Portrait painting - one of the most difficulttrends in art. To write a portrait in oil on canvas, you need to understand the human anatomy, to be able to respect the proportions. Work with oil paints has its own characteristics and only at first glance it seems easy. However, if you have the desire and zeal, even a newcomer to painting can make a wonderful gift to a loved one - a self-written portrait.
Tips for beginners
To understand how to draw an oil portrait oncanvas, for beginners, there are many benefits and video tutorials. For successful work, it is important to know certain rules of oil painting techniques and portrait features.
When writing a sketch immediately on the canvas workonly experienced artists who, in case of error, can easily correct the situation with paint. Beginners should better work on the form of a picture on a cardboard sheet, where they can, without fear of spoiling the canvas, achieve the desired image. Ready sketch transferred to the canvas.
The soil is selected dim colors shouldavoid too dark shades. Paint is better to use high-quality, well-known brand. It is necessary to add thinner only when it is really necessary. A new coat of paint should be applied to the rather dry, but not completely dried bottom layer.
To draw a good portrait, you needstudy the proportions of a human face and practice as much as possible. One of the main conditions for successful work is the absence of fear of spoiling the canvas, writing a bad portrait, etc. Courage in improvisation and self-confidence will help to quickly achieve the desired result.
Preparation for work
Before you start work, you need to prepare all the necessary tools. To write a portrait you will need:
- a person who agrees to pose for a portrait;
- a photograph, if a portrait is painted in oil on a canvas from a photo;
- canvas, which should be pre-primed with a special tool;
- charcoal or pencil for writing a sketch;
- paint chosen in advance for writing a portrait;
- turpentine for breeding paints;
- brushes.
Before you start working, it is important to carefullyanalyze the colors and shades of the face of a model, examine its features. You should also consider the general background of the picture and its color scheme, determine the light and perspective. Best of all, when the image is thought out in advance, and not yet started to work, the artist already imagines the mood of the painting.
If there are no suitable candidates for the models, you can always write a self-portrait using a mirror. To see themselves from different angles, use several mirrors.
Stages of work
The first thing to start is building.compositions. By building it, you can use various techniques: symmetrical and asymmetrical lines, contrasts of colors and shapes, repeat those or other elements. Do not forget about the future. This will help make the portrait in oil on canvas more lively and voluminous. There is a linear and aerial perspective. The first is built when working directly with the image. Air - while working with paints, chiaroscuro.
After building the composition, you can directlygo to the picture. First, they study the lines of the shoulder girdle, and then proceed to the definition of the main lines of the head. There are standard proportions, reference points and lines for constructing the shape of the head.
Work with paints is the final stage atwriting a portrait. The paints are applied in several layers. The first layer is called podmalevok. For underpainting 2-3 tones are usually used. With the help of color and tone the space of the picture is broken. Next begins the glaze. Forms are gradually refined and worked out in detail.
Basic rules on how to paint an oil portrait on canvas
Sketch writing is the basis of all work onportrait. Usually, coal or pencil is used to sketch oil paints. When working with primed canvas is used coal, as it is easier to erase.
It is important to correctly determine the color of the face and hair, sohow the whole color scheme of the work will depend on it. Start writing from the area of the face that is best understood. Making podmalevok, first proceed to the largest plane. After the study of large objects proceed to the details. White is used minimally, achieving the desired color by diluting dark colors with light but different shades.
A finished portrait in oil on canvas shouldconvey the beauty of nature. The study of all the details is not a sign of completion. The main task is to transfer the mood and character of the image, but not the complete identity of the appearance.
How to draw an oil portrait on canvas from a photo
To write a portrait from a photo, betteruse a high-quality image, which shows all the nuances. Before you begin, you must carefully study the photograph: the position of the human head, the proportions and features of the face.
The stages of creating a portrait from the photo are exactly the sameas with nature. But when working with photography has its own characteristics. The image in the photograph is flat and does not convey the whole range of colors of the face. Due to the nature of the flash on the face of a person, a lot of glare may appear in the photo, which will significantly complicate the work on the drawing.
For writing a portrait is better to usestudio photos or several copies from a different angle. You should avoid copying photos exactly, try to feel and portray the character, the nature of the person in the photo.
Attend master classes
You can learn how to paint in oil on canvas withthrough various workshops, which are held both live and online. By attending a master class, you should carefully prepare, choose an artist from whom you would like to take lessons.
Master classes in painting allow livesee the whole process of creating a portrait, get acquainted with new techniques. At the same time, it should be remembered that thoughtless repetition for a leading master class by an artist is unlikely to teach something new. In order for the lessons to be effective, you need not only to choose an experienced and talented artist, but also to try to comprehend the techniques and techniques shown to them.
