Portraits - How to Draw & Paint - Discover Techniques for Approaching Formal Paintings

Oct 13, 2026

Upload by Patrick

Discover techniques for approaching formal portraits through lighting the subject, working from life, achieving accurate proportions, and capturing a likeness. Guidance spans tools and materials such as easels, supports, primers, canvases, and painting essentials, with clear instruction on selecting appropriate equipment and preparing surfaces. Painting portraits is presented as a demanding, compelling craft focused on rendering people’s shapes, personalities, and stories with practical, step-by-step methods.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

Tools and Material

Working from Photographs

Drawing Basics

Painting Children’s Portraits: Meredith

Painting Children’s Portraits: Carter

Striking a Pose

Painting Basics

Colour Basics

Official and Group Portraits

Lighting

Know Your Subject

Unique Portraits

Working from Life

Posthumous Portraits

HOW TO Portraits DRAW & PAINT Discover techniques for approaching formal paintings Lighting the subject ■ Working from lifeAchieving accurate proportions ■ Capturing a likeness B Y T I M O T H Y C H A M B E R S Walter Foster Publishing eernting go yurs.dfa The books in the How to Draw&Paint series feature progressive visual demonstrations,expert advice,and easy-to-understand step-by-step lessons that teach beginning artists how to create beautiful artwork in a variety of media.In thiscomprehensive series,professional artists share their expertise on everything from setting up a studio and selecting tools andmaterials to tips,tricks,and techniques for rendering an assortment of interesting and engaging subjects.Organised into sixcategories,these helpful guides provide a wealth of knowledge and insight into the wonderful world of quality art instruction. Portraits "Portraiture is the king of art,"my father would tell me now and then during the years I spent dreaming of being an artist. Being a sought-afterillustrator and a portrait artist himself, he knew that there is no more difficult subject to paint. I welcomed the challenge. Certainly painting landscapes, marine and wildlife, still lifes,and other genres are challenging. But these are nothing like the portrait. There is no subject more fascinating,more elusive,or more captivating than people.We come in all shapes and sizes,and with an infinite variety and depth of personalities, stories,and characters that lie behind the eyes. My goal is to introduce you to the essence of what makes a great portrait,as well as offer practical tips along the way. If you’ve painted portraits and desire to truly capture your subjects, you know that there is always more than meets the eye. The tips in this book will elevate your portraits to a richer level. Let's get started!- Timothy Chambers CON TENT S Tools and Material………………………………………………………………2WorkingfromPhotographs.……………………14 Drawing Basics……………………………………………………………………4PaintingChildren’sPortraits:Meredith.………………16 Painting Basics…………………………………………………………………6PaintingChildren’sPortraits:Carter……………20 Striking a Pose……………………………………………………………………………………………24 Colour Basics……………………………………………………………………………………………………………8 Official and Group Portraits………………………………………………………………25 Lighting…………………………………………………………………………………………………10 Know Your Subject………………………………………………………………………………11 Unique Portraits…………………………………………………………………………………………26 Working from Life……………………………………………………………12PosthumousPortraits.…………………28 116 6ooe aanduauiat Painting in general is a challenge,and I believe painting portraits is thegreatest of challenges.As a portraitist,you don't want anything working against you,especiallyyour tools.Inferior tools hinder any work,and painting is no exception.Your brush or paletteknife should be an extension of your hand,and it should allow the ideas in your mind to flowunimpeded to your canvas.Your workspace or studio is also important,as it's where you'll bespending most of your time.Create a workspace where you'll be able to paint for a few hours ata time without distraction. EASELS My life-sized paintings require larger canvases,which in turn require a solid,secure,upright easel.Theeasel can be wall-mounted or freestanding.My favourite easel allows me to raise or lower the canvas.Forpainting on site,such as outdoors or in a client's home or ofice,I use a portable easel.◀French Easel◀LightThis all-in-oneStudio Easeleasel has threeI use a few lighteradjustable-lengtheasels like this onelegs that fold upfor smaller worksinto a box.Thisand for viewingbox,which carriesmy referencelike a verticalphotographs while painting.Ifyou are briefcase,also holds painting materials handy or know of someone who is, and canvas. you can easily make this type ofeasel at home. SUPPORTS AND PRIMER Primer A primer acts as a barrier between the supportand the paint.I prepare unprimed(raw)surfaces witht

FAQs

What does this book focus on when painting portraits?

It focuses on techniques for approaching formal paintings of people, including lighting, accurate proportions, and capturing a likeness.

Why does the book emphasize tools and materials?

It explains that inferior tools hinder the work, and that brushes, easels, supports, and primers directly affect control, stability, and the painting surface.

How should an artist prepare a painting surface?

The book describes priming as a barrier between support and paint, using multiple coats of gesso, including sanding for a stable and smooth surface.

Oct 13, 2026

Upload by Patrick