How to Paint Lion and Soldier: Glazing Technique & Tips

Learn the acrylic glazing technique to create depth and luminosity in your portraits.

In the realm of acrylic painting, capturing depth and luminosity can elevate your artwork to a new level. Today, we delve into a symbolic and inspirational piece: a 16×20 acrylic on canvas depicting a lion and a soldier. This painting, inspired by the concept of divine guidance and protection, uses the glazing technique to achieve its captivating effect.

The acrylic glazing technique is a powerful technique that has revolutionized the way artists approach acrylic portrait painting. By layering translucent washes of color over a base layer, artists can achieve a depth and luminosity that bring their subjects to life. This method is particularly effective in creating inspiring works such as a Lion and a Soldier, where the interplay of light and shadow can evoke powerful emotions.

Understanding Acrylic Glazing

Acrylic glazing involves applying thin, transparent layers of paint to a dried layer of acrylic. Each layer modifies the color and tone of the underlying layers, allowing artists to build complex, rich hues without the muddiness that can result from mixing colors directly on the palette. The technique requires patience and precision, as each layer must dry completely before the next is applied.

The Concept Behind the Painting

The painting titled “He Goes Ahead of Us” is based on a verse from Deuteronomy, illustrating how divine guidance leads and protects through life’s battles. The lion symbolizes strength and leadership, while the soldier represents our active role in facing life’s challenges. This powerful imagery is brought to life using acrylic paints and the glazing technique.

Materials Needed

Before diving into the process, gather the following materials:

• Canvas (16×20)
• Acrylic paints (raw umber, burnt sienna, raw sienna, phthalo blue, ultramarine blue, alizarine crimson, naphthol red, organic orange, Indian yellow, titanium white)
• Matte medium
• Brushes (various sizes)
• Palette
• Reference photo

Steps to Achieve Acrylic Glazing

1. Prepare Your Canvas: Start with a clean, primed canvas. Apply an underpainting if desired, using opaque colors to establish the basic composition and values.
2. Mix the Glaze: Combine your chosen acrylic color with a glazing medium to achieve the desired transparency. The ratio of paint to medium can be adjusted based on the effect you want to achieve.
3. Apply the Glaze: Using a soft brush, apply the glaze in thin, even layers. Allow each layer to dry completely before adding the next. The drying time will vary depending on the thickness of the glaze and environmental conditions.
4. Build Up Layers: Continue adding layers of glaze, gradually building up the color intensity and depth. Pay attention to the interplay of light and shadow, which enhances the three-dimensionality of your subject.
5. Final Touches: Once you have achieved the desired effect, add any final details or highlights. Use opaque paints sparingly to avoid disrupting the transparency of the glazes.

Mastering Acrylic Portrait Painting

Acrylic portrait painting benefits immensely from the glazing technique. Portraits require a nuanced approach to capture the subtleties of skin tones, facial features, and expressions. Glazing allows artists to create realistic and lifelike portraits with a sense of depth and dimension.

Key Techniques for Acrylic Portraits

1. Underpainting: Start with a monochromatic underpainting to establish the basic values and shapes. This serves as a foundation for the subsequent layers.
2. Layering: Use glazing to build up the skin tones gradually. Begin with lighter, more transparent  layers, and gradually increase the opacity in the darker areas.
3. Blending: Acrylics dry quickly, which can make blending challenging. Use glazing to create smooth transitions between colors and tones.
4. Details: Add fine details such as hair, eyes, and textures using a combination of glazing and opaque painting techniques. Use a fine brush for precision.
5. Highlights and Shadows: Emphasize the highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the portrait. Glazing allows for subtle adjustments and refinements.

Inspirational Acrylic Painting of a Lion and Soldier

Combining the majestic presence of a lion with the strength and bravery of a soldier creates a powerful and inspirational image. The acrylic glazing technique is particularly suited for capturing the contrasting textures and emotions of such a subject.

Composition and Planning

1. Conceptualize: Begin by conceptualizing the composition. Decide on the pose, background, and overall mood of the painting. Sketch out your ideas on paper.
2. Reference Materials: Gather reference photos of lions and soldiers. Pay attention to the details of their features, textures, and expressions.
3. Composition: Plan the composition on your canvas. Consider the placement of the lion and the soldier, ensuring a balanced and harmonious arrangement.

Painting Process

1. Underpainting: Start with a detailed underpainting. Use earthy tones for the lion and neutral tones for the soldier. Establish the basic shapes and values.
2. Layering and Glazing: Begin applying glazes to build up the colors and textures. For the lion, use a combination of warm browns, oranges, and yellows to capture the fur. For the soldier, use cooler tones such as blues, greens, and grays.
3. Textures: Pay attention to the textures of the lion’s mane and the soldier’s uniform. Use glazing to create a sense of depth and realism.
4. Details: Add fine details such as the lion’s whiskers, the soldier’s facial features, and any other intricate elements. Use a combination of glazing and opaque painting for precision.
5. Background: Create a background that complements the subjects. Use glazing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
6. Final Touches: Add any final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall impact of the painting. Ensure that the glazes are smooth and evenly applied.

Watch the full video below

The acrylic glazing technique is a versatile and powerful method that can elevate acrylic portrait paintings to new levels of realism and depth. By mastering this technique, artists can create inspiring and impactful works, such as a painting of a lion and a soldier, that resonate with viewers on an emotional level. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, incorporating glazing into your acrylic painting practice can open up new possibilities and enhance your artistic expression.

LEARN MORE

•  Sketching Your Painting Accurately
• Beginning a Pet Portrait in Acrylic
• The Mystery of Realism in Painting
• Apply A Burnt Sienna Glaze to a Portrait
• Learn How to Sketch a Portrait Freehand in 45 Minutes
• 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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