Masterclass Lesson #3 for the Acrylic Portrait Painting Challenge is open!

In this lesson, you will learn how to slowly transition out of the sketch process and into the painting with confidence.

Instead of the typical way of painting—dumping a bunch of paint onto the canvas and hoping something good comes out of it, you will strategically begin your portrait with light, translucent glazing layers.

If you follow the heart of my method, you will not feel like the painting is out of control. You will be guiding the painting to a successful finish, rather the painting taking you and your emotions for a roller-coaster ride.

It takes patience.

So please don’t jump ahead, even though it feels you’re starting so slowly.

You’ll find that once we get the painting moving in the right direction, it will begin to take off, just like a car as it goes into higher gear. Your layers and brushstrokes will get bolder as you hit the midpoint of your painting, like a climax in a good movie or book. You’ll be moving much faster then!

Finally, you’ll slow down again.

You’ll gently add nuances and final touches to bring the portrait home and make it a masterpiece.

In our previous step, I showed you how to sketch your canvas to create a firm foundation for your painting. Not perfect, but accurate.

Now, in this lesson, we will finally get to the painting!

Here’s how to do it:

1. White-out the Grid Lines. Use pure titanium white paint, undiluted, to cover your grid lines, so you don’t see them in the final painting.
2. Seal in the Sketch. Use pure matte medium to seal in your sketch so you can paint over it without messing up your detail work and muddying your paint.
3. Mute the Sketch (Create a toning layer or “ground.”) Make your sketch lines softer and subdued so that you won’t have to work so hard to conceal them with more paint layers later.
4. Prepare Your Palette. Arrange your palette colors for this painting as shown on your Palette Layout Guide (last page of the Welcome Kit) so that all the colors are arranged in such a way so that the ones you need most are closest to you and if they bleed into each other, they won’t muddy each other up.
5. Add the First Glazing Layer. Start very simple with one basic color mixed into matte medium to make a VERY light glaze (semi-transparent/ translucent) concentrating on your darkest value and cool tones at the same time. This is the blocking-in, or underpainting layer, so it doesn’t need to be dark or complicated.

Ready to paint?

Now, before we begin (yes, I have to ask you again, just in case 🙂 )…

Are you registered for the challenge?

If not, register below for FREE and I’ll send you:

• a downloadable/ printable”Welcome Kit” with a Supplies List and a Palette Color Layout Guide.
• high-resolution images of the photo we’ll be painting from for this challenge.
• each new lesson that comes out in this Masterclass series.
• a link to my private Facebook group, where you can do this challenge with other artists, get feedback and help on your portrait, and not feel alone.

REGISTER TODAY. The challenge is ongoing, something you can do at your own pace. It’s not too late to enter!

Watch my in-depth Masterclass acrylic online tutorial below to see these steps in action.

After learning from this video, you’ll know exactly how to do it.

Make sure to watch the ENTIRE video first before diving into the painting. It will be worth it to do that. Then, I’d like you to go back and refer to whatever steps you need to as you paint. That way, you won’t miss any of the instruction and tips that will help you make this portrait your very best.

Here’s the video…

[PORTRAIT CHALLENGE] Masterclass Lesson #3: Beginning Your Portrait Painting Lightly and Confidently

Moving Forward…

The largest challenge of the glazing technique is overcoming the tendency to go dark and thick with your paint. But if you stick with this, even beyond this portrait, you’ll find the technique “clicking” and you’ll understand how it can help you to create a painting with incredible luminosity, smooth shading, depth, and detail.

In other words, a portrait that will “wow” others and you’ll feel proud to have created. And even more, a portrait you can give as a gift,  hang on your wall (or someone else’s) and will be enjoyed for years to come.

There you have it! Now you know exactly how to begin your portrait lightly, and confidently. The next step is to build up depth with more glazes and see the amazing portrait fade in, slowly materialize before your eyes.

I’ll see you in our next class! Until then be blessed in your painting and may God guide your every brushstroke!

Yours for Better Portraits,

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Let me know if you have any questions about the challenge that I didn’t answer. Leave your question in the comments below and I’ll get back to you!