Critique 3 Acrylic Portraits From My Painting Challenge!

Learn from my critique of three acrylic portrait paintings – key insights and practical tips for improving your portraits.

Welcome to another insightful painting critique session! In this blog post, we’ll dive into the world of acrylic portraiture by reviewing three submissions from my Acrylic Portrait Painting Challenge. These critiques offer a practical learning experience for artists looking to refine their portraits. Whether you’re struggling with details, skin tones, or lighting, this session is filled with tips that can help you elevate your work. Let’s explore these critique 3 acrylic portrait from my painting challenge and discover ways to improve accuracy, contrast, and overall realism in your portraits.

The Value of Critiquing Your Work

As artists, we can often hit a wall with our paintings. You may feel that something is “off” but struggle to identify what needs improvement. This is where having a professional critique can make all the difference. As a commissioned portrait artist with over 20 years of experience, I provide in-depth critiques for my students. In this session, I will review three selected paintings from the Acrylic Portrait Painting Challenge participants, offering constructive feedback and detailed guidance.

Portrait 1: Karen Campbell’s Portrait

The first critique features Karen Campbell’s painting. Karen has done an outstanding job capturing the likeness and form of the subject. Let’s break down her work and explore what works well, as well as areas that could use improvement. [Please watch the video below]

1.1 Composition and Form

One of the first things I examine in a critique is the composition and form. Karen’s composition is spot-on, largely due to her use of the grid technique. The spacing between the eyes, nose, and mouth is accurate, which gives her portrait a solid foundation. Always ensure that your subject fills the canvas appropriately and that proportions are in check.

1.2 Lighting and Contrast

Next, I assess the lighting. Good lighting is key to creating depth and dimensionality in a portrait. Karen’s portrait shows strong lighting with excellent contrast between darks and lights. However, there are some areas where the contrast is a bit too sharp, especially around the eyes and eyebrows. For example, the highlight on the upper eyelid is too bright, making it appear unnatural. The solution is to soften the contrast by glazing over the highlights using a mixture of burnt sienna, raw sienna, and alizarine crimson.

Tip: Use subtle gradations in value to avoid harsh lines between light and shadow. Glazing is an effective method to soften transitions.

1.3 Skin Tones and Texture

Karen has done a commendable job with skin tones. However, some areas are slightly overworked, making the texture appear too detailed. Realism in portrait painting often relies on suggesting detail rather than rendering every feature with precision. In this case, the wrinkles and shadows near the eyebrows are emphasized too much, making the portrait look harsher than the reference photo. A lighter touch with the brush, and more glazing to blend tones, would soften the portrait and give it a more natural appearance.

Technique: Glaze over exaggerated areas with raw umber mixed with titanium white and ultramarine blue to cool down overly warm tones and smooth out harsh transitions.

Portrait 2: Enhancing Realism with Subtle Adjustments

The second portrait brings attention to value transitions and color balance. The artist in this case struggled slightly with maintaining the subtleties of skin tone and light transitions. [Please watch the video below]

2.1 Adjusting Shadows for Depth

In portraiture, shadows are critical for creating depth. In this painting, the shadows are too stark in certain areas, particularly around the nose and the lower part of the face. The contrast between light and shadow must be more gradual. One effective way to fix this is by layering thin glazes to gradually darken the shadow areas while maintaining a soft, natural look.

Tip: To create soft, realistic shadows, use thin glazes of raw umber mixed with titanium white. Apply in layers until the desired shadow depth is achieved.

2.2 The Importance of Warm and Cool Tones

Another area for improvement is the balance between warm and cool tones. The portrait uses too much warm color in places that should feel cooler, such as the shadows beneath the eyes and along the jawline. Introducing cooler tones, like ultramarine blue or phthalo blue mixed with raw sienna, can create a more natural appearance.

Technique: Mix cool tones like ultramarine blue with earth tones like raw umber to balance warmth in shadows.

Portrait 3: Focus on Eyes – The Window to the Soul

In the final critique, the focus will be on the eyes, which are often referred to as the “windows to the soul.” A common mistake in portrait painting is over-defining the eyes, which can make them look unnatural. In this case, the artist has done a wonderful job capturing the overall structure of the eyes but has overemphasized certain details. [Please watch the video below]

3.1 Simplifying Eye Details for Realism

When painting eyes, less is often more. The artist in this case has drawn every eyelash and wrinkle, which detracts from the overall realism. By softening these details and focusing on the larger shapes and reflections, the eyes will feel more lifelike.

Tip: Focus on the larger forms of the eyes first. Use smaller brushes and fewer strokes to suggest detail rather than over-rendering it.

3.2 Reflections and Highlights

The reflection in the eye is another critical area that needs subtle treatment. If the reflection is too bright, it can give the eyes a “glassy” appearance. In this portrait, the highlight is too intense. I recommend using a glaze of raw sienna and alizarine crimson to soften the brightness and bring balance to the overall light values.

Key Takeaways from the Critique

The critiques in this session highlighted key areas that all portrait artists should focus on: form, lighting, value transitions, skin tones, and detail management. Through subtle adjustments, such as refining contrast or balancing warm and cool tones, you can significantly improve the realism in your acrylic portraits. Remember, the goal is to imply detail where necessary and use glazes to soften transitions between light and shadow.

By implementing these tips and techniques, you’ll be able to take your portrait painting skills to the next level. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, critiques like these offer valuable insights into improving your work. If you want more personalized feedback, consider joining my Acrylic Portrait Painting Challenge for exclusive critiques and lessons.

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

LEARN MORE

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

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

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

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

Yours for Better Portraits,

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

How to Paint Earrings in Your Acrylic Portrait

Learn the technique of painting realistic earrings in acrylic portraits with these easy steps

Introduction

Adding realistic details to an acrylic portrait, such as earrings, can elevate the overall quality and depth of your artwork. Painting jewelry is not just about adding a couple of dabs of paint it involves understanding the placement of highlights, shadows, and creating a smooth transition between the elements. In this tutorial, you will learn how to paint earrings in your acrylic portrait using highlights, shadows, and glazing techniques. By the end of this guide, you will have the confidence to create lifelike jewelry that complements your portraits.

Materials Needed:

Titanium White
Indian Yellow
Raw Umber Dark
Ultramarine Blue
Alizarine Crimson
Round Brush (size 2)
Palette and water

Step 1: Mix Your Colors for the Base Layer

Before starting, gather your reference photo to ensure accurate lighting and color representation. In this case, a frontal flash photo was used, which plays an essential role in determining the highlights and shadows on the earring.

Begin by selecting a size 2 round brush, which is ideal for detail work. Mix titanium white with a small amount of indian yellow. The goal is to create a lighter, warm gray tone, which will serve as the base for the earring. Apply this mixture gently over the earring area, covering a significant portion to build the foundation.

Step 2: Apply a Mid-Tone Glaze

Once the base layer dries, the next step is to create a mid-tone glaze. This technique helps to integrate the light and shadow, giving the earring a more natural appearance. For the mid-tone, blend raw umber dark with the existing base mix (titanium white and Indian yellow).

Carefully apply the glaze in thin layers over the base, making sure not to overpower the light areas. Glazing provides depth and softens the transitions between different values.

Pro Tip: Ensure your glaze layers are thin and translucent. This allows the previous layers to show through, adding subtle complexity to the jewelry.

Step 3: Add Highlights

Now that the mid-tone glaze is in place, it’s time to highlight the earring to create a realistic metallic sheen. Go back to your titanium white and use a fine detail brush to apply small dabs of white on the areas where the light hits directly.

When positioning the highlights, consider the source of light from your reference photo. In this example, the highlights were placed on the upper part of the earring. You can zoom in on your reference photo to get a more precise understanding of where the light falls.

Pro Tip: It’s okay to let the highlight exceed the boundaries of the metal slightly. This will give the earring a more convincing, three-dimensional look, as if the light is reflecting beyond the earring’s surface.

Step 4: Refine the Shadows

Once the highlights are in place, the shadows are crucial to enhance the depth and make the earring stand out. Mix ultramarine blue with a touch of alizarine crimson to create a deep shadow color. This shadow should be applied under the earring where it meets the skin or the hair, depending on the reference photo.

For this step, lightly glaze the darker tones just under the highlighted areas. This step contrasts with the highlight, making the metal of the earring more vibrant and realistic. The shadow will cast a thin, dark line directly adjacent to the bright highlight, creating a striking effect.

Pro Tip: The transition between light and shadow should be smooth. Use a very small amount of paint and blend gently with your brush for a seamless look.

Step 5: Refine and Contrast the Background

To make the earring pop even more, darken the background or surrounding areas. In this case, the artist chose to slightly darken the subject’s sweater in the painting. Adding contrast around the earring helps it stand out against the background and draws the viewer’s eye to the details of the portrait.

Mix raw umber dark with ultramarine blue and lightly apply it to the background behind the earring. This subtle adjustment can enhance the overall composition and emphasize the earring’s presence in the portrait.

Final Thoughts: Evaluate and Adjust

Step back from your painting to assess the overall effect. Are the highlights and shadows properly placed? Is the earring standing out as a focal point in the portrait? Make small adjustments as needed to ensure that the earring looks natural and harmonious within the context of the entire painting.

A well-painted earring should not only be realistic but should also complement the portrait as a whole. Jewelry can bring elegance and detail to your acrylic portrait, and by following these techniques, you can ensure that it adds a professional touch to your work.

Tips and Techniques Recap:

Use Thin Glazes: Build up layers slowly with thin glazes to add depth and softness to the transitions between light and shadow.
Highlight Placement: Highlights should be carefully positioned according to the light source. Letting the highlight slightly exceed the boundaries adds realism.
Smooth Transitions: Blending is key. Use a soft brush to smooth transitions between different tones, especially between the shadows and highlights.
Contrasting the Background: Slightly darkening the surrounding area, such as the subject’s clothing or background, helps to make the earring pop.
Evaluate and Adjust: After each layer, step back to evaluate the overall look. Make minor adjustments to perfect the balance of light, shadow, and detail.

Conclusion

Painting earrings in your acrylic portrait may seem like a small detail, but it can significantly impact the realism and professionalism of your artwork. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can master the art of painting jewelry in a way that complements your portrait and adds a subtle yet powerful finishing touch.

For more tips and detailed acrylic portrait tutorials, visit realisticacrylic.com. Happy painting!

LEARN MORE

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

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

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

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

Yours for Better Portraits,

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

How to Paint Realistic Reflections on Eyes in Your Acrylic Portrait

Eyes are the most important feature of an acrylic portrait. When you paint the eyes correctly, everything else seems to fall into place so much easier.

In this video, I’ll show you how to paint realistic reflections, using two complementary colors in addition to white, and getting the shape of the reflection just right. Then this originally was a BONUS video in the Acrylic Portrait Painting Challenge Master Class, now available in the All-Access Membership at Realistic Acrylic Portrait School.

Even though it is technically over, you can take the Acrylic Portrait Painting Challenge (it’s FREE!) and paint along with us! 8 master class lessons are posted to help you paint a portrait you can be proud of!

REGISTER TODAY. The challenge is ongoing, something you can do at your own pace. It’s not too late to enter! After you join, I’ll send you the supplies list and reference photos to paint from.

Category Archives for Portrait Painting Challenge

Learn from my critique of three acrylic portrait paintings – key insights and practical tips for improving your portraits.

The Value of Critiquing Your Work

Portrait 1: Karen Campbell’s Portrait

1.1 Composition and Form

1.2 Lighting and Contrast

1.3 Skin Tones and Texture

Portrait 2: Enhancing Realism with Subtle Adjustments

2.1 Adjusting Shadows for Depth

2.2 The Importance of Warm and Cool Tones

Portrait 3: Focus on Eyes – The Window to the Soul

3.1 Simplifying Eye Details for Realism

3.2 Reflections and Highlights

Key Takeaways from the Critique

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. It’ll greatly help you.

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

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,

Learn the technique of painting realistic earrings in acrylic portraits with these easy steps

Introduction

Materials Needed:

Step 1: Mix Your Colors for the Base Layer

Step 2: Apply a Mid-Tone Glaze

Step 3: Add Highlights

Step 4: Refine the Shadows

Step 5: Refine and Contrast the Background

Final Thoughts: Evaluate and Adjust

Tips and Techniques Recap:

Conclusion

Eyes are the most important feature of an acrylic portrait. When you paint the eyes correctly, everything else seems to fall into place so much easier.

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