How to Paint a 24 x 30 Acrylic With 30 People

How do I apply the first skin tone layer using acrylic glazing?

Introduction:

Creating a large acrylic portrait with 30 people can seem daunting, but with the right techniques and a methodical approach, it becomes a rewarding experience. In this guide, we’ll explore how to use the acrylic glazing technique to transition from a detailed sketch to a fully developed, realistic painting. You’ll discover how to paint a 24 x 30 acrylic portrait with 30 people in it. And then, block in the composition, build up layers, and maintain accuracy throughout the painting process.

Understanding the Acrylic Glazing Technique

Acrylic glazing involves mixing acrylic paint with a medium to create translucent layers. These layers are applied to gradually build up color and depth while allowing the underlying sketch to remain visible in the early stages. This technique is perfect for detailed portraits because it ensures that the sketch’s details are preserved until the final layers, helping to maintain likeness and composition throughout.

Step 1: Preparing the Sketch

Before painting, create a detailed sketch of your portrait on the canvas. Because this initial step is crucial for maintaining proportions and composition throughout the painting. Once the sketch is completed, seal it using a fixative spray or a thin layer of acrylic medium to prevent smudging.

Tip: A well-done sketch ensures accuracy in the final painting, and then helping to keep the likeness of each subject intact.

Step 2: Starting with Light Glazes

You can begin by mixing your acrylic paints with a generous amount of matte medium. Then the ratio should be about 90% matte medium to 10% paint. Because it creates a translucent layer that mimics the effect of watercolor.

To start, block in the largest areas of color. For this painting, the trees and sky in the background are crucial for setting the scene. Also, use a mixture of ultramarine blue and indian yellow to create a base green for the trees. Before you apply this glaze lightly use diagonal strokes to keep the edges smooth.

Technique Tip: Use overlapping strokes and keep a wet edge to avoid visible brush marks. It’s okay to slightly overlap the background onto the figures, as it’s easier to paint figures on top later than to leave halos around them.

Step 3: Building Up Layers Gradually

As you move forward, gradually increase the opacity of your paint by reducing the amount of matte medium. This allows for more depth and variation in tone. With each layer, the colors will become more vivid, and the details of the painting will start to emerge.

For the foreground, use raw sienna with a bit of burnt sienna to create earthy tones. Focus on shadows in this area, applying the glaze only where needed. Remember, the key is to work gradually—start light and build up to darker shades with each layer.

Pro Tip: Always observe your reference photo carefully. Notice the lighting, reflected light, and shadow areas. Let the reference guide your color and tonal decisions.

Step 4: Working Around the Figures

Painting 30 people in one scene requires careful attention to detail, especially when working around the figures. Use your flat brush to “cut around” the subjects with precision. A light hand is essential, so you don’t lose the crispness of your sketch.

In this step, patience is key. It may take several layers to achieve the desired effect for the background before moving on to the details of each figure.

Tip: If you accidentally paint over a subject, don’t worry. You can always refine those areas in subsequent layers.

Step 5: Detailing the Subjects

Once the background is sufficiently built up, shift your focus to the figures. For this commission with 30 people, it’s essential to keep the likeness of each subject intact. Begin by blocking in basic skin tones and clothing colors. Then, work gradually to add details like facial features and expressions.

Using smaller brushes, switch to more opaque paints mixed with a bit of medium for smoother transitions between shadows and highlights. Be mindful of each subject’s individuality, making sure to capture their unique characteristics.

Technique Tip: To keep the subjects realistic, pay attention to light sources. Ensure that the lighting on each figure matches the overall lighting of the scene.

Step 6: Final Adjustments

As the painting nears completion, start refining the details. Check your reference photo for any missed nuances, like subtle shadows or highlights. Use a thin glaze to soften transitions where needed and add contrast to areas that require more depth.

The acrylic glazing technique allows for flexibility, so you can always adjust the painting by adding another glaze. This helps to perfect the overall look and feel of the portrait.

Tip: Step back regularly to view the painting from a distance. This gives you a fresh perspective and helps spot areas that need more attention.

Painting a 24 x 30 acrylic portrait with 30 people may seem challenging, but with the acrylic glazing technique, the process becomes much more manageable. By building up layers gradually, you’ll maintain the detail of your sketch while adding depth and vibrancy to your painting. Remember to take your time, and don’t be afraid to go back and refine areas as needed.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, this method will help you achieve stunning, realistic results. Give it a try and see how your portraits can come to life with a little patience and practice.

Portrait painters know that it’s not easy to paint realistic skin tones. In acrylic, this is especially true. But what if there was a way where you didn’t have to have a perfect recipe or make it all happen in one shot? What if you could slowly, but predictably build up skin tones one layer at a time? And what if you could do it without losing your likeness in the sketch? That’s what I am going to show you today.

Now, this is just the start. But it’s a very good start. I’ll demonstrate, in real-time, in this 24 x 30 acrylic portrait of 30 people, how I am putting in the FIRST layer of skin tone color, using the acrylic glazing technique. What is the acrylic glazing technique? Watch over my shoulder in this video tutorial, and I’ll show you.

Back to that 24 x 30 acrylic portrait again! This time, I’m showing you how to block in the color for the hair. We’re using the acrylic glazing technique, where we mix a little bit of paint into a large amount of clear acrylic matte medium, and create blending with many faint layers.

LEARN MORE

• Adding highlights to your acrylic painting
• 5 Excellent Reasons to Use Aluminum Foil
• Paint Realistic Wrinkles in Acrylic
• Painting Clothing in an Acrylic Portrait
• Paint a Cloudy Sky Acrylic  
•  How to add Semi-Opaque Highlights
• How to Enhance the Contrast in Your Acrylic
• How to Add Glaze to Your Acrylic Painting
• Paint Realistic Reflections on Eyeglasses in an Acrylic Portrait
• Build Up Depth on Your Acrylic Portrait Backgrounds
• How Do You Do Layers With the Glazing Technique?
• Learn How to Paint Wrinkles in Acrylic

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

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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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