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!
Before starting, make sure you have these essential tools:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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,
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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,
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!
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.
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.
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:
After establishing the warm undertone, it’s time to apply the red glaze.
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:
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!
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,
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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,
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!
Painting white clothing in acrylic portraits might seem straightforward, but achieving realism requires more than just using white paint. White fabrics often reflect surrounding colors and shadows, adding complexity. In this guide, you’ll learn how to paint realistic white clothing in your acrylic portrait, perfecting shadow depth and subtle highlights through glazing techniques.
White clothing is rarely purely white in real life but It reflects surrounding colors and light, creating a range of tones. In your portrait, the goal is to replicate these tones by incorporating shadows and highlights to make the fabric come to life.
To paint white fabric, you must go beyond pure white but of course good mix for shadows and tints includes:
Mixing these colors creates a gray base overall, it can be tinted to match the lighting and surrounding hues. For a cooler effect, add more ultramarine blue, while for warmer tones, mix in more alizarine crimson.
Since glazing is essential for creating depth in white clothing. Then you need to start by using light, transparent layers of paint and build up shadows gradually. The initial layers will appear faint, but as you add more glazes, the depth increases, giving the clothing a realistic appearance.
Tip: Apply the glaze thinly to ensure transparency. You can always build up the tone by adding more layers, but it’s harder to undo a glaze that’s too dark.
While shadows bring out the fabric’s texture and form. Therefore, in white clothing, the shadows often have cool undertones, depending on the light source. Then you can start by adding a thin, cool-toned glaze in areas that fall away from the light. Focus particularly on creating contrast between shadowed areas and highlights to ensure the fabric doesn’t look flat.
Using a round brush will give you more control over the finer details, like wrinkles and folds. For larger areas, switch to a flat brush to apply an even layer of paint.
Highlights are just as crucial as shadows. Identify the areas where light directly hits the fabric and leave those spaces lighter. You can even add a final layer of pure titanium white for the brightest spots.
Pro Tip: Make sure to blend the edges of the highlights into the surrounding shadows for a smooth transition. This blending enhances the realism, ensuring the highlights don’t look too harsh or out of place.
Folds in white clothing can be tricky because they require soft transitions from light to shadow. Use your reference photo to determine where the folds naturally occur. Start with a light wash for the base and build up the darker tones in the deepest parts of the fold using a combination of gray tones. Avoid sharp lines; instead, use soft brush strokes to mimic the natural flow of fabric.
Once the main areas of the clothing are blocked in, it’s time to refine the smaller details. Look for small, intricate wrinkles and folds that catch the light differently. For example, around the arms or midsection, shadows might appear sharper. Strengthen those areas by layering more ultramarine blue or alizarine crimson in the mix.
Tip: Be mindful of not over-darkening areas. White clothing should still appear white, even in shadowed areas, so keep your tones subtle.
In your portrait, the fabric’s color will vary based on its surroundings. For instance, if your subject is outdoors, the white clothing might reflect some of the sky, creating a bluish tint in the shadows. On the other hand, indoor lighting might cast warmer reflections. Adjust the color of your glaze to match these conditions.
Pro Tip: Test your color mixes on a separate sheet before applying them to your painting. This ensures you have the correct tone without accidentally adding too much warmth or coolness.
As you near the completion of your painting, step back and examine the overall balance. Do the shadows and highlights create the necessary depth? Does the fabric appear natural? If not, continue to add thin layers of glaze until the tones are balanced.
Once satisfied, add finishing touches by defining the sharpest wrinkles or folds with a fine brush. You can also use pure white on the brightest areas to make the fabric pop.
Painting white clothing in an acrylic portrait requires more than just using white paint. With the right color mixes, glazing techniques, and attention to detail, you can create a realistic depiction of white fabric. By building shadows and highlights gradually, your painting will have depth and vibrancy, capturing the essence of the fabric in a natural way.
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!
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,
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!
Transitioning from a sketch to a detailed painting can be a challenge, but with the right techniques, the process can be simplified. In this post, we will explore how to use acrylic glazing to transform a simple sketch into a vibrant, realistic painting. This method not only builds contrast but also gives the painting depth and life, allowing for gradual layering that enhances detail and realism.
Before diving into color and skin tones, it’s essential to establish the structural foundation of your painting. Many artists fall into the trap of immediately focusing on skin tones, only to end up with muddy, flat colors due to a lack of contrast. The key is to first build up your dark values to measure your midtones and highlights against them. By doing so, you create a balanced image where light and shadow work harmoniously.
When starting your painting, don’t focus on details like skin tones or small textures right away. Instead, think in terms of light and dark, focusing on the overall contrast. Use your sketch as a guideline and begin with general areas that need darkening. In this tutorial, we will use a combination of raw umber dark and ultramarine blue to create a rich, customizable black that is far more versatile than pre-mixed black paints like mars or ivory black.
Acrylic glazing is the core technique used to transition from a sketch to a painting. A glaze is simply a thin, translucent layer of paint applied over dry paint to build depth and modify color. For this process, you’ll need two basic components: paint and matte medium. Matte medium helps thin the paint without losing its vibrant color, allowing you to apply multiple layers without muddying the details beneath.
To create your glaze, mix a small amount of raw umber dark with ultramarine blue to make a deep, customizable black. Adjust the warmth or coolness of the black by adding more umber for warmth or more blue for a cooler tone. Once mixed, add in your matte medium to create a smooth glaze.
Once your glaze is ready, begin by applying it to large areas of your painting that require dark tones. For example, in a family portrait with 30 subjects, you might want to start by darkening clothing, hair, and shadows under the neck and face. Work from one side of the painting to the other, applying your glaze in smooth, even strokes.
As you work, keep in mind that the glazing process is all about building up layers gradually. Don’t try to achieve the perfect tone with just one pass. Instead, allow each glaze to dry before adding the next. This method will ensure that your painting remains vibrant and full of depth, rather than becoming flat or muddy.
When applying your glaze, alternate your brush strokes to create a smooth, seamless transition between light and dark areas. For example, when working on a subject’s shirt, brush horizontally across the fabric and then switch to vertical strokes. This back-and-forth motion helps blend the glaze evenly and prevents blotchiness.
Maintaining a wet edge is crucial during this process. A wet edge allows you to blend the glaze smoothly as you go, creating consistent shading and tone. If you let one area dry before finishing, you might end up with harsh lines or uneven patches.
Once you’ve established the darker areas of your painting, it’s time to move on to more detailed sections. Focus on transitioning from shadows to midtones and highlights. For example, when painting hair or intricate clothing, use your glazing technique to build depth gradually. The shadows in the hair can be darkened while leaving room for highlights, ensuring the subject looks three-dimensional.
At this stage, remember to keep the focus on form and structure. Don’t worry too much about perfect color accuracy just yet. As you layer your glazes, the true colors will emerge, and the painting will gain a natural depth and vibrancy.
A common mistake that many artists make is rushing the skin tones too early. Skin tones can be tricky, and if they are not applied with the proper contrast already established, they can easily look flat and lifeless. By focusing first on the shadows and darker values, you will create a foundation on which the skin tones can later be added and adjusted.
When it comes time to start adding skin tones, remember that they should be lighter in comparison to your dark values. This contrast is what brings realism and dimension to your painting.
Transitioning from a sketch to a painting is a delicate process that requires patience and technique. By using acrylic glazing, you can enhance your artwork by gradually building up contrast, depth, and realism. Focus first on your darker values, slowly layering your glazes, and allow the painting to develop naturally.
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!
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,
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 portrait painting requires understanding shading, value, and skin tone to capture the subject’s essence. In this post, you’ll learn how to block in shading and skin tones using acrylic glazing techniques, without losing detail or vibrancy.
Creating realistic skin tones and shading is a crucial aspect of acrylic portrait painting. This technique, known as blocking in, helps you define mid-tones and shadows early on, setting the stage for a vibrant and lifelike portrait. Using acrylic glazing, this process ensures a smooth transition from sketch to finished painting, retaining the likeness while building depth and luminosity. In this tutorial, we will break down how to block in shading and skin tones, offering a step-by-step guide to enhance your portrait’s realism.
Acrylic glazing involves applying thin layers of translucent paint over a base to create depth and smooth transitions. Because combining paint with matte medium, you can control the transparency, allowing the underpainting to shine through. Then this method is ideal for building subtle layers of skin tones without overpowering the original sketch.
Tip: Start with light glazes and build up gradually. Also, use more medium for lighter glazes and increase pigment for darker tones.
Before diving into shading, gather the following materials:
Tip: Matte medium works best for glazing because it dries flat, ensuring you maintain control over the values. Avoid gloss mediums, as they can create distracting reflections while working.
Start by ensuring your portrait sketch is clear and precise. The sketch provides the foundation for your shading and color work. Because it focus on the key areas where light and shadow fall, as these will guide your shading process.
Tip: Preserve the luminosity by keeping the lighter areas, such as the forehead, untouched during initial layers. This helps maintain brightness in the final result.
Mix raw sienna with matte medium to create your first glaze. Raw sienna is an excellent base color for skin tones, providing a natural warmth that can be built upon. Apply this glaze lightly across the mid-tones of the face, avoiding the highlights.
Technique Insight: When, glazing allows you to enhance skin tones subtly without covering the entire surface. And then translucent layers let you build up depth without losing the detailed sketch beneath.
While color is important, value—the lightness or darkness of an area—is even more crucial. Focus on building form by shading the areas that need more depth, like the sides of the face, beneath the chin, and around the nose.
Tip: “Value over color” is a fundamental principle. A black-and-white portrait can still be striking if the values are correct. Don’t rush to perfect the skin tone without ensuring the shadows and highlights are accurate.
Basically to enhance your raw sienna base, introduce subtle variations using pyrrole orange. While this color adds a red-orange tint to areas like the cheeks and nose, creating a more natural skin tone. Mix the pyro orange with matte medium to maintain translucency, then applying it in thin layers over the previous glazes.
Technique Insight: For fairer skin, keep the glazes light and gradually build up warmth with minimal layers. For darker or tanned skin tones, you can deepen the shading by increasing the pigment concentration in each glaze.
As you continue applying glazes, you’ll notice how the layers blend smoothly, creating a gradual transition between light and shadow. Use a soft brush to gently feather the edges of your glazes, ensuring there are no harsh lines between transitions.
Tip: If any areas become too dark, you can lighten them by adding a glaze of matte medium mixed with titanium white. This will soften the area without disrupting the overall value structure.
When blocking in shading, it’s essential to preserve the lighter areas, like the forehead and the top of the nose. You can always adjust these areas with subtle glazes later, but maintaining their brightness early on ensures that your portrait remains balanced in terms of light and form.
Tip: Always work in stages, letting each glaze dry before adding another. This allows you to assess the overall effect and make adjustments as necessary.
Once you have built up your skin tones and shading, you can start adding more opaque layers in areas that need stronger definition. Reduce the amount of matte medium for these layers, focusing on darker shadows and adding detail to features like the eyes, lips, and nose.
Tip: Use smaller brushes for detailing in these final stages, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value across the face.
Blocking in shading and skin tones using acrylic glazing takes practice, but the results can be incredibly rewarding. By focusing on value, applying translucent layers, and preserving luminosity, you can create a portrait that has depth, realism, and vibrancy.
Final Tip: Remember, the glazing technique is all about patience. Build up your layers gradually, allowing each one to contribute to the final result.
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!
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,
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!
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.
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!)
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 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,
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!
Painting a pet portrait in acrylics can be both challenging and rewarding, especially when you’re working to achieve vibrant, realistic colors. Because in layering glazes, you can build up color and add depth and detail to your artwork. In this blog post, we will discuss how to build up color on an acrylic pet portrait and essential techniques using layering and glazing methods. These methods will help you create a lifelike, detailed portrait that captures your pet’s personality.
When creating a pet portrait, achieving the correct value and depth is essential. In this case, the portrait of a dog is about halfway through the painting process. The color palette has already been established, but there is still work to be done to enhance the fur, add contrast, and bring out the finer details.
At the beginning of your painting process, it is crucial to establish the general tones and values in the portrait. In this instance, the background and main areas of the dog’s fur have been developed, but some regions require more contrast to make the fur stand out. Then this can be done using glazing techniques, which allow you to apply thin, transparent layers of paint.
Tip: So use a clear matte glazing medium to dilute your paints and apply them in layers. This will help you control the opacity and depth of color while maintaining transparency.
In this case, glazing is one of the most effective methods for building up rich color in your portrait. Because when applying layers of thin paint mixed with medium, you can create depth and saturation without losing the underlying details of the fur texture.
The raw umber is used as a base color to add warmth and shadow to the dog’s fur. This color helps in creating the darker values that contrast with the highlights.
Tip: When applying glazes, make sure to work slowly and build up the layers gradually. This process allows you to maintain the integrity of the underlying colors and textures.
Balancing warm and cool tones is key to achieving a realistic look. In this case, the painter alternates between warm, earthy tones and cooler colors to create the contrast needed in the fur. For instance, pinkish glazes are applied to give the ear a warm undertone, while ultramarine blue is used to cool down certain areas that appear too warm.
Technique: Mix a small amount of ultramarine blue into your existing glaze to cool down warm areas. This subtle adjustment helps ensure that different parts of the portrait do not compete for attention.
Once you have built up the darker values, the next step is to add highlights to bring out the texture of the fur. In this step, you’ll apply lighter colors to the areas where the fur catches the light, making the dog’s coat appear more three-dimensional.
The painter uses a mix of white and glazing medium to add highlights, ensuring the overall painting retains transparency while gaining depth.
Tip: You can use your finger to gently blend the highlights into the surrounding areas, creating soft transitions between light and dark.
The “push and pull” technique involves adding darkness and light alternately to achieve a balanced portrait. It’s not just about adding color; it’s about knowing when to subtract or modify the value. By continually refining the contrast and adjusting the balance between darks and lights, you can create a portrait that looks natural and dynamic.
While glazes create transparency and depth, there are times when you’ll need to use more opaque layers. This helps cut down on any unwanted graininess and adds a sense of richness to the painting. In the final stages, using more paint and less medium allows for crisper lines and bolder highlights that make the pet’s fur pop.
Tip: Introduce more opaque layers toward the later stages of your painting process to preserve detail while avoiding a “washed-out” appearance.
The fine details in the fur are what bring the pet portrait to life. By using a combination of glazes and opaque layers, you can accentuate individual strands of fur while maintaining the overall texture. It’s important to take your time and work in small sections, constantly comparing areas of the painting to your reference photo.
Technique: Twist your brush into a fine point before adding detail to ensure precision when painting fur and other delicate areas.
As you move into the later stages of the painting, you’ll want to add finishing touches that bring the portrait together. In this pet portrait, the artist continues to refine the dog’s fur, focusing on the balance between warm and cool areas. Areas around the dog’s eyes and nose require extra attention to get the right contrast and detail, which will give the portrait a realistic finish.
Tip: Establish your darkest values first, such as the nose and eyes, as a benchmark. This will help you determine how dark the other areas of the painting should be in relation to those values.
By following these steps, you can gradually build up rich and vibrant colors in your acrylic pet portraits. The layering and glazing techniques discussed here will help you achieve a beautiful, lifelike painting that captures the unique personality of your pet.
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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,
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!
When painting realistic portraits, capturing the form and texture of clothing is essential to enhance the overall composition. In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the acrylic glazing process, and then showing you how to add depth and realism to clothing through multiple translucent layers. Because when applying glazes strategically, you’ll learn how to build up shadows, highlights, and form, transforming a flat piece into a dimensional garment. Let’s explore the process together, step-by-step.
Acrylic glazing is a technique where thin layers of translucent paint are applied to gradually build color depth, shading, and form. This method allows the underpainting or detailed sketch to remain visible while adding subtle tints, resulting in a soft, blended effect. Whereas glazing gives artists the flexibility to create nuances in their work, making it perfect for clothing, where light reflections, textures, and folds play a significant role.
Before applying glazes, ensure your base layer or sketch is ready. Because this technique works best over an underpainting where shadows, highlights, and basic forms have already been mapped out. Then by having a solid foundation, each glaze can be applied to enhance these areas.
Tip: Use a light underpainting to preserve the details and adjust as needed while glazing. The sketch will guide you in positioning shadows and highlights accurately.
For the glazing medium, use clear acrylic matte medium mixed with your desired paint color. Because in this tutorial, would recommend using a combination of ultramarine blue and raw umber dark to achieve subtle depth on fabric.
Start by adding a small amount of paint to the matte medium. The key is to keep the glaze transparent enough that it tints the layer beneath without fully covering it. This allows for gradual build-up.
Technique: Aim for a milky consistency when mixing the medium. The paint should be thinned enough to let the previous layer show through but thick enough to make a difference.
Begin with a light glaze, especially when working on darker areas like flannel patterns or the shadowed sections of clothing. Use a flat or detail brush to apply the glaze over specific areas, following the contours and folds of the fabric.
For the woman’s flannel shirt, I begin by applying the glaze to the fabric’s stripes. A small flat brush helps maintain control and precision.
Tip: Brush in multiple directions—vertically, horizontally, or diagonally—to create smooth coverage. This helps prevent blotchiness and ensures an even, seamless layer.
As you apply each glaze, you’ll notice the color and form starting to take shape. One of the key principles in acrylic glazing is patience. Instead of rushing to finish, build up depth with several light layers. This gradual approach allows you to create more refined transitions between shadow and light.
When painting darker sections of fabric, such as the boy’s shirt in the example, don’t rely on flat black paint. Instead, use a mix of raw umber dark and ultramarine blue. This combination offers a more nuanced look with color variations that enhance realism.
Technique: Continue glazing in small, light strokes. Let each layer dry before applying the next to avoid smudging or muddying the colors.
When acrylic glazing offers flexibility. Then you find that certain areas of the fabric are too dark or the wrinkles don’t appear natural, you can easily adjust. Simply go over the area with a lighter glaze or use a dry brush technique to soften any hard lines.
For instance, if the folds of the fabric seem off or too sharp, a lighter glaze can be used to smooth out transitions. By constantly assessing your work, you can make minor adjustments without disrupting the overall composition.
When building up form on clothing with acrylic glazing allows for greater depth, subtlety, and realism in your portraits. By layering transparent colors, you can achieve soft transitions and nuanced details that mimic the natural flow and texture of fabric. Because in this technique give you the flexibility to adjust as needed and provides a smoother finish without losing the underlying details of your initial sketch.
With a lot of practice and patience, then you can use glazing to bring clothing to life in your acrylic portraits, making your subjects stand out with dimensionality and richness. Start slow, build up gradually, and enjoy the process of watching your painting transform with every layer.
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!
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,
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!