sienna
- Raw Sienna
- Phthalo Blue
- Ultramarine Blue
- Alizarine Crimson
- Naphthol Red
- Pyrrole Orange
- Indian Yellow
- Matte Medium

Step 1: Setting Up the Canvas

Start by preparing your 8×10 inch canvas, ensuring it’s pre-toned to provide a neutral background. This helps in achieving the correct values and tones as you paint. For this tutorial, we’ll be painting an old man with a black cap using opaque colors, which differ from the usual glazing method.

Step 2: Blocking In the Composition

Using a mixture of ivory black and matte medium, lightly sketch the composition. Focus on the general shapes of the hat, eyes, cheek structure, beard, and shoulders. Keep in mind the overall proportions and the placement of key features. The old man’s shoulder is hunched, and his beard is prominent, so take care to capture these unique aspects of his posture.

Step 3: Establishing the Mid-Tones

Mix titanium white with raw sienna and pyrrole orange to create a warm flesh tone. Begin applying this to the highlighted areas of the face, such as the forehead, cheeks, and chin. Given the strong lighting on the subject, you’ll notice high contrast in these areas, which you should replicate in your painting.

Step 4: Adding Shadows and Depth

To create the shadows, mix ivory black with ultramarine blue and raw umber dark. Apply this mixture to the left side of the face, under the hat, and around the nose and mouth. These darker tones will give your portrait depth and dimension, making the facial features more prominent.

Step 5: Detailing the Beard and Mustache

For the beard and mustache, use a mixture of titanium white, raw umber dark, and a touch of indian yellow. Apply this color to the beard, allowing it to contrast slightly with the flesh tones. Add a cooler shadow on the left side of the beard by incorporating ultramarine blue into the mix.

Step 6: Enhancing Facial Features

Work on the finer details of the face, such as the nasolabial folds, eye sockets, and wrinkles. Use a smaller round brush to carefully apply darker tones to these areas, blending as needed to create smooth transitions. Add a touch of warmth to the nose and cheeks by mixing in alizarine crimson and burnt sienna.

Step 7: Painting the Black Cap

Switch to a larger round brush to block in the black cap. Use ivory black with a hint of ultramarine blue for the darker areas, and lighten the mixture with titanium white for the highlights on the cap’s surface. The filbert brush works well for adding subtle gradients and capturing the cap’s texture.

Step 8: Defining the Clothing

The old man’s clothing is mostly in shadow, so use the same dark mixture from the cap to paint his coat. Add wrinkles and folds using a lighter version of this color, applying it with a flat brush to suggest the form of his arm and chest.

Step 9: Final Touches and Highlights

Add the finishing touches by enhancing the highlights on the face, beard, and cap. For example, brighten the top of the cap with a mix of titanium white and raw sienna. Ensure that the transitions between light and shadow are smooth, and take a step back to assess the overall balance of the portrait.

In just 30 minutes, you’ve created a striking portrait of an old man with a black cap, capturing the essence of the subject through careful attention to detail and contrast. This exercise not only improves your speed and accuracy but also hones your ability to see and replicate values effectively. Keep practicing with different subjects and lighting conditions to further refine your skills and confidence in Alla Prima painting.

Tips and Techniques

Work Quickly: The 30-minute time limit forces you to focus on essential details and avoid overworking areas. Embrace the challenge to improve your speed and decision-making.
Use a Limited Palette: Simplifying your color choices helps you maintain harmony in your painting and allows you to focus more on values.
Capture the Essence: Rather than aiming for perfection, strive to capture the subject’s character and mood. The goal is to create a convincing likeness in a short time.

This method is excellent for artists who want to improve their efficiency and brush control while producing high-quality work. Keep practicing, and you’ll find yourself becoming faster and more confident in your portrait painting abilities!

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

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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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How to Save Money on Your Acrylic Paint

Discover tips and techniques to maximize your painting budget.

Introduction:

Acrylic paint is a versatile medium loved by artists for its quick-drying properties, vibrant colors, and adaptability. However, the costs can add up, especially when you’re working on large projects or creating art regularly. In this guide, I’ll share practical tips on how to save money on your acrylic paint without compromising on quality. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting, these strategies will help you stretch your budget further.

1. Choose Affordable Yet High-Quality Paint Brands:

One of the most effective ways to save money on acrylic paint is by choosing affordable yet high-quality brands. For instance, Nova Color is an excellent alternative to more expensive brands like Liquitex and Winsor & Newton. Manufactured in Culver City, California, Nova Color cuts out the middleman by selling directly to artists. This results in significant savings—often around a third or half the price of other premium brands.

Why Nova Color?

High Pigment Saturation: Nova Color offers vibrant, saturated colors, ideal for glazing techniques.
Quality Resin Binder: The high-quality polymer resin binder ensures the paint’s longevity and resilience.
Cost-Effective: You get the same quality at a fraction of the cost, making it a smart choice for artists on a budget.

2. Buy in Bulk:

Another effective way to save money is by purchasing your paint in larger quantities. For example, you can buy a gallon of matte medium from Nova Color for the same price you’d pay for a quart at a traditional art store. This approach is especially beneficial for artists who paint frequently, as it significantly reduces the cost per ounce.

Benefits of Buying in Bulk:

Lower Cost per Unit: The larger the quantity, the lower the cost per ounce.
Fewer Purchases: Reduces the frequency of purchases, saving time and potential shipping costs.

3. Efficient Paint Dispensing:

While bulk buying is cost-effective, it can be cumbersome to work with large containers of paint. Instead of using spoons to transfer paint from a gallon container to your palette—an often messy and inefficient process—consider transferring the paint into smaller, more manageable containers.

Use Squeezable Tubes:

I recommend using Coughlin squeezable tubes, typically found in camping supply stores or online retailers like Amazon. Originally designed for toiletries, these tubes work perfectly for acrylic paint. They are easy to fill, and the clip-sealed caps prevent leakage, making them an excellent tool for a neat and efficient painting process.

How to Use Squeezable Tubes:

Transfer the Paint: Pour your acrylic paint from the large container into the squeezable tube.
Fill Wisely: Fill the tube about halfway to two-thirds full, leaving space to avoid spills when sealing.
Seal the Tube: After filling, squeeze out any excess air and securely seal the tube with the clip provided.
Dispense as Needed: When you’re ready to paint, simply unscrew the cap and squeeze the desired amount onto your palette.

4. Proper Storage Techniques:

Proper storage of your acrylic paint can extend its shelf life and prevent wastage. Make sure to keep your paint containers sealed tightly when not in use to prevent them from drying out. Store your paint in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, which can cause the paint to thicken or separate over time.

Storage Tips:

Tightly Seal Containers: Always reseal your paint containers properly after each use.
Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Avoid exposure to heat and direct sunlight.
Use Smaller Containers for Daily Use: Transfer small amounts of paint into smaller containers for easier access and to avoid frequent exposure of the bulk paint to air.

5. Mix and Extend Your Paint:

Acrylic mediums can be used to extend the volume of your paint, allowing you to cover more area without needing more paint. Matte mediums, gloss mediums, and other acrylic additives can dilute the paint without compromising its consistency or color integrity.

Benefits of Using Acrylic Mediums:

Increased Coverage: Extend the paint to cover more surface area.
Enhanced Effects: Create different finishes, such as matte or glossy, depending on the medium used.
Maintained Quality: Dilute the paint while maintaining its color strength and consistency.

Saving money on acrylic paint doesn’t mean you have to compromise on the quality of your artwork. By choosing the right brands, buying in bulk, using efficient dispensing methods, storing your paint correctly, and extending your paint with mediums, you can enjoy high-quality painting experiences while keeping your budget intact.

If you’re interested in trying out Nova Color or looking for affordable ways to extend your acrylic supplies, be sure to check out here.

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