Learning to draw a portrait from a photo is better in black and white. Print the photo in black and white, it is advisable to print the photo in the size that you plan to make the drawing, but this is not necessary. After you have printed the photo, draw it into equal squares measuring 3x3 cm, try to draw with even parallel lines! Use a ruler.
Next, draw a sheet of paper or cardboard into squares of the same size, in case you want to draw a portrait of the same size as the original photo. If your format is larger (as in the photo), then draw the sheet into larger squares, for example 4x4 cm, but the number of squares must match. Next, number all the squares in the photo and on a blank sheet in the same order.
(to the first photo) We start to make a pencil sketch, here you will start using squares, do not try to redraw the whole picture in general. Look at each square as a separate picture and copy the main lines, the numbers will help you navigate the drawing.
It is best to work on a vertical inclined plane, for example, on an easel, but if this is not possible, then it is possible on a horizontal one, in which case try to move away from the drawing from time to time and look at it from afar, it is easier to see perspective errors.
At the sketch stage, you do not need to draw small details, pay attention to the main components of the drawing and copy them as accurately as possible. Work with an HB or 2HB medium hard pencil. Try not to stain the paper with numerous erasing of the pencil, then the paint will lie flat.
(to the second photo) Let's move on to working with paints. To work with acrylic, you do not need a lot of water, it is needed in the same amount as when working with gouache. Prepare brushes of different sizes, the wider the choice, the better, but even 2-3 brushes are enough. First, mark for yourself the darkest places and the lightest areas, paint over them, as shown in the figure. Next, start softening the transitions from white to black.
(to 3 photos) Carefully watch the change in hue in the photo and complement it, then work on the lips, eyes and nose with small brushes. Be patient, do not start drawing for more than an hour without a break. If you made a mistake and made the wrong stroke, then wait until the paint is completely dry and apply the desired layer on top, acrylic covers the previous tone well, even dark. When dry, acrylic remains the same color as when applied, it does not fade like gouache, keep this in mind when applying the tone. Do not overdo it with water otherwise the picture will “leak”. Acrylic washes off hands with water, but not very well, so try not to get too dirty.
If you dream of learning how to paint a portrait in watercolor, but are afraid that you will not succeed, first put aside your fears and start reading this article. Here are simple and clear guidelines that will help you pick up your brushes and paints and start creating.
What materials will be needed
Before you start painting a portrait in watercolor, you will need to prepare the necessary materials for this:
preliminary work
2. Now we begin to paint a portrait in watercolor. And the first thing that will need to be done is to apply a light, transparent underpainting to the paper with paints. For the face, we dilute cadmium orange or ocher with water (the paint should be very watery, pale). We paint over the face with wide strokes, in place of the glare, the paper should remain untouched. Then we select other colors and brush through the hair and clothes, also leaving the lightest places untouched.
3. Now you need to do the eyes and lips. What eye color does your model have? Choose the right paint, dilute it with water to a pale state and paint over the iris of the eyes in the portrait. Do the same with the drawing of the lips.
4. We apply shadows on the face. To do this, we add a little burnt sienna to our diluted pale cadmium or ocher. Shadows at this stage should also be applied very lightly, not at full strength. In fact, they should only slightly differ in tone from the first paint layer. Please note that therefore you need to monitor the shades that are reflected on the skin of the model's face. For example, on the one hand, warm light from red curtains can fall on the face, glare from clothes of cold tones can be reflected on the chin, etc. This must be taken into account and try to display in the portrait using additional colors.
5. Next, we begin to understand the shadows more carefully. We are looking for the darkest places on the cheekbones, on the lips, on the sides and wings of the nose, near the hair, etc. It is with the help of shadows that the face is modeled, volume is given to it. The main principle in working with watercolor is to always move from a lighter tone to a darker one.
6. We are looking for the lightest intermediate tones between shadow and light. On the face, where the light falls on it, there are also darker and lighter places. We follow the play of light and try to repeat it on paper.
7. We work with hair and clothes on the same principle as with the face.
8. At the final stage of work on the portrait, you need to take the thinnest brush and use it to finish small details and lines: individual strands of hair, eyelashes, lip line. Always remember that when working with watercolor, even in the darkest places, the paint should remain transparent.
9. Work on the background is best done in parallel with the entire portrait, but you can leave this for later. The main thing is that the background should not be worked out more than the face, but negligence is also inappropriate here.
Conclusion
We hope you have learned in general terms how to paint a portrait in watercolor. Well, now it's up to practice, because only direct work with will give you self-confidence, as well as the necessary experience and skill. Creative success to you!
Instruction
Make a sketch. If you are going to paint a portrait in watercolor, acrylic or gouache, you can draw a sketch with a simple pencil. Before working in color, the pencil lines will need to be made lighter with an eraser. If you prefer tempera or oil paints, you will have to start the painting with an underpainting. Make a sketch on a separate sheet, calculate the proportions of a person. Transfer these calculations to paper or canvas.
Make the underpainting for a tempera portrait with a shade of tempera, which is in all elements of the picture. The shade should be light, so that later it can be strengthened or covered. For underpainting it will be more convenient to do with acrylic paints. Mark the main shapes of the figure and apply a drop shadow.
The way you work in color depends on the paint you have chosen. If it is watercolor, diluted acrylic or gouache, you need to paint over the drawing with wide fills. Start with areas of the body that are not covered by clothing. Determine the lightest shade that is visible on the skin. Mix the same in the palette. Try to immediately mix in enough paint so that it is enough for the drawing and you do not have to re-select the combination of colors.
Then create a shade of shadows on the skin. With a wide brush, spread the first color over the pattern. When it dries a little, apply shadow patches. Pour the person's clothes in the same way. After that, paint the face using smaller brushes. Do not draw the face to the end, just apply the main shade and penumbra on the cheeks, temples, chin, next to the bridge of the nose.
Take thin brushes and draw all the penumbra and your own shadows on the torso and head of a person. At the same time, it is important not only to convey the shape of the body, but also to take into account the change in shades of both clothing and skin. They affect the coloring of each other, so on a red shirt, for example, the blue of the trousers will be noticeable in the shadows. And on the face there will be a warm reddish reflex from the shirt.
To make the drawing come alive, do not forget about the glare. They do not always appear on the skin, but on the hair and eyes it is imperative to leave an unpainted area of white paper.
When working with tempera, you will not have to create large fills, but work “from a piece”. That is, with small strokes, completely draw one area and only after that move on to the next. If you are painting a person with oil paints, pay attention to the degree of transparency of the shades that you are going to mix. This information is on the packaging of the paint. This is especially important when choosing a skin color - if you mix a transparent paint with a opaque, the color will turn out to be heavy, unnatural.
Thinking about an inexpensive but creative gift? I have a solution for this problem. I suggest you make a watercolor portrait with your own hands. Don't be afraid, it's not difficult, you just need to try a little.
Those who have already read my previous article on pastel portraits are already familiar with the grid drawing method. In this lesson, I will continue to talk about this technique further. The essence of this method is to draw an image by cells.
First we create a grid on top of the image. I use Photoshop for this purpose, but other image editors will do. Photo taken from Facebook. Any photo will do, even low quality.
After turning on the grid in the program, draw it on paper. The size of my cells is 0.5 * 0.5 centimeters.
Having drawn the grid, you can start sketching with a pencil. Concentrate your attention only on a single cell. The most important thing is to keep the proportions. The grid helps you draw even the most complex face elements. By connecting the lines in the cells, we easily get, for example, an ear.
I really like this drawing technique, as I often draw friends and family members. In my drawings, I always focus on the eyes, because it is the look of people that is best remembered.
You've probably figured out by now that a grid makes it easier to maintain proportions.
Surely you have a question. Is it possible to draw a photo in a different way? Yes. Use carbon paper. However, you will need a printed photo. Place carbon paper between plain paper and photograph. Then circle on the photo all the contours that will be copied onto paper.
Now it's time to ink the rough lines of your image.
I used a black fountain pen, the ink of which does not get wet when liquid gets on it. You don't have to use the same pen, as long as the ink is waterproof.
We outline only the contours with a pen. We will then paint over the dark areas with watercolors.
Here is what you should have at this stage.
When the ink dries, we begin to erase the cells.
Now you can start painting with watercolors. For convenience, remove the grid from the original photo. This way you can see the colors more clearly. It is very convenient to work with watercolor, as it is possible to mix different paints. The most important rule when painting with watercolors is to start with the light areas of the image. If anything, then you can make the color darker at any time, but vice versa will not work.
I suggest painting the dark areas last. So you are less likely to mix dark shades with light ones. However, wait until the light colors are completely dry before proceeding to the black ones.
You should get something similar. I really like those blue eyes.
If you have any questions about this lesson, write questions in the comments. I wish you success! Remember Mother's Day is right around the corner. Your mom will definitely love this handmade portrait.
An interesting alternative to high-end oil paintings is a custom acrylic portrait made by our artists. Acrylic paints are used in various styles of fine art. Thanks to this, it is easy to choose an interesting and unique plot for the picture in accordance with your taste and wishes. We paint with acrylics on canvas and paper. Each order - from the pencil sketch to the last strokes - is made entirely by hand!
How much does an acrylic portrait on canvas and paper cost?
Prices for a portrait made with acrylic paints are based on 1-2 people.
Each additional person + 10% of the cost.
Acrylic (canvas)
Acrylic (canvas)
Acrylic
How to order an acrylic portrait from a photo?
Each of our orders begins with a discussion of the composition of your future painting. You can tell us about your idea or send any image as an example. If you do not have any of your wishes, then our artists will prepare interesting and creative layouts. As a result, you will receive an exclusive acrylic portrait, in which all your ideas and wishes will be embodied.
We offer acrylic works of two options:
Portrait on paper:
- preparation of a visual layout of the future picture before writing,
- You order a portrait completely handmade,
- the finished work can be corrected if you have any wishes and additions,
- the maximum similarity
- image realism.
Acrylic portrait on canvas:
(in addition to the above)
- more time is spent, due to which details are more carefully prescribed,
- the possibility of applying a 3D effect (visible paint structure),
- the possibility of covering the sides of the canvas with paint,
- the possibility of using a canvas on a flat basis.
What to choose: acrylic or oil portrait
In addition to acrylic work, we also Classic oil paintings are visually similar to acrylics, however, they have some pros and cons that distinguish them in appearance and price.
The advantage of works painted in acrylic is less pronounced than oil paintings in the classical technique. Acrylic paints are thinned with water, which allows them to dry very quickly, almost instantly. Due to this, the artist will complete the order in a very short time, which meets the requirements of most customers. After all, we often think about choosing a gift for an anniversary, a new year, or for any other reason just before the holiday. In addition, the cost of an acrylic painting is much lower than that of an oil painting.
If your expectations are very high and the deadlines are limited, then acrylic paint portraits on canvas are what you need. We offer the speed of creating a picture, rich colors, interesting visual effects, durability and guarantee a photographic likeness of the face.
