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How to Convert a Tracing to Sketch: Painting Process

/ Real Time Tutorial Sketching Video Tutorial
/ By Matt Philleo

Transform your tracing into a detailed sketch: techniques for realistic portrait

When creating a detailed portrait painting, a tracing can provide a solid foundation, but the real artistry lies in refining that tracing into a fully realized sketch. Tracing outlines gives you the basic proportions, but they often miss critical details that are essential for realism. In this post, we’ll walk you through the process of converting a traced outline into a well-refined sketch, using the example of a portrait of the apostle Paul praying.

Understanding the Role of Tracing in Art

A Solid Start:

Tracing can save time, especially for complex portraits or when accuracy is critical. By using tools such as a projector, you can quickly lay down the basic structure. However, tracing alone doesn’t provide all the necessary details, especially when aiming for realism. For example, simple outlines of hands or facial features will lack the subtleties of light, shadow, and wrinkles.

Step-by-Step Guide to Refining a Tracing

Assess the Tracing
After completing your tracing, take a moment to assess its accuracy. Then, look for areas where the proportions are correct but still lack detail. In our example of Paul praying, the tracing provided the basic layout of the figure but left out critical nuances in the facial features and folds in the fabric.
Start with the Most Important Features
Begin with, refining by focusing on the most significant elements of the portrait. In the case of this sketch of Paul, the face is where we started. When, using tracing as the base, it’s essential to add details such as wrinkles, shadows under the eyes, and the curvature of the facial features. But tracings often simplify features, which means you’ll need to carefully draw in the missing details. Also, pay attention to how the light hits the face and creates shadow, especially in areas like the nose and mouth.
Correcting Proportions and Perspectives
If your reference photo features a unique perspective, then like a worm’s eye view (looking up from below), the tracing may not capture all the nuances. In my sketch of Paul, refining the eye’s position and size was crucial, but given the upward angle of the face. While keeping the eyes proportional and always make sure they reflect the right shape is vital to ensuring the overall accuracy of the portrait.
Utilize Tools for Precision
A battery-operated eraser can be a game-changer when correcting small mistakes in a sketch. This tool allows you to erase specific areas without disturbing the rest of your drawing. Erasers also help lighten lines that are too dark, adding more subtlety to your shading.
Refining Shadows and Values
Tracing can often leave large areas of the sketch looking flat or featureless. After refining the major facial features, the next step is to work on the shadows and values. For instance, the shadow under Paul’s chin, the folds in his clothing, and the contours of his hands all required careful attention. By adding shading, you can indicate areas of light and dark, giving the sketch depth and volume. As you shade, remember to leave room for reflected light, which is the subtle illumination on areas that aren’t directly hit by light but still have a glow.
Focusing on Fabric and Wrinkles
The clothing, especially when it has folds and creases, is another area where tracings often fall short. In Paul’s prayer portrait, the tracing missed many of the intricate wrinkles that give the fabric its realistic texture. To add this realism, pay close attention to the way fabric bunches and folds in real life. Observe the direction of the creases, and emphasize key folds to give your sketch depth. Fabric in motion, like the bending of a sleeve, will show wrinkles in a more dynamic manner.

Tips and Techniques for Converting a Tracing to a Sketch

Don’t Rely Solely on the Tracing: Tracing is just the first step. Always refer back to your reference photo or real-life model to capture the subtleties.
Take Your Time with Key Features: Spend extra time refining the eyes, nose, and mouth—especially in a portrait. These areas are often simplified in tracings and need additional work to feel realistic.
Use Multiple Tools: Incorporate erasers, different grades of pencils, and even digital tools (if sketching digitally) to refine your work.
Pay Attention to Light: Always consider where your light source is coming from. Tracings don’t provide shadows, so it’s up to you to add this layer of realism.
Zoom in and Out: Step back and view your work from a distance occasionally. This helps you see the sketch as a whole and ensures that the proportions and shading are balanced.

Realism Through Sketch Refinement

One of the major issues with relying too much on tracing is that it simplifies the image. The forms can become too basic, losing the intricate shapes and contours that make a drawing feel realistic. As you continue refining your tracing, keep adding subtle details. In the case of Paul’s hand, for example, the tracing left out the finer details of the fingers clasped together. Adding these small details later can be done by freehand drawing, improving the overall realism.

The Final Sketch

By the end of this process, the sketch of Paul went from a simple traced outline to a fully developed, refined sketch, capturing all the essential details necessary for a realistic portrait. Then remember, tracing is just the foundation; the true artistry comes in the refinement. Through careful observation, adding shadows, correcting shapes, and focusing on details like fabric and facial features, you’ll create a sketch that serves as a strong base for a lifelike painting.

Sketching Fundamentals: From Tracing to Freehand Mastery

1. Starting with a Strong Foundation

When beginning a portrait sketch, the initial step often involves tracing. Although tracing can be a helpful tool, it should not be relied upon exclusively. As shown in the video, How to Convert a Tracing to a Sketch, Part #2 tracing an image with an overhead projector helps establish basic proportions but lacks the fine details and accuracy needed for a refined sketch. To improve the likeness and detail, learning freehand sketching or using a grid method is essential.

2. Choosing the Right Tools

A dark umber or dark brown colored pencil is highly recommended for initial sketching. These pencils provide a good contrast against the canvas, making it easier to refine details. Precision is crucial, and using a battery-operated eraser can greatly enhance accuracy. This tool allows for fine adjustments and corrections, particularly in areas requiring detailed work, such as the fingers in our example.

3. Refining the Sketch

Once the basic outline is established, focus on refining the sketch by adding detailed features. For instance, when sketching Paul the Apostle’s hands, attention must be given to the length and placement of each finger. Details such as fingernails and the interplay of light and shadow play a significant role in achieving realism.

4. Incorporating Reference Photos

Using reference photos is vital for accuracy. In this video, a photo shoot in a studio mimicking the lighting of a Caravaggio painting provided a valuable reference. This photo helps ensure that the contrast and structure of the hands are correctly depicted. When sketching, always use a reference photo to guide the placement of details and ensure a realistic portrayal.

Advanced Techniques for a Professional Finish

5. Shading and Blocking in Values

Shading is crucial for adding depth and dimension to your sketch. I uses shading to differentiate between light and dark areas, such as on the clothing and objects in the scene. This technique help me in creating a three-dimensional effect and enhancing the overall realism of the portrait.

6. Adding Textural Details

For a more lifelike result, add texture to elements like clothing and objects. In the example, I use triangular shapes to suggest folds and creases in the fabric, and shading to indicate the structure of a drinking vessel. Textural details contribute to the overall realism and visual interest of the portrait.

7. Creating a Believable Environment

When sketching elements like the background, it’s important to consider how they contribute to the overall scene. The video demonstrates adding elements such as prison bars and a scroll to place the subject in a believable context. Accurate depiction of the environment adds to the narrative and helps the viewer connect with the portrait.

Final Adjustments and Presentation

8. Reviewing and Making Final Adjustments

Before concluding the sketch, review all elements for accuracy and completeness. This step is essential for a polished and professional finish.

9. Presenting Your Work

Once the sketch is complete, it’s time to prepare for the painting process. Ensure that your sketch is well-detailed and ready to serve as a solid foundation for your acrylic portrait. Proper preparation at this stage will significantly influence the final outcome of your painting.

Tips and Techniques for Effective Portrait Sketching

Use Quality Materials: Invest in good quality pencils and erasers to achieve precise details.
Practice Freehand Sketching: Develop your freehand skills to avoid over-reliance on tracing methods.
Utilize Reference Photos: Use high-quality reference photos to guide details and proportions.
Focus on Shading: Effective shading adds depth and dimension to your sketches.
Pay Attention to Texture: Adding textural details enhances the realism of your portrait.

By incorporating these techniques and following a structured approach, you can improve your portrait sketching skills and create more compelling and realistic artwork. For additional tips and resources, visit www.realisticacrylic.com and check out the tutorial on fixing muddy skin tones, then download here.

Feel free to share your own sketching techniques or ask questions in the comments below. Happy sketching!

LEARN MORE

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,

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 Paint Foliage Using the Acrylic Glazing Technique

/ Real Time Tutorial Tips and Techniques
/ By Matt Philleo

How do you paint people standing in front of trees and other foliage?

When it comes to painting foliage in your acrylic portraits or landscapes, one of the best ways to capture depth and realism is through the acrylic glazing technique. In this guide, we’ll explore how to layer colors, create realistic shadows, and bring your foliage to life with step-by-step instructions and tips.

Understanding the Importance of Color in Foliage

One of the critical aspects of painting foliage is choosing the right colors, especially in shadows. You don’t want to use overly intense chromatic greens that can make your painting look flat or artificial. Instead, opt for grayish-green tones for the shadow areas, which add a natural depth and realism to your work.

For example, the foliage in your painting’s shadowed areas can be made more effective by blending raw umber dark, ultramarine blue, and raw sienna. This combination creates a desaturated, natural green that mimics how shadows in nature would appear—subtle yet impactful. The right use of cool colors like ultramarine blue helps define the cooler, darker regions of the foliage.

Tip: Avoid Bright Greens in Shadows

It’s essential to steer away from vibrant, saturated greens in the shadow areas. These should be saved for the sunlit portions of the trees to achieve a dynamic contrast.

Building Layers with the Glazing Technique

Acrylic glazing allows you to work in thin layers, which can be built up over time to create depth in your foliage. For this, you’ll want to mix a small amount of your chosen paint color with a clear matte medium. This mixture creates a translucent glaze that will enable you to see through to the underlying layers, preserving the details of your initial sketch or previous layers.

In the early stages, you will be blocking in the shadow colors, leaving lighter areas open for subsequent layers. Glazing ensures that each layer of paint adds depth without covering the finer details of your painting.

Technique: Thin Your Paint for Glazing

To thin down your paint, mix a small amount of acrylic medium with the color on your palette. This allows you to gradually build up color, controlling its opacity and intensity while preserving the underlying forms.

Focusing on Shapes Rather Than Details

One common mistake when painting foliage is trying to paint each leaf individually. However, it’s more effective to focus on larger shapes and the overall form of the trees and foliage. By looking at your reference photo closely, identify the primary shapes formed by the clusters of leaves rather than individual leaves themselves.

In your first layers, block in the general shapes with darker colors. For example, using a mix of raw umber dark and ultramarine blue can help you establish the darkest shadow areas of the trees. Once these shapes are in place, you can add highlights or refine the edges as you move forward.

Tip: Simplify the Process by Identifying Shapes

Instead of getting caught up in the small details, focus on simplifying the foliage by working with larger shapes and forms. This will help you achieve a cohesive look while maintaining the overall flow and balance of the piece.

Adding Depth with Layers of Darker Colors

After you’ve laid down your initial shapes and shadows, the next step is to add depth by applying darker tones. Mix in ultramarine blue, raw sienna, and a touch of Indian yellow to your palette to create a deep, cool shadow color. As you apply these layers, ensure that your strokes follow the natural form of the foliage to enhance the illusion of volume and depth.

Using a size 14 angled flat brush will give you control over the direction and width of your strokes, helping you define the darkest parts of the trees. For areas where the shadows are most intense, you can use more pressure and apply a slightly thicker layer of the glaze. Remember, each layer adds another dimension to your foliage, so take your time with this process.

Technique: Chisel Your Brush for Precision

By using a flat brush, you can achieve a sharp edge that helps define the boundaries of your dark shapes. This technique is particularly useful for creating crisp shadows that enhance the realism of your foliage.

Layering Highlights and Mid-Tones

Once your shadow areas are well established, it’s time to add mid-tones and highlights. These layers will give your foliage the brightness and vibrancy it needs to stand out. For sunlit areas, a mix of Indian yellow, raw sienna, and a small amount of titanium white will create the perfect highlight color.

Apply these lighter tones sparingly to avoid overpowering the shadowed areas. Use a dry brush technique to add subtle highlights, mimicking how sunlight would naturally catch on the edges of leaves.

Tip: Build Gradual Highlights

Adding highlights should be done in thin, gradual layers to avoid a stark contrast between your light and dark areas. Glazing with lighter colors will help you build up the highlights over time without overwhelming the painting.

Final Touches: Adding Nuances and Details

Once your layers are complete, it’s time to refine the nuances of your foliage. Use a small brush to add any branches or finer details that may be peeking through the leaves. However, be careful not to overdo it—often, less is more when it comes to these final touches.

If you’ve accidentally painted over an area that you intended to leave lighter, don’t worry. Since you’re working with glazes, it’s easy to go back and adjust your values. Simply apply another glaze layer to adjust the tone of the area.

Technique: Use Glazing to Correct Mistakes

If your highlights or shadows are too intense, apply another layer of glaze to either darken or lighten the area subtly without starting over.

Mastering Foliage with Acrylic Glazing

By following these steps, you’ll be able to create realistic and dynamic foliage using the acrylic glazing technique. Remember to build your layers slowly, focus on large shapes instead of tiny details, and use the right colors for shadows and highlights. With practice, your foliage will enhance the depth and realism of your acrylic paintings, bringing your landscapes and portraits to life.

Check out more tutorials and lessons on acrylic glazing and other techniques to continue improving your painting skills!

Watch my tutorial to learn more about how to paint foliage using the acrylic glazing technique.

LEARN MORE

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,

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 Trace for an Accurate Portrait Sketch

/ Uncategorized
/ By Matt Philleo

Why tracing isn’t cheating: The benefits of using this method

Tracing is a useful technique for ensuring precision in portrait sketching. In this post, we will explore how tracing can help you create an accurate acrylic portrait sketch and offer tips for using an overhead projector for best results. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting, this method can save you time and frustration, allowing you to focus on the creative aspects of painting.

Introduction: The Importance of Tracing

Tracing is often misunderstood as a shortcut, but in reality, it’s a tool that helps artists maintain accuracy and focus on the painting process. By tracing, you can capture the key proportions and likeness of your subject efficiently. In this tutorial, we will be tracing a portrait of the Apostle Paul, which will eventually be part of a book cover. The goal is to accurately depict his facial expression while minimizing the effort spent on freehand sketching.

Why Tracing is Not Cheating

It’s important to address the misconception that tracing is “cheating.” Many professional artists, including those who have mastered freehand sketching, use tracing to expedite the painting process. By using an overhead projector, you can skip time-consuming freehand work and focus on the more creative aspects of painting, such as shading, lighting, and color application. Tracing allows you to preserve your artistic vision while achieving accuracy in the foundational sketch.

Step-by-Step Guide to Tracing a Portrait

1. Set Up Your Overhead Projector

The first step is to position your overhead projector correctly. Ensure that the canvas is aligned with the image you intend to trace. The positioning of your subject is crucial to the composition of the entire painting. In this example, the Apostle Paul is positioned according to the two-thirds golden proportion rule for balance.

Make adjustments to the projector or canvas as necessary to ensure that every element, from the main figure to background details like windows and scrolls, is well-placed. It is also recommended to work with an original or properly licensed image to avoid copyright issues.

2. Sharpen Your Pencil and Begin Tracing

Using a dark brown prismacolor pencil, start by tracing the main areas of contrast within the image. Sharp lines are essential for creating clarity in your sketch. Keep your pencil sharpened throughout the process to ensure precision.

Start with the areas that have the most contrast—such as the eyes, nose, and mouth. These facial features are crucial for capturing the likeness of your subject. Avoid adding excessive details; this can make the final painting harder to interpret once the projector is turned off.

3. Focus on Contrast and Simplicity

A key to effective tracing is focusing on areas of contrast. Identify the darkest and lightest sections of the image and trace these clearly. For example, in this portrait, the shadows around Paul’s face and the folds in his clothing provide stark contrast. Simplifying these areas during tracing will give you clear guidelines for the painting process later on.

It’s vital not to over-detail the sketch. Too many intricate lines will make it difficult to follow once the projector is turned off. Focus on the major shapes and let the painting process take care of the finer details.

Tips for Tracing Effectively

Key Tip #1: Composition First
Before you begin tracing, make sure your composition is set. Proper placement of your subject within the frame will make the final painting more visually appealing.
Key Tip #2: Focus on Areas of Contrast
Identify where the values in the image change the most. These areas, such as shadows and highlights, are where you should focus your tracing efforts.
Key Tip #3: Avoid Over-Detailing
Too many details in your tracing will overwhelm the painting process. Keep it simple and focus on the overall impression rather than the fine details.
Key Tip #4: Use a Sharpened Pencil
Always keep your pencil sharpened to achieve fine, clean lines. A colored pencil like Prismacolor works well because it smears less, is easier to paint over, and erases cleanly if needed.

The Final Sketch: Turning Off the Projector

Once you’ve traced all the important elements of your portrait, it’s time to turn off the projector and examine your work. This step will show you how well the tracing captures the proportions and key features of your subject. At this stage, you may notice areas that need refinement, such as the hands or certain facial features. Don’t worry if some parts appear non-descript; you can add these details later during the painting process.

Freehand Refinement

Although tracing simplifies the sketching process, some freehand work will still be necessary. After turning off the projector, refine areas like the hands, facial details, and any other intricate elements that need more precision. This combination of tracing and freehand sketching allows you to maintain accuracy while infusing your personal touch into the portrait.

Tracing for Better Portraits

Tracing is a powerful tool that allows artists to focus on the creative aspects of painting without getting bogged down by complex freehand sketching. By using an overhead projector and focusing on contrast, composition, and simplicity, you can create an accurate portrait sketch that serves as a solid foundation for your painting. Whether you’re working on a commissioned piece or a personal project, tracing can enhance your workflow, giving you more time to explore color, shading, and expression in your artwork.

Watch my tutorial to learn more about how to trace for an accurate portrait sketch.

LEARN MORE

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,

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 Paint Eyes in your Acrylic Portrait

How to Paint Realistic Eyes in Your Acrylic Portrait

/ Video Tutorial
/ By Matt Philleo

Bring your portraits to life: Essential techniques for painting realistic eyes

Introduction

Painting realistic eyes is one of the most essential skills in portraiture, as they serve as the focal point of a portrait, bringing the subject to life. But with just a few carefully placed strokes, you can transform a flat, lifeless face into one that captivates with expression and detail. In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through how to paint eyes in your acrylic portrait using subtle nuances, helping you achieve realism with ease.

1. Gather Your Materials

Before diving into painting the eyes, ensure you have the right materials on hand. You’ll need:

Acrylic paints (raw umber dark, ultramarine blue, alizarine crimson, burnt sienna)
Brushes (small round brush for precision)
Clear acrylic medium (for glazing technique)
Palette for mixing colors
Reference photo for accuracy

These basic materials will help you create the details necessary for capturing the eyes realistically.

2. Start with a Good Reference Photo

To paint eyes accurately, a reference photo is essential. I will emphasize in this video by using a detailed reference image, ensuring that the direction, shape, and placement of the eyes are correct. Choose a clear, high-quality photo that shows the eye’s reflections and shadows. The finer details in the photo will guide your painting process.

3. Mix the Right Colors

I starts by using a neutral palette of raw umber dark, ultramarine blue, alizarine crimson, and burnt sienna. These colors create a natural-looking shade for painting eyes, particularly for the whites of the eyes and the shadows. Eyes aren’t stark white; they have subtle shadows and variations that can be achieved by using these earth tones.

Use a small amount of acrylic medium to thin the paint, creating translucent layers that give depth without overwhelming the painting.

4. Focus on Nuances

When painting eyes in a portrait, subtle details make all the difference. Start by using a small brush to add tiny dabs of color where the pupils and irises will go. In my technique, I carefully apply these nuances to make the face “come alive.”

Pupils and Irises: Use a small, round brush to lightly dab the area where the pupils should be. A gentle touch is key—if the paint is too thick, it can appear unnatural.
Shadows Around the Eyes: Create depth by darkening areas around the eyes. This enhances realism and makes the eyes stand out from the rest of the face. You can apply glazing layers to build up the shadows gradually.
Highlights: Adding a small highlight in the eye, just above the pupil, can simulate light reflection and create vibrancy.

By focusing on these small changes, you will see an immediate improvement in the overall appearance of the eyes.

5. Use Glazing for Depth

I utilize the acrylic glazing technique, which is perfect for painting eyes. Glazing allows you to create many thin, transparent layers that build up depth while preserving the sketch underneath.

Here’s how you can apply glazing when painting eyes:

Thin Your Paint: Mix a little clear acrylic medium with your paint. This will allow you to create subtle gradients around the eyes.
Layer Gradually: Apply the paint in thin layers, letting each one dry before adding the next. This technique creates a luminous effect, especially when building up the shadows and highlights.
Blend Carefully: The beauty of glazing lies in its ability to blend naturally. With soft, sweeping strokes, smooth the edges where the light and dark areas meet.

6. Adjust the Eyes to Match the Angle of the Face

When working on a portrait, it’s crucial to place the eyes correctly in relation to the direction the face is facing. In this demonstration, make small dabs of paint on the left side for a subject looking to the right, ensuring the gaze is aligned with the overall pose. Be mindful of the orientation of the head and use tiny corrections to ensure the eyes appear natural.

For a subject looking to one side, the whites of the eyes should show more prominently on the opposite side.
Use reference points like the nose and mouth to position the eyes accurately.

7. Refine the Expression with Small Details

After placing the pupils, irises, and surrounding shadows, it’s time to refine the expression. I often emphasize this point: small touches around the eyes can drastically change the emotion conveyed.

Add Eyelashes and Creases: With a fine brush, add delicate lines for the eyelashes and the creases of the eyelids. These are not stark black lines but rather subtle strokes that suggest the texture.
Smooth Out Harsh Lines: Dab your brush lightly on any overly sharp edges. This helps blend the painted areas for a softer, more natural appearance.

8. Final Touches: Creating Cohesion with the Rest of the Face

Eyes should not stand out unnaturally from the rest of the face. Make sure the tones and shadows around the eyes blend into the surrounding areas. This creates a seamless transition, adding to the realism of the portrait.

If the eyes appear too sharp or bright, use a glazing technique to tone them down, layering slightly darker hues over the highlights. You may also want to darken the shadows underneath the brows and beside the nose to help frame the eyes and make them pop without looking out of place.

Painting eyes in an acrylic portrait might seem challenging, but with careful attention to details and the use of glazing techniques, you can achieve stunning results. I demonstrates, it’s the small nuances—tiny dabs of color, subtle shadows, and highlights—that truly bring a portrait to life. By following these steps, you’ll enhance the depth and realism of your artwork, leaving your viewers captivated by the expressions in your subject’s eyes.

Tips and Techniques:

Use a Fine Brush: Precision is key when painting small areas like eyes.
Glazing Technique: Layer thin, transparent washes to build depth without losing the initial sketch.
Subtle Highlights: Add a touch of light to the eyes to give them vibrancy and a lifelike appearance.
Work Slowly: Patience is vital for getting the right amount of detail in the eyes.

By using these techniques, you’ll be able to master the art of painting eyes, transforming your portraits into realistic works of art.

LEARN MORE

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,

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 Add Raw Umber Dark & Ultramarine Blue to Your Portrait

/ Uncategorized
/ By Matt Philleo

Unlock the secrets of acrylic glazing: create depth and realism with dark glazes

When working on an acrylic portrait, the strategic use of dark tones like raw umber dark and ultramarine blue can elevate your painting, adding depth, contrast, and a sense of realism. This post will guide you through the process of incorporating these colors into your work using the acrylic glazing technique.

Why Glazing Is Essential for Realistic Portraits

Glazing is a powerful technique where thin layers of paint are applied over dried layers, creating luminous and transparent effects. By using glazes of darker colors such as raw umber dark and ultramarine blue, you can effectively add shadows and nuances that enhance the three-dimensionality of your portrait. These darker hues provide the balance needed to highlight lighter areas, making the portrait more dynamic.

As what I have mention in this painting process of Moses, Aaron, and Hur, “You can’t appreciate the light until you have the dark.” This concept applies to both life and art. The contrast between light and shadow gives a painting its life, much like how challenges define our growth.

Applying Raw Umber Dark and Ultramarine Blue

Step 1: Prepare Your Palette

Begin by setting up your palette with raw umber dark and ultramarine blue. These are ideal for creating natural shadow tones and deepening the values of your painting. Mix them with a glazing medium to maintain their transparency and to build gradual layers of color. It’s important to avoid opaque mixes, as the goal is to subtly darken areas without losing the underlying details of the painting.

Step 2: Select Areas for Darkening

Identify the areas in your portrait that require more depth, typically shadows along the figure’s contours. For example, in the painting of the video, I darkened the areas around Aaron’s back and the surrounding rocks. These sections are vital to grounding the subjects in the scene and providing contrast with lighter areas.

As you apply the glaze, remember to work in layers. “You can’t have big muscles without resistance,” I explained, drawing a parallel between the perseverance required in life and painting. Similarly, layering glazes creates rich shadows that bring depth to your painting.

Step 3: Work Slowly, Let the Layers Build

Glazing is a slow process, but patience pays off. As you apply each glaze, wait for it to dry before adding more. This technique is essential to avoid muddying the paint and to maintain the clarity of your layers. For the raw umber dark and ultramarine blue mix, you’ll want to focus on the darkest parts of your composition, like the creases in fabric or the deep shadows under the chin and neck.

For instance, when I worked on the clouds and sky in the background, I spread the glaze of ultramarine blue to darken the clouds, providing a rich contrast that made the light areas stand out even more. “We can’t appreciate the light until we have the dark,” I noted as I work, blending the dark glaze seamlessly into the composition.

Tips for Successful Glazing

Use a Soft Brush:
A soft brush allows you to apply thin, even layers without disturbing the paint underneath. This is crucial for glazing, where transparency is key.
Test on a Scrap Surface First:
Before applying your glaze directly onto your portrait, test your mix on a separate surface to ensure the transparency and color are just right.
Focus on Gradual Changes:
Build up the dark areas slowly to maintain control over how much shadow you’re introducing. One of the benefits of glazing is the ability to adjust the depth gradually, so don’t rush the process.
Blend the Edges:
When applying the glaze, blend the edges softly to create a smooth transition from light to dark. Harsh lines can disrupt the realism of your portrait.
Consider the Overall Composition:
When adding dark glazes, ensure they fit into the overall lighting of your painting. Shadows should match the direction of your light source, adding to the coherence of the piece.

The Impact of Ultramarine Blue in Portraits

Ultramarine blue is a versatile color in portrait painting. Its cool tone makes it perfect for creating shadows that contrast with warm skin tones. When mixed with raw umber dark, it achieves a balanced, natural shadow effect, ideal for portraying depth in human figures and backgrounds alike.

In my painting, the combination of these two colors on the rock surfaces and the garments of Moses, Aaron, and Hur emphasized the figures’ prominence and their position in the scene. The shadows darkened by ultramarine blue glaze heightened the contrast, drawing the viewer’s eye to the central action.

Achieving Caravaggio-Like Effects

For artists aiming for a dramatic, chiaroscuro effect in their portraits, studying the techniques of masters like Caravaggio can be highly beneficial. Caravaggio often worked with dark grounds and built up the light in his paintings, using deep shadows to highlight the brightness of his subjects. I mentioned his intention to incorporate a similar approach by using a raw umber-toned background and adding glazes over it to create depth.

Final Thoughts: Perseverance in Art and Life

Adding raw umber dark and ultramarine blue glazes to your portrait is not just about enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your work. It’s a metaphor for the perseverance needed in both art and life. As I always remind you, “Trials produce perseverance, and perseverance must finish its work.”

By patiently applying layers of glaze and embracing the challenges of the painting process, you’ll eventually see the fruits of your labor: a portrait rich in contrast, depth, and meaning.

Glazing with raw umber dark and ultramarine blue provides a powerful method to enhance shadows and add realism to your acrylic portrait. This technique, combined with patience and perseverance, will allow your work to reach new levels of depth and detail.

Watch the video below to learn more about adding raw umber dark and ultramarine blue to battle scene painting.

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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,

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 Make Your Own Raw Umber Dark

/ Uncategorized
/ By Matt Philleo

Understanding why raw umber dark is essential for acrylic glazing & the step-by-step mixing colors to achieve raw umber dark

It’s a wonderful pigment for creating rich, dark values, shadows, and skin tones in your acrylic portrait. But, to my knowledge, you can only buy it at Nova Color. So, many artists following my method don’t have this color to use. I’ll show you how to make your own raw umber dark.

As an artist, finding the right materials for your painting technique is crucial, especially when working with the acrylic glazing method. One of the key colors often used for building shadows and depth in classical or pseudo-classical styles is raw umber dark. Unfortunately, not all artists have access to this pigment, particularly those living overseas where shipping can be a challenge. In this guide, we’ll show you how to mix your own raw umber dark using commonly available pigments.

Why Raw Umber Dark is Essential

Raw umber dark is a rich, chocolatey brown pigment that is darker and more versatile than regular raw umber. It’s particularly useful for creating realistic shadows and adding depth to your artwork, especially in the glazing technique. But, if you’ve ever found yourself without raw umber dark, or unable to purchase it, don’t worry! Because you can always make a substitute at home with a few simple colors.

Materials You’ll Need

Raw Umber (regular)
Ultramarine Blue
Alizarine Crimson
Matte Medium
Ivory Black (optional)
Palette or canvas for mixing
Palette knife or brush

Tip: But always make sure that you have a clean, organized palette for easy color mixing and consistency in results.

Step-by-Step Process for Mixing Raw Umber Dark

Before we dive into the process, it’s important to note that while this mixture is not a perfect replica of raw umber dark, it’s a close substitute that will work well in most acrylic painting applications.

Set up your palette: Start by placing a small amount of regular raw umber on your palette. This will be the base color for your raw umber dark mix.
Apply Raw Umber Dark as a reference: If you have a small amount of raw umber dark left, apply it to your palette or canvas to compare the shade. This will help you better match the tones as you mix your new color.
Add Ultramarine Blue: To darken the raw umber, add a touch of ultramarine blue. This will deepen the brown and make it more neutral. Start with a small amount and gradually mix it into the raw umber until the color becomes noticeably darker.
Balance with Alizarine Crimson: Ultramarine blue alone can make the mixture appear too cool or greenish. To balance it out, add a small amount of alizarine crimson. This warm red pigment will neutralize the blue and help create a deep, rich tone.
Test the mix: Once you’ve combined the pigments, test the mixture by applying it to your canvas or palette. Compare it to the raw umber dark sample you applied earlier. If the color is still too light or cool, adjust the mixture by adding more ultramarine blue and alizarine crimson in small amounts until you achieve the desired shade.
Optional: Use Ivory Black: If you want to make the color even darker, you can experiment by adding a small amount of ivory black. This will push the value further towards a deep, shadowy tone, which can be useful in very dark areas of your painting. However, be careful not to overdo it, as black can overpower the mixture.
Glaze Test: Mix your new raw umber dark with matte medium (about 70% medium to 30% paint) to create a translucent glaze. Apply this to your canvas to see how the color behaves in thin layers, which is essential for the glazing technique. Compare the opacity and darkness with the original raw umber dark glaze.

Tip: Always mix pigments gradually. It’s easier to darken a color than to lighten it once too much pigment has been added.

Understanding the Color Profiles

When comparing raw umber, raw umber dark, and the new mixture, you’ll notice distinct differences. Regular raw umber has a lighter, slightly yellowish tint, while raw umber dark is much deeper and richer. The new mixture you create will closely mimic this, but, making it a suitable substitute for shadows and depth in your artwork.

Here’s how the colors break down:

Raw Umber: A medium brown with a yellowish tint.
Raw Umber Dark: A very dark brown, ideal for shadowing and glazing.
Mixed Raw Umber Dark: A custom blend that sits between the two, close to the deep richness of Raw Umber Dark.

Tip: Keep your mixtures balanced. Too much ultramarine blue or alizarine crimson can throw off the shade, so adjust slowly and test frequently.

Practical Uses of Raw Umber Dark in Acrylic Painting

Building Shadows: Raw umber dark is perfect for deepening shadows in portrait and landscape paintings. Its dark tone adds a layer of realism, creating more depth and dimension.
Acrylic Glazing: As a translucent glaze, raw umber dark can build up shadows gradually, allowing for a more natural transition between light and dark areas. It’s especially useful in the glazing technique, where thin layers of color are applied to create luminosity and depth.
Creating Neutral Tones: This pigment mix can also be used to neutralize overly vibrant colors. Mixing it with bright hues will tone them down, creating more subtle and realistic shades.

Tip: Always test your glaze on a scrap piece of canvas before applying it to your painting. This will help you gauge how transparent and dark your mixture is.

By making your own raw umber dark, you can continue painting without interruption even if the store runs out of your favorite pigment. The process is straightforward, requiring only a few readily available colors. With some practice, you’ll be able to mix a close replica that will serve you well in your acrylic paintings.

Watch my tutorial to learn more about how to make your own raw umber dark.

LEARN MORE

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,

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!

First Steps of Painting Trees and Grass in Your Acrylic Portrait

How to Paint Realistic Trees & Grass in Your Acrylic

It’s important to know how to paint greenery in your acrylic portrait.

In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to paint realistic trees and grass using the acrylic glazing technique. This approach allows for gradual layering of colors, which adds depth and vibrancy to your landscape. Acrylic glazing helps build up the scene, much like how an oil painting develops, while maintaining the versatility and quick-drying benefits of acrylics.

Whether you’re working on a portrait background or a full landscape, these methods will enhance your painting’s realism. So, grab your brushes and let’s dive in!

Materials You’ll Need

Before starting, make sure you have these essential tools:

Acrylic paints (Raw umber, ultramarine blue, indian yellow, phthalo blue)
Matte medium
Flat brushes
Palette
Reference photo (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Trees and Grass

1. Prepare Your Palette and Materials

Begin by setting up your palette with the necessary colors. In this painting, raw umber and ultramarine blue will serve as the foundation for shadows, while indian yellow and phthalo blue will add vibrancy to the lighter areas. Make sure to have a matte medium to thin out your paints for glazing.

Transitioning between vibrant and muted colors is key. As you work in darker areas, shift away from highly saturated colors like Indian Yellow to cooler tones like ultramarine blue.

2. Start with a Sketch

Begin with a light sketch on your canvas, which will act as a guide for placing trees and grass. Use thin layers of paint to avoid covering up your sketch too early. In the initial stages, the painting may resemble a watercolor, but as you apply more glazes, it will begin to take on the characteristics of a full-bodied acrylic painting.

3. Apply the First Layer of Glazes for the Grass

When painting grass, start by applying a base layer using vibrant colors like Indian yellow and phthalo blue. This combination gives the grass a rich, glowing appearance. As you move further away into the background or shadows, use cooler and less intense tones like raw umber.

For glazing, thin out your paint with matte medium to make it translucent. This will allow previous layers to show through, creating depth. Layering slowly is crucial—don’t rush the process.

4. Develop Shadows Within the Shadows

Once the initial glaze dries, begin adding darker tones to create depth. In this case, mix raw umber dark with ultramarine blue. The deeper shades of color should be applied sparingly to the areas that are farthest from the light source. This technique, known as adding “shadows within the shadows,” adds dimension and makes your painting more realistic.

In places where light barely reaches, such as underneath trees or in between clumps of grass, carefully brush in darker glazes. Thin these glazes with matte medium to ensure the darkness isn’t overpowering.

5. Blending Techniques for a Smooth Transition

To achieve a seamless blend between light and dark areas, use a dry brush technique. As the paint on your brush begins to run out, use the remaining paint to blend areas softly. Gently sweep the brush back and forth in different directions, blending the layers into each other.

Switching between horizontal and vertical brush strokes can smooth the transitions between glazes, ensuring a more natural look for both trees and grass.

Tips & Techniques for Realistic Trees and Grass

Use Cooler Colors for Depth: Darker areas should have cooler, less intense colors. Avoid overly vibrant shades in the shadows to maintain realism.
Layer Gradually: Build your painting slowly, one thin layer at a time. This helps the colors blend well and creates a smooth transition from light to dark.
Reference Photos: Keep a reference photo nearby to help guide your light and shadow placement. Analyze where the darkest areas should be in relation to the light source.
Be Patient: The glazing technique takes time. Allow each layer to dry completely before moving on to the next. This prevents muddying your colors and ensures each layer adds value to the final piece.

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

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,

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!

Blocking In Skin Tone Values Using the Glazing Technique

How to Block In Skin Tone Values Using Glazing Technique

A step-by-step guide to glazing technique in acrylic portraits

Achieving realistic skin tones in acrylic portraits requires a nuanced approach, combining color theory with technique. The glazing technique, a method involving the layering of transparent color, can be highly effective for this purpose. In this post, we will explore how to block in skin tone values using the glazing technique, drawing from a practical demonstration by artist Matt Philleo. Whether you’re aiming for lifelike detail or a more stylized finish, this guide will help you understand and implement the essential steps in your acrylic painting.

Understanding the Glazing Technique

The glazing technique in acrylic painting involves applying thin, transparent layers of paint over a dry underpainting. This method enhances depth and richness in colors without overwhelming the underlying details. When blocking in skin tones, glazing allows for subtle gradations and realistic shading, critical for achieving lifelike results.

Step-by-Step Guide to Blocking In Skin Tone Values

Prepare Your Palette: Start by setting up your palette with essential colors. For skin tones, commonly used colors include raw umber dark, raw sienna, alizarine crimson, and occasionally ultramarine blue. But these colors will form the base of your glazes, which are mixed with a matte medium to achieve transparency.
Block In Basic Shapes and Values: Begin by analyzing your reference photo to identify the key shapes and values on the subject’s face. Because, blocking in these shapes with a darker tone, such as raw umber dark mixed with matte medium, helps establish the foundational values. But, this step is crucial for building the structure of the portrait.
- Technique Tip: Use a round brush for precision. This allows you to carefully place glazes in specific areas, such as the darker regions of the face, while preserving the light areas.
Layering Glazes: Apply your first glaze layer over the basic shapes. For example, mix raw umber dark with raw sienna and alizarine crimson to create a flesh tone, and apply it to the areas where shadows naturally occur. This layer should be thin and transparent, gradually building up the color intensity.
- Technique Tip: Patience is key. When glazing requires multiple layers to achieve depth. Because it allow each layer to dry before applying the next to avoid mixing colors unintentionally.
Adjusting Skin Tones: As can be seen your progress, you may need to adjust skin tones to match different areas of your reference photo. For cooler skin tones, incorporate a touch of ultramarine blue into your glaze mix. For warmer tones, consider adding pyrrole orange or indian yellow. Adjusting these colors will help you match the diverse skin tones present in your portrait.
- Technique Tip: Monitor the transparency of your glazes. Adding more matte medium will help maintain the transparency necessary for effective glazing.
Refining Details: Once the basic values are in place, focus on refining details. Use a smaller brush to add more precise glazes to areas such as shadows around the eyes or lips. This step helps in achieving a more nuanced and realistic appearance.
- Technique Tip: Apply glazes in thin, smooth layers to avoid creating harsh lines. Gradually build up the color to achieve the desired effect.
Final Adjustments: After blocking in and refining your skin tones, assess the overall portrait. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure consistency and harmony in skin tones across the portrait. This may involve adding additional layers of glaze or adjusting existing ones.
- Technique Tip: Stepping back from your work periodically can help you see it from a different perspective and make more informed adjustments.

Blocking in skin tone values using the glazing technique is a powerful method for creating depth and realism in acrylic portraits. By layering transparent colors and carefully adjusting tones, you can achieve lifelike results that capture the essence of your subject. But remember, patience and practice are essential in mastering this technique. With time, you’ll find that glazing becomes an invaluable tool in your acrylic painting repertoire.

Tips and Techniques Recap:

Use a round brush for precision in blocking in values.
Mix colors with matte medium to create transparent glazes.
Apply glazes in thin, smooth layers and allow each to dry before adding more.
Adjust colors based on skin tone variations and monitor glaze transparency.
Refine details with smaller brushes and assess the overall portrait for consistency.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of blocking in skin tone values using the glazing technique.

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

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,

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!

Use this Secret Color to Paint Vibrant Reds in Your Acrylic Portrait

How to Paint Vibrant Reds in Your Acrylic Portrait

/ Uncategorized
/ By Matt Philleo

Discover the secret to vibrant reds in your acrylic portraits

Achieving rich, vibrant reds in acrylic portrait painting can be a challenge, but with the right technique, your reds will burst with life and color. In this tutorial, we’ll explore how you can use warm undertones and the acrylic glazing technique to enhance the vibrance of red tones in clothing and other areas of your portrait.

Understanding the Acrylic Glazing Technique

Glazing is an essential technique that involves applying thin, transparent layers of paint over a dried base color. This method allows the artist to build up colors gradually, giving the painting a sense of depth and vibrancy that cannot be achieved with solid, opaque layers alone.

When it comes to reds, the glazing technique is particularly useful for enhancing the richness and intensity of the color. Instead of simply applying a red pigment straight from the tube, you can use this method to create a more radiant and realistic red, making your acrylic portrait truly stand out.

The Role of Warm Undertones

One of the main tips for creating vibrant reds is to begin with warm undertones. Although it may seem counterintuitive, using colors like indian yellow and pyrrole orange as a base will help your reds appear more dynamic and alive.

You might wonder, “Why not just use red?” The answer is simple: adding warm undertones underneath your red glaze enhances the warmth and depth of the final color, making it more vibrant than if you used red alone.

Here’s how you can do it:

Start with a Base Color: Before applying any red, start by mixing Indian yellow and pyrrole orange. These colors may not seem red at first glance, but once you glaze over them, the warmth they provide will enhance the brilliance of your final red layer.
Apply the Warm Undertone: Using a diluted mix of Indian yellow and pyrrole orange, apply the first layer to areas of your portrait that will feature red clothing or objects. This technique works well for clothing, accessories, or any other elements in your painting that need a pop of red.
Use Matte Medium for Transparency: When applying glazes, it’s important not to use the paint straight from the tube. Instead, mix your paint with a matte medium to ensure it remains transparent. This will allow the undertones to show through and interact with the top layer of red.

Layering the Red Glaze

After establishing the warm undertone, it’s time to apply the red glaze.

Choose the Right Red: Select a red pigment that works well for your painting. Consider using a red with slightly cool or neutral undertones, as the warmth from the base layer will balance it out.
Apply the Glaze in Thin Layers: Using a soft brush, gently apply a thin layer of red over the areas where you’ve already applied the warm undertone. Since this is a glazing technique, it’s important to keep the layers thin and transparent, allowing the undertone to shine through. Each additional layer will build up the color’s intensity.
Allow Drying Between Layers: Patience is key when using the glazing technique. Allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next. This ensures that the layers remain distinct and prevents the colors from becoming muddy.

Adjusting the Saturation for Different Effects

Not all reds need to be equally vibrant in every part of the portrait. Depending on the light source, shadows, and context of the painting, you may want to vary the intensity of your red tones. Here’s how you can control the saturation of your reds:

Dilute the Glaze for Subtle Reds: If you want certain areas of the red clothing or object to appear more muted, simply dilute your red paint further with matte medium. This will create a more translucent glaze, allowing more of the warm undertones to come through.
Increase Layering for Vibrant Reds: For areas where you want the red to pop, you can add multiple layers of red glaze. This will gradually increase the saturation, giving a more vibrant and bold effect.
Shadows and Highlights: Pay attention to how light interacts with the red areas in your portrait. For shadows, you can mix a small amount of raw umber or burnt sienna into your red glaze to darken it slightly. For highlights, consider using a more diluted glaze or even mixing in a bit of titanium white for a lighter red tone.

Tips for Painting Vibrant Reds

Use a Soft Brush: A soft, synthetic brush is ideal for applying smooth, even glazes. It allows you to create thin, controlled layers without leaving visible brush marks.
Patience is Key: Glazing requires patience, as each layer must dry before applying the next. However, the end result will be worth it, as your reds will have a depth and vibrancy that solid layers can’t achieve.
Experiment with Colors: While this technique focuses on Indian yellow and pyrrole orange, don’t be afraid to experiment with other warm tones for the base layer. Even a touch of cadmium yellow or burnt sienna could create interesting effects.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Too Opaque Glazes: One of the most common mistakes when glazing is using paint that is too opaque. Always dilute your paint with matte medium to maintain the transparency that makes glazing effective.
Not Allowing Layers to Dry: If you rush and apply layers before the previous one is dry, you risk muddying the colors and losing the clarity of the glazing effect.
Skipping the Warm Undertones: Remember, the warm undertones are what give your reds that extra vibrance. Skipping this step will result in reds that look flat and less dynamic.

Painting vibrant reds in your acrylic portrait requires more than just picking the right red from your palette. By using the glazing technique and applying warm undertones, you can create reds that pop with life and depth. Take your time, layer your colors carefully, and experiment with different red tones to achieve stunning, realistic results 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

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,

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!

Glazing Background Colors and More in Acrylic

How to Glaze Background Colors & More Acrylic Portrait

/ Backgrounds Glazing Video Tutorial
/ By Matt Philleo

Creating seamless transitions in background colors & step-by-step guide in applying glazes

In this tutorial, we will explore the powerful acrylic glazing technique, focusing on how to glaze background colors and more in an acrylic portrait to create depth and vibrancy. This method adds luminosity and realism to your acrylic portraits by layering colors, which can be used not only for the background but also for clothing and other key details. This lesson is based on a 30 x 40 acrylic portrait of Moses, Aaron, and Hur during the ancient battle against the Amalekites.

The Acrylic Glazing Technique

Acrylic glazing is an essential technique that involves mixing a transparent medium, like matte medium, with acrylic paint to create layers of translucent color. As a result is a soft, glowing effect that gives your painting depth and complexity without covering the layers beneath.

Tools and Materials

Matte Medium
Acrylic paints (Alizarin Crimson, Blue, etc.)
Flat Brushes (size 20, 2-inch, ¾ flat)
Palette
Reference photo
Cloth or rag for cleaning

Step 1: Preparing the Background

Before starting, it’s essential to have a reference photo to guide your colors and shading. In this case, we focus on creating a sky that balances warm tones and cool blues, providing an atmospheric background for the figures.

Mixing Your Glaze:
Basically you begin by mixing a small amount of alizarine crimson with a lot of matte medium. The goal is to have a translucent color that will of course allow the previous layers of paint to show through. But, if the mixture is too opaque, you can add more medium to thin it out.
Applying the Glaze:
Use a large 2-inch flat brush to apply the glaze to the canvas. Then ,start in the upper right corner of the painting, brushing the glaze horizontally across the sky. But, this technique ensures that the background maintains a natural flow and stays consistent with the painting’s perspective.
Using Vertical and Diagonal Strokes:
So to blend the glaze seamlessly, alternate between vertical, diagonal, and horizontal brush strokes. Then this helps spread the paint evenly, preventing streaks. Remember, you can always dilute the glaze if it’s too dark by adding more matte medium or wiping away excess paint with a rag.

Step 2: Building Depth and Adjusting the Colors

After applying the first layer of glaze, assess your work by comparing it to the reference photo. In this example, the right side of the painting is darker and has a slightly pinkish hue, which can be achieved by applying a second layer of alizarine crimson glaze.

Control Your Mixture:
As you move to different parts of the painting, like the horizon or figures, then you can adjust the glaze’s intensity. Then you can add more matte medium for lighter areas or increase the pigment concentration for deeper shadows. Because this flexibility allows you to control the shading gradually, making it easier to match the reference.
Layering Colors in the Sky:
However you will gradually build up the background by layering different shades of pink and blue. But at the horizon, where the sky meets the land, a hint of pink helps tie the colors together. Then, use soft vertical and diagonal strokes to blend the hues smoothly.

Step 3: Glazing Details on the Figures

Once the background is complete, the same glazing technique can be applied to specific details in the painting, such as the clothing of Moses, Aaron, and Hur.

Adding Depth to Moses’s Clothing:
For Moses, we applied the same alizarine crimson glaze to his robe. Then, by increasing the ratio of paint to matte medium, the color becomes slightly more vibrant, adding richness to his garments without losing the transparent effect.
Balancing Colors and Tones:
Be mindful of the overall composition. For example, if the colors of Moses’s robe look too much like the American flag (red, white, and blue), adjust by adding green or a neutral shade to balance it out.
Blending and Refining:
For finer details, such as stripes or shading on clothing, use smaller brushes and carefully scrub the glaze into the fabric’s texture. This adds realism without overwhelming the initial colors laid down.

Common Glazing Tips and Techniques

Dilution is Key:
To avoid overpowering your painting, always mix a high ratio of matte medium to pigment. The goal is to enhance, not obscure, the layers beneath.
Wipe Away Excess Paint:
Glazing offers flexibility; if the color is too intense, you can easily remove it using a damp cloth. This allows for continuous adjustments and experimentation.
Layer Light to Dark:
When working with glazes, start with lighter colors and gradually build up to darker tones. This approach maintains the painting’s luminosity while allowing the colors to interact naturally.
Use a Reference Photo:
Having a clear and close reference photo is essential for glazing. Keep it taped near or on top of your painting to check your colors and values. This ensures you stay on track with the scene’s depth and lighting.
Brush Strokes Matter:
Vary your brush strokes (vertical, diagonal, horizontal) to blend glazes seamlessly. Consistent direction can lead to visible lines that distract from the painting’s flow.

Glazing background colors in acrylic portrait paintings is a powerful way to create depth and atmosphere. By following the layering techniques outlined above, you can achieve a vibrant and realistic sky while also enhancing the finer details of your subjects. Through practice and patience, this method will elevate your acrylic painting skills, giving your artwork a professional and polished look.

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

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,

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!