How to paint better portraits

In this post you will learn how to paint better portraits in 3 helpful tips! If you want to learn more about painting portraits from reference, I recommend you take this skillshare class: Paint with Me: Digital Portrait Painting in Procreate by Gabrielle Brickey.

#1–Paint the Basic Shapes First

When you look at a photo, squint your eyes or blur the photo with your software to see the more basic shapes. Start by painting those:

Then, you can gradually start to add more and more detail:

#2–Use Guidelines to Check the Proportions

Add horizontal lines across from the reference image to the painting to make sure your proportions are correct. Do this earlier in the process because it might be harder to change things later.

Add the lines in places like under the nose, under the eye, and in other places:

If the proportions are not accurate, adjust them until they are:

#3–Pick Transition Colors

To pick a transition color, color-pick the lighter color, and then the darker one. Then make a color in between the two.

Spend as much time perfecting the painting as you want!

Chong

25 Jun, 2023