How to paint a realistic portrait using acrylic paint

Using acrylic paint for portraits is a match made in heaven! Learn how to create the ultimate retro portrait with this easy step-by-step tutorial. Follow me on Insty: / fieldey and sign-up to my MadSkillz MasterClub newsletter: www.fieldey.com/madskillz-mast... and get ready to take your art to the next level!
See the product list and buy online here: a.co/9lYVqrv
Acrylic paint sometimes has a bad reputation for being difficult to use, but with a few key techniques you'll be able to harness it's quick drying times to create vibrant portraits.
I'll be discussing how to start in the "ugly" stages with a quick application of block colours, and then show how the painting progresses with more refined layers. I'll also be demonstrating how glazing medium can be used to correct colours and boost shadows and highlights in the finished piece.
The model for this piece is Tamara, and you can find her on instagram: / thevintagehourglass and the reference photo was taken by Matt Fieldes Photography: / mattfieldes_photog
This video description contains an affiliate link to Amazon, meaning that if you buy any of the products mentioned above, at no extra cost to you, I get a small commission for the sale which helps me keep on making rad tutorials!

[@prettynoose8497]

Her 'ugly stage' still looks pretty good, lol

[@FieldeyTV]

Hahaha! They all look pretty crap until it starts to come together ;)

[@paulknight9757]

this is the best tutorial on youtube for constructive advise, after spending months looking, not like most that just want to use tutorials to demonstrait their skill, thank you

[@McZachary28if]

Thanks for the baking paper idea.

[@mallorydykes6483]

Zachary Taylor is baking paper just parchment paper??

[@nc5909]

First ever tutorial I’ve watched without fast forwarding or clicking off. Fabulous! Thank you!

[@joy0953]

before you add those outline, it looks like those vintage illustration painting. But after you add those outline, it has this pop comic vibes on it

[@240clay98]

I actually thought the painting looked quite beautiful before the outlines were added. The outlines just ruined it.

[@Jo-kh1yo]

@@240clay98 Beauty is in the eye of the beholder as they say! :)

[@KAVIEL]

Thank you for sharing your techniques in such an easy to digest format. I learned everything I wanted to know from this tutorial. Looking forward to seeing more from you!

[@FieldeyTV]

Want know which products and colours I used for this tutorial? I've combined them all in a handy Amazon list here: a.co/9lYVqrv This is an affiliate link to Amazon, meaning that if you buy any of the products mentioned above, at no extra cost to you, I get a small commission for the sale which helps me keep on making rad tutorials!

[@izzy6062]

Fieldey TV: Art & Tutorials Do u ever outline in white???😊

[@codysmith5693]

Really really good tutorial for painting portraits. Includes more explanations than other videos I could find.

[@laurenlentini917]

This is the FIRST acrylic painting tutorial that makes me WANT to use acrylic paint. Thank you!!!

[@Raielly97]

It’s incredible the way you do that, you really have a talent!!

[@dylanmagnus5267]

I kept trying to find a good portrait tutorial, and I must say, yours is by far the best. Good job (:

[@stuartmacinnes8992]

Brilliant initial photograph of a beautiful subject and of course the picture is fantastic , love it.

[@lindarobinson5816]

Wow! you make it look so easy! fabulous!

[@shalahboballa]

I love everything you do. Thank you so much for taking the time to create these videos and show others your techniques. It's very much appreciated 😊😊😊

[@FieldeyTV]

Awwww! Thank you!! And your comment is very much appreciated too! It's so good to know these vids are helping!

[@evamarie412]

Really love the baking paper idea, it works so well! Also using glazing for tinting and shadows is so much easier than trying to apply new layers with acrylics, thank for the tutorial and great tips!

[@FieldeyTV]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@savannahtipton4688]

Wow! The skin tone glazing was so subtle and pretty! Not an artist, so never seen that or even knew you could do that. Keep up the good work!

[@orlamdc]

Fabulous. You are a superb painter. Love your quirky style

[@nancyreactss]

I love your style! Thanks for sharing!

[@jjamppong001]

I love your artwork!

[@zaynkataw83]

great tutorial. i love how you explained everything briefly

[@tmo164]

Rad as always!

[@judithscull5419]

Thank you. Wanted to see the inks used over acrylic paints and you did that!

[@ellep3742]

I'm such a perfectionist and I hate that good paintings require and "ugly" stage 😂

[@FieldeyTV]

Hahaha! I know right? So depressing! I like to take a photo at the ugly stage and take another when it's complete so I can remind myself that the ugly stage is never permanent.

[@lisethomas2009]

I believe it's a ugly stage to those on the sidelines. For me as the artist I know what direction it's going. That's one reason why I don't draw in front of people, that doesn't know the process of creating art.

[@MarlaCalandra]

@@lisethomas2009 excellent reply! you are so spot on about that -I agree with you

[@svetlanabanana7890]

I'm the same way 🤣

[@Ladyne77]

Same! Sometimes it can really suck to be an artist with OCD, Borderline PD, and BiP, because that ugly stage is my nemesis. I have so many unfinished paintings because most times, when I hit that stage, I get too frustrated and put it aside. Then I start something new. Sometimes, I'll work on 4 or 5 pieces at the same time, alternating them when I hit frustration stages. But occasionally, I can virtually see that ugly stage blossom into perfection in my mind. I'm confident in my artistic flow to get me there, so I keep going. I recently discovered that I'm manic when that happens. Some people commit random acts of violence or murder in their mania. I, however, complete art pieces. 🤷‍♀️

[@gildanl7402]

Wonderful! I love it! From Mexico!

[@tructrungbo]

Thank you for the inspiration, you have mad skills!

[@LindaMcRae42]

Wow, awesome tutorial and portrait. Love it...just learning, what fun.

[@ErikaLancasterArt]

I love your work!! Wow!!

[@cynthiaburris6127]

Officially addicted to your videos!!!

[@anzbatman2297]

Awesome piece. Thanks for sharing

[@pirittacollanius5818]

first time i se your work and i love it! i love also how u explaine what u do! i just started to draw and paint so im learning a lot here. 😊 thank you!❤

[@FieldeyTV]

That's great to hear! If you know other people who this would help, feel free to share!

[@Sowlev1]

Great video. I love painting faces and I always like learning new techniques.

[@marcosgarza8766]

FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!

[@koleyw932]

Really professional, wish I could paint so quickly and confidently.

[@SimplyAlteringMaterials]

This was a fantastic tutorial and would love to see more like this! The painting turned out amazing, great job!!! 😎👍

[@FieldeyTV]

Thanks! If you've got any ideas in particular just let me know!

[@joelrivera3964]

Love your process!!

[@FieldeyTV]

Thank you so much!

[@Jpickle555]

oh my gosh, this is so amazing!!

[@blackangel1194]

thanks so much! I am doing a project and have never been taught to paint, my art teacher didn't really teach us much.. this helped me so much! and I got a really good percent xx thank youu!!!

[@claudiovillarreal6750]

Hola soy Claudio de Argentina felicitaciones es hermoso este retrato!!!

[@MrBlackdog35]

I think your video are great an your one one hell of an artist. truly inspirational.

[@FieldeyTV]

Thanks mate! Appreciate the comment :)

[@YaricoTV]

Omg that was amazing! Thank you for this wonderful video!

[@ellu...]

Really beautiful💙 and very helpful

[@Callendergirl6]

Love it!

[@Bemmy564]

Love it, you are very talented

[@zsuzsannavarga9370]

I really enjoyed watching your tutorial you are very talented great work thank you to share with us

[@juliek7650]

You have a beautiful talent!!

[@karinzaniaayu6851]

Nice tutorial n nice artwork.. 😍😍

[@reginaldosouza9601]

acho muito lindo sua pinturas

[@ramongarcia1641]

As always Great job on the portrait!

[@FieldeyTV]

Thank you very much Ramon!

[@9c39tanayapatil5]

I too love painting. 🤗

[@Boobarexoxo]

Amazing 😍😍😍

[@stevenskadal]

Wonderful tutorial!

[@monizoe3188]

That was awesome! Thank you

[@volkerracho3904]

wow..., this is really, really awesome!!!

[@gift2say]

great! Thank you for your tutorial.

[@peterwade1234]

amazing great helpful hints and tips. look forward to putting this to practice.

[@FieldeyTV]

I hope they helped and you're getting stuck into some serious painting business!

[@WandaMartingaga]

Marvelous... thanks

[@Hanna-mg3ym]

I love this! Thank youuuu

[@CandisiaCreations]

I love this

[@calabashqueen]

Holy Moly This is AMAZING!

[@FieldeyTV]

Thank you!

[@raythelildoggo3966]

thank you for sharing and doing these tutorials!

[@FieldeyTV]

No worries! Thank you for commenting!

[@dillwiggle2]

Great tutorial !

[@SammyJayJay]

.. i liked it better without the thick outlines you added at the end.

[@yana2218]

She said it’s her style

[@Grimoire6666]

Super helpful thanks so much!

[@JulijeJelaska]

Looks great! ;) Good job.

[@jennyfurrgoesrawr]

Omg I love it you explained everything so well

[@FieldeyTV]

Thank you!!

[@yeye6980]

I always had trouble with painting. I just hated shading and highlighting and mixing. But now I think I'll give it another shot, your work turned out awesome.

[@FieldeyTV]

I hear you! I started out with drawing not painting, and I found acrylics really frustrating and annoying. Like anything, with a bit of dedicated practice you'll be enjoying the hell outta them in no time.

[@weirdalski3352]

Thank you for your tutorial! I didn't know about glazing medium till now 😁

[@FieldeyTV]

It's great stuff!

[@stephaniesumpter4802]

this was soooo helpful for me thank you!

[@FieldeyTV]

Yay!! I'm stoked it helped!

[@mattiei1485]

You're so talented, it is actually amazing what you do!!!!! 😂😂

[@mcqueenartistry2.0]

Just came across your channel. Thank you so much for the tips. I definitely subbed. Look forward to watching more of your videos.

[@FieldeyTV]

Thanks mate! Good to have you on board!

[@MrSlowmotives]

fieldey how many hours total did you put into that particular painting and how many hours on average do you put into your paintings on a canvas...

[@FieldeyTV]

Um... I think this took a day and a half? It really depends on how much detail and how 'realistic' I want to make it... in general, maybe 2 - 3 days of painting?

[@aldosamrahayaan1880]

amazing!

[@artjamie]

Pheww this helps me a lot, thank you! I just subscribed! Hope you made more of this. I love you already sis.

[@FieldeyTV]

Thanks for subscribing! X

[@roughlyEnforcing]

THANKS YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ! I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR "THIS" VIDEO.

[@OnlineCollegeofArtandDesign]

beautiful!

[@bensart2128]

Thank you this was very helpful

[@ArielMariceli]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ best & most helpful

[@jamiewheeler7843]

Very helpful, thanks

[@kyleiwalker3603]

ok this was amazing

[@oscarlau8301]

Amazing

[@justinstapp8854]

that is beautiful artwork and your color choices really make this nice! quite a while I remember seeing this video and I think watched half or better in search for something more at my level then..but now it's come back around like videos do, and so now I think I want to challenge myself to give it a try!😊

[@FieldeyTV]

For sure! Give it a go - all it takes is practice, practice, practice!

[@adamstephenson9011]

great video! thanks

[@Mangosareunderrated]

Thank you!!!!

[@tamermohammed7802]

Very very wonderful

[@davidrios310]

you are amazing!

[@MukeshBhamoriya]

It's very helpful for me

[@katiecallsit]

Beautiful 💖🙂💖

[@arohimittal3050]

You painted the eyes so well!!! and the lips!!! I always struggle with the lips TwT

[@mauriciofigueiredopinto5451]

Beautifull

[@jcost0099]

Thanks!! ... your tips are fun and easy to watch, now comes the work. lol

[@dudepersonvids]

It's a matter of taste, but I actually really liked this right before the outlines were finished. I have done a lot of photography and some digital painting, but this is a really useful tutorial as I get ready to do my first acrylic painting!

[@FieldeyTV]

I kinda agree - I ended up removing some of the outlines at the end

[@josienunnally3470]

My best friend is my very first commission and I’m so nervous to do a portrait because it’s not my strong suit but I truly believe I can do it! I doubt myself but this video made it seem more do-able and less intimidating, THANK YOU💗

[@ShampooWow]

Nice video! I like it

[@larisavelica4077]

Thank you

[@febisetiawan6261]

amazing

[@mikenino9670]

Pretty good.

[@johnmagee5010]

Wonderful

[@maydn1700]

beautiful...........................

[@spicybagels1187]

thank you for this tutorial it seems really good :) my papa died in December from liver cancer and he and my mum was really close- it tore her apart, her birthday is coming up soon and i knew in the first place i was gonna paint her something and i’m gonna attempt to paint papa. i already have painting skills but i’ve never painted a realistic person. wish me luck guys 🥺🥲

[@FieldeyTV]

Good luck! That is such a beautiful present - I know you'll do your papa justice and your mum will love it. I think if you paint from the heart and try to capture the essence of him you can't go wrong.

[@k47p]

What type of canvas would you recommend? I have a slightly textures/grainy canvas, would that be suitable? This video is really helpful, thanks!