Realistic Acrylic Portrait School
Sketching Your Painting Accurately

How to Sketch Your Painting Accurately

Every house has a foundation. A painting is no different.

Sketching is the foundational step for creating a compelling painting, whether it’s a portrait or a landscape. Because ensuring that your initial drawing is accurate will set the stage for a successful painting. So, let’s explore how you can refine your sketching techniques to produce a detailed, realistic sketch every time and learn how to sketch your painting accurately.

Understanding the Importance of Sketch Accuracy

One of the most critical aspects of a painting is the accuracy of the sketch. A well-executed sketch serves as a blueprint for your painting. If the proportions or features are off, it can affect the entire piece, making it harder to fix issues later on. Focusing on precision at the sketching stage will save time, reduce frustration, and elevate the final artwork.

In this tutorial, we’ll look at several key points to improve sketch accuracy, using examples from a portrait critique.

Tools and Techniques for Accurate Sketching

Accurate sketching requires the right tools and techniques. Below are some methods that will help ensure that your initial drawing is precise.

  1. Use a Grid Method
    • The grid method is one of the most reliable ways to sketch your painting accurately. By dividing both your reference photo and your canvas into a grid of equal-sized squares, you can focus on one square at a time, drawing what you see in each section. This helps break down complex subjects into manageable portions, making it easier to capture fine details.
    • Tip: Lightly draw the grid on your canvas with a pencil so that it can be easily erased later.
  2. Measure Proportions Carefully
    • When sketching a portrait or any subject, it’s important to get the proportions right. Use a pencil to measure distances between facial features or elements of your painting. For instance, the distance between the eyes, nose, and mouth should be proportionate to the rest of the face.
    • Technique: Hold your pencil at arm’s length and use it to compare the size of one part of the face with another.
  3. Check Your Angles
    • Often, artists overlook the importance of angles. When sketching, observe the angles between key features, such as the tilt of a head or the angle of a jawline. A small discrepancy in an angle can change the entire expression of your subject.
    • Tip: When drawing, use a straight edge or a reference line to guide the angles.
  4. Define Shape and Shadows
    • Pay close attention to both the shape and shadow of the features you’re drawing. For example, the shape of a mouth is more than just the lips — it also includes the shadows cast by the lips and surrounding areas. This attention to detail will give your sketch depth and realism.
    • Tip: Use faint lines at first to outline shadows, and darken them later as needed.

Key Areas to Focus on While Sketching

Some specific areas of a portrait or subject can be particularly tricky to sketch accurately. Here are some tips to help:

  1. Drawing the Mouth
    • The mouth is an area where subtle differences can greatly affect likeness. Pay attention to the shape of the lips, the shadows they cast, and the angles at the corners of the mouth. Make sure to differentiate between the lips and the shadows below them.
    • Technique: To make the mouth look realistic, avoid hard lines. Instead, use shading to define the lower lip and the soft shadow underneath it.
  2. Capturing Expressions
    • A portrait’s success often hinges on capturing the subject’s expression accurately. Focus on small details like wrinkles and creases around the mouth and eyes. These features often emphasize expressions, such as smiles or frowns, and can add realism to your sketch.
    • Tip: Observe how wrinkles and lines behave when someone smiles. They are essential to conveying emotion.
  3. Eyes and Their Importance
    • The eyes are the focal point of many portraits. Getting the shape, angles, and light reflections in the eyes correct is crucial for capturing likeness and depth. Crow’s feet (wrinkles around the eyes) often enhance the realism of a smiling face.
    • Technique: Use both horizontal and vertical lines to create a grid around the eye area. This helps maintain the proper distance between the eyes and makes them symmetrical.

Refining Your Sketch for Accuracy

Once the basic sketch is in place, the next step is to refine it. This includes erasing unnecessary lines and sharpening the ones that define key features.

Tip: Build up shadows gradually by layering light strokes rather than making heavy marks.

Erase Gently

Avoid heavy erasing, as it can damage the surface of your paper or canvas. Use a kneaded eraser, which is softer, to remove lines without leaving smudges.

Tip: Rather than rubbing, dab the eraser to lift the pencil marks gently.

Adjust Proportions if Needed

Even after you’ve completed your sketch, don’t be afraid to adjust proportions if something seems off. It’s much easier to make these corrections before you start painting.

Technique: Stand back from your sketch and look at it from a distance to check if the proportions still look accurate.

Use Sketchy Lines for Shadows

Instead of using solid lines, use light, sketchy strokes to define areas of shadow. This helps to give the drawing a more natural and softer look, which will enhance the realism when you start painting.

Watch my tutorial to learn more about  sketching your painting accurately.

LEARN MORE

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

Yours for Better Portraits,

Signature_200dpi_sm.jpg

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

Beginning a Pet Portrait in Acrylic

How to Begin a Pet Portrait in Acrylic

Start your pet portrait right: Essential steps to achieving realism with acrylic glazing

Creating a realistic pet portrait in acrylic is an exciting and rewarding artistic journey. So, I’ll walk you through the initial steps on how to begin a pet portrait in acrylic using the acrylic glazing technique, emphasizing smooth application, subtle tones, and layering. If you’ve ever wanted to create lifelike animal portraits, this guide will help you get started with the right foundation.

1. Choosing the Right Surface and Photo Reference

When starting a pet portrait, one of the first things to consider is the surface you’ll be painting on. While canvas is a popular choice, the artist in this tutorial uses masonite or hardboard, which offers a smoother texture than canvas. This type of surface allows for finer details that are crucial in realistic pet portraits.

Equally important is the photo reference. I emphasize the importance of having a high-quality photo, with good lighting and clear detail. The client provided a well-lit photo with natural light coming through a window, highlighting the dog’s fur, whiskers, and even reflections in the eyes.

Tip: Always choose a photo that shows a clear light source, as this will help you accurately capture the fur’s texture and the reflections in the eyes.

2. Creating a Detailed Sketch

Once you’ve selected your surface and photo, the next step is to create a detailed foundation sketch. Philleo uses a sepia-tone colored pencil to create the sketch, which matches the dog’s natural fur tones. This helps the sketch blend seamlessly into the painting later on.

The sketch should focus on the primary features of the pet, including the eyes, nose, and fur pattern. These initial lines will act as guides when applying the first layers of paint.

Technique Tip: Keep your sketch light and detailed, and ensure that the proportion of the features is accurate. A well-executed sketch sets the stage for a successful painting.

3. Sealing the Sketch with Glazing Medium

After completing the sketch, it’s important to seal the drawing to protect it from being disturbed by the first layers of paint. I use a clear glazing medium—a flat, matte medium that acts as a transparent sealant. By sealing the sketch, you prevent the brush strokes from smudging or obliterating the pencil lines, keeping your initial work intact.

Tip: Always allow the glazing medium to dry completely before starting the painting process. This ensures the sketch remains untouched.

4. Applying the Background Colors

When it comes to painting, I start by focusing on the background, which helps create contrast between the pet and its surroundings. In this example, I opt in for a dark gray background. I chose this because it not only contrasts well with the dog’s golden fur but also adds depth to the painting.

I mix ultramarine blue with burnt sienna to create a muted gray tone, which forms the base layer. Using cross-directional strokes, and then ensuring an even application, keeping the background smooth yet textured.

Technique Tip: By mixing contrasting colors like blue and brown, you can create a neutral, subdued background that doesn’t compete with the subject.

5. Building Up Layers with Glazes

Once the background is complete, the next step is to begin painting the pet itself using the glazing technique. Glazing involves applying thin, translucent layers of color over a dry base layer. This method allows for greater depth and richness in the painting, creating realistic shadows and highlights.

I start with a raw umber dark and burnt sienna mixture to capture the dog’s mid-tone fur. Because the light source in the reference photo comes from the upper left, it then carefully preserves the lighter areas of the fur, particularly around the eyes and face, where light naturally hits.

The glazes are applied gradually, starting with the darker tones. At this stage, the painting remains translucent, allowing the sketch underneath to remain visible. This gives the artist flexibility in refining the painting as more layers are added.

Tip: Use small, controlled brushstrokes to build up texture in the fur, especially around detailed areas like the eyes and snout. With glazing, it’s better to start light and gradually add darker tones for more control.

6. Capturing Light and Shadow

An essential aspect of any realistic portrait is understanding how light and shadow play across the subject. In this dog portrait, I also emphasize the contrast between light and dark areas, particularly around the face and fur.

By preserving the highlights where light hits the fur, and gradually building up the shadows with darker glazes, you create a sense of depth and form. I use a cooler tone in the shadows (mixing more ultramarine blue into the brown), which balances the warmth of the highlights.

Technique Tip: Always pay attention to where the light is coming from in your reference photo, and ensure that the shadows and highlights in your painting match that light source.

7. Maintaining the Sketch’s Detail

As the painting progresses, it’s important not to lose the fine details from the original sketch. I mentioned that the smooth surface of the hardboard helps retain the pencil marks, allowing the initial sketch to serve as a guide throughout the process.

Even as you begin to apply layers of glaze, keeping the sketch’s detail visible ensures that you can adjust the painting as needed.

Tip: Regularly step back from your painting to ensure you maintain the proportions and details established in the sketch. This prevents overworking any section.

The Value of Patience

One of the key takeaways from this tutorial is the importance of patience in building up a pet portrait. The initial stages may feel slow, but they set the foundation for a detailed and lifelike final piece. I stress the need to take your time, especially when layering glazes, as this gradual approach will lead to a more realistic and satisfying portrait.

In conclusion, starting a pet portrait in acrylic requires careful planning, from choosing the right surface and photo reference to applying glazes that bring depth and realism. By following these techniques and tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating beautiful, lifelike portraits that capture the essence of your subject.

Beginning a Pet Portrait in Acrylic

LEARN MORE

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

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

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

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

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

 

Yours for Better Portraits,

Signature_200dpi_sm.jpg

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

 

3 Light Sources to Improve Your Painting

How to Improve Your Painting with 3 Different Light Sources

Enhance realism in your portrait with three essential light sources

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

The Importance of Light in Painting

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

1. Primary Light Source: The Foundation of Your Shading

What is the Primary Light Source?

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

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

Tips for Utilizing the Primary Light Source:

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

2. Secondary Light Source: The Ambient Glow

What is the Secondary Light Source?

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

Techniques for Working with Secondary Light:

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

3. Reflected Light: Adding Warmth and Depth

What is Reflected Light?

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

Techniques for Enhancing Reflected Light:

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

Transitioning Between Light Sources

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

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

Common Mistakes to Avoid

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

Elevate Your Painting with Light Mastery

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

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

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

3 Light Sources to Improve Your Painting

LEARN MORE

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

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

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

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

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

Yours for Better Portraits,

Signature_200dpi_sm.jpg

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

New Painting Course on Shading!

New Painting Course on Shading: Shade like a Master

Learn shading with acrylics: techniques for realistic portraits

Are you struggling with shading in your portrait paintings? Does your artwork lack that three-dimensional look you desire? Look no further in my new “Shade Like a Master” course, which is designed specifically to help artists like you improve their shading techniques and make portraits look convincingly real.

Shading is one of the most critical aspects of achieving realism in portrait painting. It is the process of creating depth, dimension, and form by manipulating light and dark areas. However, without proper guidance, it can be challenging to master. Often, the colors become muddy, or the light and dark values are off, leading to flat or unconvincing results. Because this course aims to take your shading skills to the next level, offering you clear, step-by-step instructions to make shading easier and more effective. Learn my new painting course on shading and shade like a master.

What You Will Learn in This Course

This three-week-long live course will cover the fundamental principles of shading using acrylics and then guide you in implementing these techniques to create more realistic and three-dimensional portraits.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:

  • Week 1 (September 5th): Introduction to Value and Light. Learn how to see light and dark values correctly and how to apply these values to create a realistic sense of form.
  • Week 2 (September 12th): Building Depth with Layers. Understand how to build up your layers in acrylic painting to gradually increase depth and dimension.
  • Week 3 (September 19th): Final Touches. Master the nuances of shading and highlights to bring your portrait to life with subtlety and realism.

The Benefits of Shading Like a Master

However, shading effectively involves placing the correct values (light and dark areas) and colors in the right places, and it can be the difference between a flat painting and one that feels lifelike. But this course is designed to address common shading struggles that artists face, including:

  • Muddy Colors: Learn how to avoid mixing muddy colors and maintain clean transitions between shadows and highlights.
  • Incorrect Values: Understand the importance of values (lightness and darkness) in your painting and how they create the illusion of form.
  • Lack of Depth: Master layering techniques that will bring more depth and dimension to your portraits.

This course offers more than just theoretical knowledge. So as I paint live, you’ll be able to see his thought process and brush techniques in real-time. Then you can apply what you’ve learned in your own projects immediately, making it a hands-on learning experience.

Why Enroll in a Live Course?

While pre-recorded tutorials are useful, there is nothing quite like participating in a live session where you can ask questions, get feedback, and interact with the instructor. During the course, you will have the chance to participate in discussions and ask me a questions about your specific challenges with shading. However, if you can’t make the live sessions, don’t worry—each session will be recorded and available to replay at your convenience.

Course Highlights:

  • Interactive Sessions: Participate in live lessons and ask questions to get direct feedback on your work.
  • On-Demand Access: Rewatch the lessons at your own pace. Even if you miss a session, you can catch up later.
  • Bite-Sized Segments: The course is broken down into manageable lessons, allowing you to focus on the areas where you need the most help.

Tips and Techniques for Shading Like a Master

To give you a sneak peek into what you’ll learn in the course, here are some essential tips and techniques that will help you improve your shading skills with acrylics:

  1. Understand the Light Source: Always identify the main light source in your painting. This will guide where you place highlights and shadows, ensuring consistency and realism.
  2. Build Layers Gradually: Acrylics dry quickly, making them ideal for layering. Begin with broad areas of light and dark, and gradually build up layers of more refined shadows and highlights.
  3. Use Glazing for Smooth Transitions: Glazing involves applying thin layers of translucent paint to create smooth transitions between shadows and highlights. It’s a powerful technique for achieving subtle, lifelike shading.
  4. Value is Key: Pay close attention to the values in your portrait. Start with a grayscale value study to ensure your light and dark areas are correct before adding color.
  5. Keep Colors Clean: Avoid over-mixing your paint, as this can lead to muddy colors. Instead, focus on applying clean, distinct layers of color.
  6. Control Your Edges: Soft edges suggest a gradual change in light, while hard edges emphasize abrupt changes. Use these techniques to control how light falls on your subject and how form is perceived.

Why You Should Join the “Shade Like a Master” Course

This course is ideal for both beginners and intermediate artists who want to enhance their shading techniques. Whether you are new to acrylic portrait painting or have been practicing for years, this course will give you the tools and guidance to take your art to the next level.

You’ll not only learn the technical skills needed for shading, but you’ll also gain the confidence to apply these techniques in your own work. Shading is not just about adding darkness to your painting—it’s about understanding how light works, how to manipulate it, and how to use it to bring your portraits to life.

Learn how to shade effectively in acrylic so that your paintings look realistic here.

LEARN MORE

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

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

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

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

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

Yours for Better Portraits,

Signature_200dpi_sm.jpg

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

 

The Mystery of Realism in Painting

How to Create Realistic Effects: The Mystery of Realism in Painting

Unveiling realism on how to use less detail that creates a greater impact

The Mystery of Realism

Realism is a skill that artists continually strive to master. It’s not simply about replicating every detail of a subject but rather creating a convincing sense of reality through the balance of color, value, and selective detail. In this blog post, I will share how to create realistic effects with the mystery of realism in painting. And then the insights from my latest project—illustrating a book cover for Acts Chapter Five—and reveal the key to unlocking the mystery of realism. Understanding how to create depth and three-dimensionality without overwhelming your painting with unnecessary details is what distinguishes a great portrait artist.

The Importance of Realism in Painting

Realism in painting hinges on two main aspects: color and value. Colors must be placed accurately to reflect light and shadow, creating the illusion of three-dimensionality. However, the trick is not to obsess over minute details but to allow the viewer’s eye to fill in the gaps. This concept becomes especially useful when rendering complex textures like hair or beards.

For example, in my painting of the beggar from Acts Chapter Five, I added hints of white to his beard, not with pure white paint but by using light blue. This subtle touch of color suggests white hair while simultaneously reflecting the environment around the subject, adding a layer of realism. The beard reflects the blue of the sky above, creating an immersive environment in the portrait.

Tip 1: Create Realism Through Implied Detail

One of the most important aspects of achieving realism is knowing when to stop. You don’t need to paint every individual hair or wrinkle. In fact, implying detail can often be more effective than adding it.

In my portrait, I used small dabs of blue rather than painting each individual hair. This approach implies texture and depth without bogging the painting down in unnecessary detail. This principle is what I call the “mystery of realism.” It’s about leaving certain areas unfinished or loosely rendered to let the viewer’s imagination complete the picture.

Tip 2: Mastering Color and Light Reflection

When aiming for realism, color and light reflection play a critical role. Natural light doesn’t just illuminate an object; it reflects onto surfaces around it, affecting the colors and tones. For example, the sky can influence the shades you use, even in parts of the painting where the sky is not visible. In the case of my beggar’s beard, the blue sky above was reflected onto his beard, influencing its color and creating a more cohesive, realistic scene.

By being mindful of how light interacts with surfaces, you can make your paintings appear far more lifelike. This concept is particularly important when working on large, multi-figure compositions or outdoor scenes.

Tip 3: Focus on Abstract Shapes for Realism

When painting realistically, especially in portraiture, it’s easy to get caught up in details like eyes, noses, and mouths. However, it’s often more helpful to break down these complex features into abstract shapes. For example, think of the cheek as a triangle, or a shadow under the nose as an oval. By doing this, you focus on the broader composition of values rather than obsessing over specific details.

In the beggar’s face, I simplified the cheek into a triangular shape, focusing on where the light hits and the shadow falls. This method ensures that your painting maintains its structural integrity while also creating a realistic appearance.

Tip 4: Don’t Overload with Detail—Less Is More

Too much detail can actually detract from realism. When every part of a painting is equally detailed, the composition becomes flat and overwhelming. Instead, it’s crucial to highlight certain focal points and let other areas remain more loosely defined. This selective focus allows the eye to rest on key areas of the painting, adding to the sense of realism.

In my portrait, I focused more on the beggar’s eyes and the highlights of his beard while leaving the surrounding areas, like his clothing, more abstract. This approach draws attention to the most expressive parts of the portrait without cluttering the overall composition.

Technique Breakdown: Shading with Purpose

In realism, shading plays a major role in achieving depth and dimension. However, it’s not about randomly applying shadows. You need to think about where the light source is and how it interacts with your subject. When shading the beggar’s beard, for instance, I kept in mind that parts of the beard are in shadow, meaning they reflect less direct light and pick up more ambient colors, like the blue of the sky.

By deliberately placing darker values in certain areas and lighter values in others, I was able to create the illusion of volume and thickness in the beard without painting every hair individually.

Embrace the Mystery of Realism

The key to realism in painting isn’t in capturing every detail but rather in knowing what to leave out. This selective use of detail allows for a more immersive and convincing piece. By focusing on color, light reflection, and abstract shapes, you can create realistic effects that captivate the viewer’s eye without overwhelming them.

As I continue working on my Acts Chapter Five book cover, I find that the “mystery of realism” comes down to one thing: implying more than you state outright. This balance between precision and suggestion allows your work to come to life in a truly three-dimensional way.

Tips:

  1. Imply, Don’t State – Leave out unnecessary details and allow the viewer’s imagination to fill in the gaps.
  2. Focus on Light Reflection – Be mindful of how light interacts with your subject and reflects colors in unexpected places.
  3. Simplify Shapes – Break down complex features into simple geometric shapes to maintain composition and structure.
  4. Less Is More – Avoid over-detailing to prevent your painting from looking flat and cluttered.

With these tips in mind, you can unlock the mystery of realism in your painting and achieve a more profound sense of depth and believability.

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

LEARN MORE

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

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

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

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

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

Yours for Better Portraits,

Signature_200dpi_sm.jpg

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

 

Basic Shading

How to Shade Better With 2 Basic Component of Shading

Elevate your shading skills by understanding light sources and shadows

Shading is an essential technique that transforms a simple drawing into a more dimensional and realistic piece of art. So to truly master shading, it’s important to understand its basic components: the light source and the object or surface. These two key elements form the foundation of all shading techniques, and when applied correctly, they can significantly improve the realism of your drawings.

In this guide, we’ll explore these core components and provide you with actionable tips on how to shade better with my 2 basic components of shading.

The Two Fundamental Components of Shading

At its core, shading revolves around two basic elements that work together to create the illusion of depth and form in your drawings:

  1. Light Source
  2. Object or Surface Receiving or Obscuring the Light

1. Understanding the Light Source

To achieve effective shading, then you first need to recognize the light source in your composition. Because this could be anything from natural sunlight to artificial lighting like lamps. So the light sources can vary in intensity, color, and direction, each affecting how shadows and highlights appear on your objects.

In a simple setup, you may have only one light source, but more complex environments might have multiple lights, each influencing the object differently. However, when starting out, it’s best to focus on a single light source to understand how light interacts with surfaces.

Tip: Always decide the position and intensity of your light source before you begin shading. Because a consistent light direction ensures that your shadows and highlights align properly, creating a more convincing effect.

2. The Role of Objects and Surfaces

The second key element in shading is the object or surface that either receives or obscures the light. When light hits an object, it creates two primary effects: highlights where the light strikes directly and shadows where the light is obstructed.

The surface texture and shape of an object also play a vital role in how light behaves. For example, a smooth surface will have more even, subtle shading, while a textured surface will create more varied and intricate shadow patterns.

Technique: To create convincing shadows, then break down complex forms into simple shapes (like spheres or cubes) and imagine how light interacts with each part of the shape.

Types of Shadows: Cast Shadows and Form Shadows

Shadows are a crucial aspect of shading and are divided into two main types:

  1. Cast Shadow
  2. Form Shadow

1. Cast Shadows

A cast shadow occurs when one object blocks the light from reaching another surface. Because this shadow is usually sharper and darker near the base of the object that’s casting it and fades out as it extends farther from the object.

For example, in a simple setup where a ball is illuminated by a single light source, the cast shadow will appear on the surface where the light is blocked by the ball.

Tip: When drawing cast shadows, pay attention to the angle and distance of the light source. A close light will cast a short, sharp shadow, while a distant light will produce a softer, longer shadow.

2. Form Shadows

Hence, the form shadows appear on the object itself, as parts of the surface curve away from the light source. Unlike cast shadows, form shadows are softer and more gradual. And then they give the object a sense of volume and depth.

Using the same example of a ball, the form shadow would appear on the side of the ball that is turned away from the light. So this shadow helps define the roundness of the object.

Technique: To create smooth form shadows, use a gradual transition from light to dark by blending your shading with light strokes. Because this helps avoid harsh lines and gives your drawing a more realistic look.

Creating Realistic Effects Through Contrast

One of the keys to achieving realistic shading is understanding the contrast between light and dark areas. Then, contrast refers to the difference in value (brightness or darkness) between the highlights and shadows in your drawing.

To make your artwork stand out, focus on enhancing this contrast. The sharper the contrast, the more dramatic and realistic the effect will be. However, you don’t want to overdo it. Balancing contrast with subtle transitions between light and dark is essential for a natural look.

Tip: When shading, squint your eyes to simplify the scene and better distinguish between light and dark values. This helps you identify where the darkest shadows and brightest highlights should be placed.

Shading Techniques to Improve Your Skills

Shading is not just about adding shadows; it’s about building layers and adjusting pressure to create depth and texture. Here are a few basic techniques to help you improve your shading:

1. Hatching and Cross-Hatching

Hatching involves drawing closely spaced parallel lines to create value. The more lines you add, the darker the area will become. Cross-hatching takes it a step further by adding a second layer of lines at an angle to the first.

Technique: Use hatching and cross-hatching to gradually build up your shadows, especially in areas where light transitions into shadow.

2. Blending

Blending involves smoothing out the transitions between light and dark by using a blending stump or even your finger. This technique is useful for creating soft form shadows and smooth surfaces.

Tip: Don’t over-blend. Maintaining some texture helps give your drawing character and realism.

3. Layering

Layering is the process of gradually building up shading by applying multiple layers of graphite or charcoal. Start light and slowly darken areas as needed. This technique gives you more control over the final result.

Tip: Avoid heavy, dark strokes right away. Build up the shading slowly to prevent harsh lines and inconsistencies.

Mastering Shading

By understanding the basic components of shading—light source and object—you can begin to create more realistic effects in your artwork. Whether you’re working with pencils, charcoal, or another medium, mastering the use of shadows and highlights will bring your drawings to life.

Start with these fundamentals, practice regularly, and remember: shading is as much about what you leave out as what you put in. By controlling your light sources, refining your shadows, and balancing your contrast, you’ll elevate your shading skills and add depth to your work.

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

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

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

Yours for Better Portraits,

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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!

4 Different Light Source Positions

How to Improve your Portrait: 4 Different Light Source Positions

Enhancing realism with rear light source techniques

Lighting plays a crucial role in creating a captivating and realistic portrait. Understanding how light affects your subject can dramatically improve your work, making your portraits more dynamic and visually appealing. In this post, we’ll explore four different light source positions and how you can use them to enhance your portraits.

The Impact of Light on Portraits

Lighting is one of the most critical elements in creating a realistic portrait. When you master how different light sources affect your subject, it helps you bring depth, dimension, and mood into your artwork. Whether you’re painting from life or a photo reference, understanding the various light positions and their effects on shading and shadows will transform your work. In this post, we’ll explore four essential light source positions: frontal, angled, side, and rear.

1. Frontal Light Source: Soft and Even Illumination

The frontal light source, as the name suggests, comes directly in front of the subject, illuminating the face evenly. This is one of the most common light positions in photography, particularly in flash photography.

Example: Imagine a lamp placed directly in front of a person’s face. This light creates very minimal shadows, illuminating the entire face, with a subtle shadow cast beneath the chin. The effect can flatten out features slightly but still offers a clear, soft look to the portrait.

Advantages:

  • Creates an evenly lit subject, reducing harsh shadows.
  • Suitable for portraits where you want a soft, balanced lighting effect.

Disadvantages:

  • Can flatten out features, losing depth.
  • Reduces contrast, which can make the portrait less dynamic.

Technique Tip: If you want to enhance your portraits with frontal light, use multiple light sources. This will even out the lighting and prevent flatness, allowing for a softer transition between light and shadow.

2. Angled Light Source: Creating Depth and Drama

An angled light source adds a dramatic flair to your portraits by introducing more contrast. The light hits the subject from the side, creating distinct highlights and shadows, which bring depth and dimension to the artwork.

Example: A light coming from the left of the subject will illuminate the left side of the face, while the right side is cast into shadow. The result is a portrait with defined contrasts and a three-dimensional feel.

Advantages:

  • Creates more depth and dimension in your portrait.
  • Highlights specific facial features, making them stand out.

Disadvantages:

  • May create too much contrast if not managed properly.
  • Shadows can obscure important details of the face.

Technique Tip: When using angled lighting, soften the shadows with a secondary light source or a reflector. This will maintain depth without sacrificing detail, especially around key features like the eyes, nose, and mouth.

3. Side Light Source: Emphasizing Textures and Contours

The side light source is similar to angled light but comes directly from the side of the subject, emphasizing contours and textures. This position can be perfect for highlighting the natural textures of skin, hair, and fabric in a portrait.

Example: Light coming from the right side of the subject will illuminate half of the face, while the other half remains in shadow. This can produce a more moody and intense effect.

Advantages:

  • Brings out the texture of the skin and clothing.
  • Perfect for creating strong visual contrast between light and shadow.

Disadvantages:

  • May cast too much of the face in shadow, making the subject look harsh.
  • Can obscure facial features if not used carefully.

Technique Tip: To balance out the heavy shadows created by side lighting, use a soft light or a reflective surface to bounce some light back into the shadowed areas. This helps retain details without compromising the dramatic effect.

4. Rear Light Source: Adding Mystery and Atmosphere

A rear light source is less commonly used, but it can create a mysterious and atmospheric effect by illuminating the subject from behind. This positioning results in a halo-like glow around the subject, with the face mostly in shadow.

Example: A rear light source positioned behind the subject will create a silhouette effect, with strong backlighting outlining the edges of the subject’s head, shoulders, and body.

Advantages:

  • Creates a striking silhouette or halo effect.
  • Adds a sense of mystery or drama to the portrait.

Disadvantages:

  • The face may lose detail, making it hard to capture expressions.
  • Can be challenging to balance with other light sources.

Technique Tip: Use rear lighting in combination with subtle front or side lighting to illuminate the face just enough to capture essential details while keeping the atmospheric backlighting intact.

Tips for Using Different Light Source Positions in Portraits

  1. Experiment with Multiple Sources: Often, combining two or more light sources—such as a frontal light with a rear light—can create a more balanced and interesting portrait. It helps soften shadows while still creating depth and contrast.
  2. Observe the Eyes: The reflection of light in the eyes can give you valuable clues about the direction and strength of the light source. Pay attention to the catchlights (reflections) in the subject’s eyes, as these will indicate the position of the primary light.
  3. Use Reflectors: When working with strong side or angled light, use reflectors to soften the shadows. Reflectors bounce light back into shadowed areas, helping you maintain details and avoid overly harsh contrasts.
  4. Practice with Photos: If you’re unsure which lighting works best, try taking several photos of your subject with different light sources. Analyze how the light falls on the face and experiment with various setups to find the most flattering arrangement.

Mastering Lighting for Portraits

Understanding and controlling light is key to creating captivating portraits. Whether you choose the soft illumination of a frontal light or the dramatic shadows of an angled source, learning how to manipulate light will give your portraits depth, dimension, and emotional impact. By experimenting with different light source positions and refining your technique, you can elevate the realism and artistry in your portrait paintings.

Watch the video below to learn more about the 4 different light source positions (Truncated).

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

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

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

Yours for Better Portraits,

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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!

 

Critique of a Pet Portrait Sketch

How to Critique a Pet Portrait Painting Sketch

 I’ll show you how I give critiques of pet portrait sketches to my student.

When working on a pet portrait painting, critiquing your sketch is a vital part of the process. Whether you’re aiming to depict a Maltese or a mixed-breed dog, evaluating your sketch helps to ensure that your final piece captures the true essence and features of the pet. This article will walk you through a detailed critique process with practical tips to improve your work, especially when portraying the texture, forms, and proportions of a pet’s fur and facial features.

Key Focus Areas in a Pet Portrait Critique

  1. Fur Texture and Detail
  2. Abstract Forms and Shapes
  3. Proportions of the Features
  4. Breaking Down the Sketch Into Sections

1. Analyze Fur Texture for Realism

The first thing to assess when critiquing a pet portrait sketch is the fur texture. Capturing realistic fur is essential to making the portrait resemble the pet you’re painting. If the fur looks flat, you may need to add more detail by observing how the strands of fur interact with the light and shadow in the reference photo.

To enhance the fur texture:

  • Observe how the fur clumps together in certain areas. Look for patterns of light and dark where the fur creates shadows or reflects light.
  • Sketch the fur in sections rather than treating it as one mass. Look at your reference photo and break down the fur into distinct strands, sketching them individually.
  • Use softer, thinner lines to represent fine fur, and more prominent lines for thicker areas of fur.

For example, if the fur on the dog’s head is thicker, you’ll want to draw shorter, more frequent lines, suggesting the texture and fullness. As you progress through the portrait, adding more nuanced strands helps give depth and texture to the sketch.

2. Focus on Abstract Forms Rather than Literal Features

When critiquing, try to see your sketch not as a pet, but as a series of abstract forms. This technique helps you focus on shapes and values, which are more reliable indicators of how the final painting will look.

Here’s how you can shift your mindset to abstract forms:

  • Squint at your reference photo or zoom in on specific sections to see the shapes of light and dark. The fur and features should dissolve into patterns that can be sketched as abstract shapes.
  • Break down sections of the face and fur into squares or triangles. For example, a section of fur might appear as a triangular shape with dark edges, or a shadow around the eyes might form a rounded rectangle.

By thinking of the sketch as a collection of abstract shapes, you’ll become less focused on replicating hair strands and more on capturing the overall light and shadow. This method helps build a more accurate sketch, especially when detail is hard to interpret.

3. Double-Check the Proportions

One of the most common mistakes in pet portraits is getting the proportions slightly off. During your critique, compare your sketch to the reference photo, paying attention to key features like the nose, eyes, and ears.

  • For the nose, make sure it’s not too narrow or too wide. A dog’s nose often forms a rounded triangle, and drawing it slightly off can make the pet look unfamiliar. If your sketch shows a narrow nose, you may need to broaden it and adjust the angles.
  • The eyes are critical. If they are too large or small, the whole portrait may feel disproportionate. Measure the eyes in relation to the head and ensure they are the correct size and placed evenly.

It can be useful to divide the reference photo into a grid and sketch each section individually to keep proportions accurate.

4. Break Down Your Sketch Into Smaller Sections

Critiquing a portrait becomes much easier when you break down the reference image and the sketch into smaller, more manageable sections. Working square by square allows you to focus on individual parts of the portrait rather than feeling overwhelmed by the whole.

  • Divide your canvas or reference image into squares or sections, and focus on replicating each one accurately.
  • Pay attention to the shapes of light and shadow within each square. This method ensures that you capture the most important aspects of the pet’s features, without getting lost in the details.

For example, in a dog’s face, the area around the eyes might form a circular pattern of light and dark. By focusing on these shapes within each section, you can ensure that the overall image comes together cohesively.

Tips for Improving Your Sketch

  • Pay Attention to Details Early On: The more effort you put into your sketch, the easier it will be when you start painting. A detailed sketch provides a solid foundation for the painting process, allowing you to focus on color and texture later.
  • Use the Glazing Technique for Texture: When painting over your sketch, consider using a glazing technique. This method involves applying thin layers of translucent paint, allowing the underlying sketch to show through. It’s particularly effective for painting fur, as you can layer different colors to create depth.
  • Enhance with Opaque Paint: Once you have a solid base with your glazing, you can apply opaque paint to highlight areas such as the fur’s highlights or the reflection in the eyes. These final touches bring the painting to life and give the pet portrait a realistic look.

The Importance of a Good Sketch

Critiquing your pet portrait sketch is essential for producing a realistic and beautiful painting. By focusing on fur texture, abstract shapes, and accurate proportions, you can create a solid foundation for your artwork. Break your reference into manageable sections, and approach your critique with a willingness to adjust and improve.

A well-developed sketch saves you time in the painting process, helping you to produce more accurate and lifelike pet portraits that captivate the viewer.

LEARN MORE

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

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

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

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

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

Yours for Better Portraits,

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

How to Remarque a Canvas Print

How to Remarque your Canvas in Print

Elevating your canvas prints with hand-painted details

Remarque prints allow artists to enhance the beauty of their canvas prints by adding personal, hand-painted details. These added elements create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces of art that surpass the standard reproduction process. In this tutorial, we will explore the step-by-step process of how to remarque your canvas in print, adding contrast, vibrancy, and personal touches to make them stand out as individual works of art.

Understanding the Remarque Process

Remarque is a technique where artists add hand-painted elements on top of a printed canvas, enhancing the piece by restoring contrast and vibrancy that may have been lost during the reproduction process. It allows artists to give each print a unique flair, turning it into its own distinct artwork.

In this example, we will focus on adding highlights, shadows, and color nuances to a limited-edition canvas print, giving it a more detailed, personalized finish.

Step-by-Step Guide to Remarquing Your Canvas

  1. Gather Your Supplies: Before you begin, make sure you have the following materials:
    • A high-quality canvas print. A range of acrylic paints (raw umber dark, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, titanium white, indian yellow, etc.). Satin or matte acrylic medium for blending and sheen matching. A palette and brushes suitable for fine details.
    Having these items at hand ensures that you can effectively add the desired details without disrupting the print’s original look.
  2. Analyze the Print: Take a close look at your canvas print. In this tutorial, the artist used a smaller version of the print as a reference to guide the restoration of contrast and brightness. Identifying areas that need enhancement is critical to avoid overpainting or disrupting the overall design. Focus on restoring parts that lost vibrancy, such as facial features, highlights, and shadows.
  3. Prepare Your Palette: Mix your paints carefully to match the existing colors on the print. In the video, a mixture of white and yellow (specifically indian yellow) was used to add brightness. Keep the colors thin by adding medium, ensuring that the layers will blend seamlessly into the original print.
  4. Begin Adding Details: Start with small, subtle enhancements. In the video, the artist began by restoring highlights on the subject’s face, focusing on areas such as the eye, nose, and hand. These subtle additions help create depth and vibrancy without overpowering the original print.
    • Tip: Use a thinned-down mixture of paint and medium to avoid stark contrasts. Feather the paint onto the canvas lightly to blend it into the surrounding areas.
  5. Restore Contrast: One of the key aspects of remarques is restoring contrast that may have been lost during the printing process. Focus on areas where shadows and highlights should be more pronounced. For instance, in the video, the artist added highlights to the subject’s face, hand, and clothing to bring back the depth of light and shadow.
  6. Enhancing Small Elements: Pay attention to minor details like reflections and highlights. In the tutorial, the artist added small touches to the subject’s eye and flame in a lamp to make them pop. These tiny details, though subtle, make a significant difference in the overall appearance of the canvas.
  7. Match the Sheen of the Canvas: To ensure your painted details blend with the printed surface, use a satin medium. Because this will match the sheen of the print, ensuring that your brushstrokes don’t stand out as overly glossy or dull. Then I used a mix of gloss and satin mediums to achieve the right finish.
  8. Final Touches: Once the major areas have been enhanced, step back and observe the canvas from a distance. Look for any areas that may need additional touch-ups, such as the flame, clothing, or background elements. So, I brightened the flame in the lamp and added luminosity to parts of the subject’s clothing to give the canvas a more vibrant look.
    • Tip: Then, use very light, feathery strokes for small adjustments. In the video, I used short strokes in different directions to achieve a smooth blend.

Why Remarque Your Canvas?

Remarque prints offer several benefits for both artists and collectors:

  • Enhanced Value: By adding personal, hand-painted details, you increase the value of each print. Because, these custom additions make each piece unique, appealing to art collectors looking for something special.
  • Increased Vibrancy and Contrast: Printing can sometimes reduce the contrast and brightness of the original painting. Remarquing allows you to restore those elements, making the piece more vibrant and engaging.
  • Personal Artistic Touch: Remarquing lets artists revisit their work and add new artistic flair. This process makes each print feel more like an original, personalized artwork.

Tips for Successful Remarquing

  • Start Small: Begin with subtle changes before moving on to more dramatic adjustments. This approach helps ensure that you don’t overdo it.
  • Use the Right Medium: So, always match the sheen of the printed canvas with the right medium. In most cases, a satin or matte medium works best to avoid an overly glossy or mismatched finish.
  • Feather Your Strokes: To blend hand-painted details with the existing print, use light, feathery strokes. Thinned-out paint will also help you achieve a more natural look.
  • Monitor Progress: Regularly step back from your work to assess your progress from a distance. This helps you see the overall impact of your additions.

Remarquing a canvas print then allows you to add your personal touch to each piece, transforming a reproduction into a unique work of art. Then, by carefully adding highlights, shadows, and fine details, you can elevate your canvas prints and offer something special to collectors. Whether you’re an artist looking to personalize your prints or an art collector seeking a more vibrant piece, remarques provide an excellent way to enhance canvas prints.

By following the steps in this guide, you can confidently begin adding your own artistic flair to your canvas prints, turning each one into a truly unique masterpiece.

LEARN MORE

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

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

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

Yours for Better Portraits,

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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!

 

Apply A Burnt Sienna Glaze to a Portrait

How to Apply Burnt Sienna Glaze to a Portrait

Creating depth and warmth with burnt sienna glazes step by step guide

Applying glazes to an acrylic portrait is a great way to add depth and unify the different elements of your painting. One versatile color used by many artists for this purpose is burnt sienna. This reddish-brown hue can bring warmth to shadowed areas and smooth transitions between light and dark, creating a cohesive, harmonious effect across your portrait. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to apply a burnt sienna glaze step-by-step, ensuring your painting achieves a professional and balanced look.

What You Will Need

  • Acrylic paints: Burnt sienna, raw umber dark, ultramarine blue
  • Glazing medium
  • 3/4-inch flat brush
  • Small round brush for details
  • Palette for mixing
  • A well-textured canvas

Step 1: Preparing the Surface

Before applying the burnt sienna glaze, ensure that your portrait has established base layers with underlying shadows and highlights. In this example, I have already blocked in key elements using raw umber dark and ultramarine blue to define shadows and add depth. These layers are essential for giving the burnt sienna glaze something to interact with, creating richer tones and a natural flow of colors.

Step 2: Mixing the Burnt Sienna Glaze

Start by placing a small amount of burnt sienna on your palette. Mix it with a glazing medium until it reaches a smooth, transparent consistency. It’s important to blend it thoroughly, similar to mixing ingredients when baking a cake. The medium will help thin out the paint, allowing it to create a subtle wash of color over the portrait without losing the underlying details.

Step 3: Applying the Glaze to the Background

Begin with the background of your portrait. Dip the corner of your flat brush into the glaze mixture and apply it with even, horizontal strokes. As you work across the canvas, maintain a wet edge by moving quickly. Use firm pressure initially to push the paint into the texture of the canvas, and then lighten the pressure as you spread the glaze.

Tip: Turn your brush over to use any extra paint on the reverse side for a more efficient application. Lighten the pressure at the edges to smooth out any overlapping brushstrokes, giving your background a seamless transition.

Step 4: Integrating Burnt Sienna into the Portrait

Now that the background has been glazed, consider introducing burnt sienna into the shadows of the portrait, such as the hair, hands, and facial features. This reddish-brown hue adds warmth and depth to the shaded areas, making them stand out more vividly against the lighter tones.

For the hair, apply the glaze in the darker regions, blending it down towards the chin and neck. If you see this tone occurring naturally in the shadowed areas of the face, lightly glaze over these regions. Always make sure to evaluate where the burnt sienna fits best, as it’s a warm color that may not be suitable for cooler-toned areas like clothing.

Tip: When applying glaze to intricate areas such as hair, use a small round brush to control the precision of the strokes. This ensures the glaze enhances the features without overwhelming them.

Step 5: Enhancing Details with Glaze

A burnt sienna glaze can also enhance smaller details, like the fur of an animal in your portrait or the eyelashes. In this example, the artist finds that the glaze works beautifully within the dog’s fur, adding a touch of warmth. Similarly, in the boy’s facial features, it can accentuate the lips, eyebrows, and even parts of the gums and teeth.

When adding glaze to fine details, switch to a small round brush for more accuracy. This will help you control the flow of paint, allowing you to create more nuanced transitions between light and dark areas.

Step 6: Building Layers for Richer Color

Glazing is a technique that benefits from multiple layers. Once your first layer of burnt sienna glaze is dry, you can assess whether additional layers are needed to achieve your desired effect. Applying thin glazes in layers helps you avoid overloading the painting with too much color at once.

Technique Tip: In areas where the value is already dark, like deep shadows, it’s possible to introduce burnt sienna even further. The artist notes that darker areas can handle more layers because the color builds up gradually without overwhelming the overall tone.

Conversely, for lighter areas, avoid too much glazing as it could darken the value and obscure the highlights.

Step 7: Avoid Overglazing in Cooler Tones

One key consideration when using a warm tone like burnt sienna is to avoid applying it over cooler-toned areas of your portrait. For instance, the boy’s shirt in this example has a cooler undertone. While a small amount of burnt sienna may work in the darker parts of the shirt, applying too much can disturb the cooler color harmony.

Tip: Always take a step back from your portrait to evaluate the overall color balance. Introduce burnt sienna only where it naturally complements the existing colors.

Step 8: Final Touches

Once you’ve applied the burnt sienna glaze to all the necessary areas, assess the overall unity of the portrait. Burnt sienna can be an excellent way to tie together different elements of your painting. The artist uses it subtly within the lips, the dog’s fur, and parts of the background to create a consistent, warm feel throughout the composition.

Before moving on to the next stages of your painting, let the glaze dry fully. Once dry, you can continue building up layers, adding more glazes or opaque colors as needed to refine the portrait.

Tips for Applying Burnt Sienna Glaze:

  1. Use a Glazing Medium: This ensures that the paint remains translucent and allows the underlying layers to shine through.
  2. Keep a Wet Edge: Work quickly and maintain a wet edge while applying the glaze to avoid harsh lines.
  3. Layer Gradually: Apply multiple thin layers of glaze to control the intensity of the color.
  4. Avoid Cooler Areas: Use burnt sienna only in warm-toned areas of the painting to maintain color harmony.
  5. Use Different Brushes: For large areas, a flat brush is ideal. For small details, switch to a round brush for precision.

Tips

Applying a burnt sienna glaze to your portrait can enhance the warmth and depth of your artwork. It’s a versatile color that works well in shadowed areas and ties together various elements in your painting, creating a cohesive, professional finish. By following these steps and tips, you’ll be able to master this glazing technique and take your acrylic portraits to the next level.

LEARN MORE

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

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

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

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

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

Yours for Better Portraits,

Signature_200dpi_sm.jpg

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

 

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