How to paint an oil portrait docx

How to paint an oil portrait




I use flax based canvas. The final size is 40 x 50 cm. For each step, I take about 30 to 60
minutes, so I do a portrait in about 5 to 8 hours average.

Step 1
First I draw in pencil on the canvas.


Step 2
Then I add the first highlights flesh color.


Step 3
Then entour these highlights with darker flesh color.


Step 4
And again, darker.


Step 5
Now add the darker details, sépia color or black. Ad the eye balls details, darker shadows
from the lips.


Step 6

This step: add color to the lips. Not too heavy, add shine, pure white color, apply the
green color to the iris.


Step 7
Now, all colors are more or less applied, it´s time to start to blend with soft brush.


Step 8
And blend


Step 9
Apply details to the eye lashes, add highlights and blend more, do the nose shadows.


Step 10
Face is almost done, now apply the neck shadow and start the hair.


Step 11
Now apply flesh color to the rest of the body.


Step 12
Do the hair shadows, start the dress, almost same color as dress (sépia = van dyke
Brown).


Step 13

Finish the dress, blend the flesh on the body with soft brush.


Step 14
Start the background. Not too heavy color… mix the colors used with a bit of cobalto
blue. Makes a soft green/grey that will highlight her green eyes.


Step 15
Finish the hair details and add other details.


Step 16
Now paint the nails (not too heavy…), paint the jewelery and the fleece.
DONE!

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