How to Easily Transition from a Sketch to a Painting

Building the foundation of why contrast and form matter more than color initially

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.

The Importance of Contrast in Your Painting

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.

Step 1: Preparing Your Glaze

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.

Step 2: Start by Darkening Large Areas

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.

Step 3: Achieving Smooth Transitions with Your Brush Strokes

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.

Step 4: Building Form and Detail Gradually

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.

Step 5: Avoiding Common Mistakes in Glazing

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.

Tips for Using Glazing to Enhance Your Painting

• Use Matte Medium for Control: Always mix your paint with matte medium to control the transparency of your glaze. Matte medium allows for smoother application and prevents the paint from becoming too thick.
• Build Layers Slowly: Glazing is a gradual process. Apply thin layers and allow each one to dry before adding the next. This approach helps prevent muddiness and ensures each layer enhances the one beneath it.
• Maintain a Wet Edge: As you work, make sure to keep your paint edge wet. This technique allows for smoother blending and prevents harsh lines from forming between different areas.
• Alternate Brush Strokes: Use a combination of horizontal and vertical brush strokes to achieve even blending. This technique ensures that the glaze applies smoothly and evenly.

Elevating Your Sketch into a 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!

LEARN MORE

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

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

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

 

Yours for Better Portraits,

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