Painting the Portrait With A Full Palette

Learn to create well-structured portrait paintings with convincing colors.

We will begin by discussing comparative measuring, to get accurate proportions in the underpainting. Then we will move to color and concentrate on big form modeling, then defining the planes of the face and features, and finally glazing to fine-tune the details.

Please download the attached files, which include handouts that describe the drawing of the features, a supplies list, a full palette handout, as well as my source photo, which you can work from if you would like.

Upon completion of this class you will have a portrait painting which you are proud of.

We will utilize warm and cool lighting to achieve dynamic colors, giving a contemporary feeling to portraits painted with traditional techniques. You will learn how to achieve a better likeness as well as how to paint convincing African American flesh tones.

The beginner will learn fundamental principles such as how to mix colors and render form modeling. The more advanced student will discover how to take their work to the next level and achieve the finish that they desire.

Check out my other classes:

Portrait Painting from a Photo: Underpainting (part 1)

Portrait Painting from a Photo: Color (part 2)

Portrait Painting with a Full Palette

Glazing and other Paint Application Techniques

Composition in Art

How to Paint a Baby in Oils

Painting the Portrait in Profile

How to Paint the Flesh Tones

Contemporary Portrait Painting

Painting the Eye

Drawing Facial Expressions: Determined Eyes

• Portrait Painting: Introduction
• Portrait Painting: Comparative Measuring
• Portrait Painting: Underpainting
• Portrait Painting: How to Mix Any Color
• Portrait Painting: Color Lay In
• Portrait Painting: Big Form Modeling
• Portrait Painting: Describing the Features
• Portrait Painting: Finishing Touches