Being able to capture the likeness of a human being on canvas, using paint, is certainly a sought after accomplishment for many new painters. It can also be somewhat challenging. This article will cover some of the more basic portrait painting tips & techniques and help lessen some of the confusion many beginners face. With practice, you will soon be painting portraits like the masters.

If at all possible, I highly recommend you paint your portraits using a live model as opposed to a photograph. There is simply no substitution for painting from life.

Painting a successful portrait is all about how you observe the subject. You want to study the subject as a whole. Study the bone structure and try to see shapes and planes. Do not try and paint every little detail exactly as you see it.

For beginners, it is probably best to start out with a lighting effect where light and shadow are in high contrast. This will make for a much easier painting.

Focus on one section at a time. Finish each section before moving on to the next.

Keep the darks of your portrait at a thin consistency while your lights should be painted on thickly.

Many beginners struggle with mixing flesh tones. I know I did when I first started painting. Remember that skin comes in a variety of colors & textures, so there is no specific formula for mixing flesh tones in portrait painting. You will have to experiment and practice, until you find the right color mixtures for any particular subject. Never purchase any pre-mixed flesh colors. When mixing your colors be careful not to over mix, which can deaden a color.

Try and repeat the colors and values in your painting to create balance.

When painting hair, don’t try and paint every individual strand of hair. Look at the hair as one object and then paint the lights and darks. Paint the hair in the direction of the shape of the head.

The muzzle area of the face (the space between the nose and mouth) is generally the same color as the flesh but cooler.

When painting backgrounds, don’t make them too detailed or busy. If you do, you will draw focus away from your portrait.

Add bits of color where the shadow meets the light in your portraits.

Fleshier parts of the face are generally warm and bonier parts of the face, like the chin for instance, are generally cool in color.

The white in the eye is not white. To get an accurate color for the white in the eye you can take the subjects basic flesh color and then lighten it with a gray made from black and white.

I hope these portrait painting tips & techniques have helped. Portrait painting can be difficult, possibly even frustrating in the beginning. Never give up and keep practicing. You will get the hang of it.

Emotion first, logic second. A marketing fact: Consumers are emotional beings who make purchasing decisions based on feelings. Logic, in the
end may be used only to justify what one likes. Successful photographic portrait studios over the years have recognized that they were in the “emotion business.” Portrait photographers captured emotion; and when needed, took the time to create emotion. The portrait selling process emphasized how the photographer captured emotions unique to each client and how their portraits would be enjoyed for decades to come.

A good receptionist asked the necessary fact finding questions to determine what made the subject unique. When done properly, such
information was invaluable in the camera room. Simple words or phrases elicited genuine smiles and that all important sparkle in the eye. The person’s true self (soul) was then captured. With the aide of a proof book, each client enthusiastically engaged in the “show and tell” process proudly showing their images to friends and relatives. Word of mouth combined with the visual aspect of proof books was a sure way to build business. The subject’s enthusiasm blended well with the selling process. Portrait sitting averages were commonly high because wall portraits were usually ordered. That was the way it was.

Today, digital photography has created a new culture based on “speed” which has led to far too many “turn style” studios. As a result, those photographers in many cases may have lost sight of what portrait photography with emotion is all about. Low sitting averages are not always attributed to the economy. Missing the heart in the camera room can often lead to minimal orders, plus making the selling process very difficult.

Many times, relying on the “8×10 package” formula saves the day, but the profitable wall portrait and frame sale then becomes more of a rarity. In the end, each subject (senior) or family may become a clone of all other sessions: lacking in soul.

Also, when one is forced to become a technician and software specialist overnight, losing sight of the emotional aspects of good portraiture can easily happen to the best of photographers. A good photo lab can easily take on the “technology” burden to free up valuable time needed in the camera room where revenue is actually generated.

Ignoring the heart results in lost revenue. Losing sight of the fact that the lens must be “shooting for the heart” can be detrimental to the livelihood of any studio. Simply stated: A professional portrait photographer must connect with the subject whether an adult, senior or baby. The photographer’s persona and personality are also crucial and critical factors to a successful and profitable photo studio, but only when combined with the ability to elicit emotions from the subject. This combination will 9 out of 10 times produce more revenue. And this process can be totally natural and need not be staged. Emotions do matter when building or maintaining a successful studio. Good portraiture capturing the true essence of the human being is still in demand.