How to Paint The Planes of the Head

In this portrait painting tutorial, realist painter Alex Tzavaras shows you to paint the planes of the head.
In portraiture, the term "plane" refers to a change in direction on the surface of the head. As the head turns towards or away from a light source, there will be a change in tonal value from light to dark. So whenever we try to creat the 3D appearance of the head when oil painting, being able to identify the different planes of the face and head is very important. It's also essential for achieving a painterly appearance in your work, by painting each plane with bold separate brushstrokes.
Alex Tzavaras is a contemporary realist artist offering portrait painting and alla prima oil painting tutorials. Alex teaches the traditional painting techniques artists used to draw and paint from life up until the start of the 20th century.
For Alex's course on the fundamentals of oil painting visit:
/ simplifydrawingandpain...
Or connect with Alex:
/ alex_tzavaras
/ simplifydrawingandpain...
/ alextzavaras
alextzavaras.com

[@RobertF-]

When a subject is in full light without large shadows, look for highlights on the corner of planes. Thanks, I'm going to remember that one.

[@wcouch8]

I learned not to blend for shading, but rather create the values with the paint. TY

[@denisebrazell1912]

I'll never look at a face again, without thinking of the planes of the face. Well done, Alex, thank you.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Denise. Glad it was helpful.

[@tkarcher940]

Brilliant. Where were you 40 years ago when I needed this?!

[@magnusandersson2495]

Seen the first type of demo several times, but the second demo pinpointed and answered struggles I've had! Super job!

[@Elaine-tk7nx]

Such a useful video, Alex. I love the way in the 2nd example especially the image emerges when initially I could not identify where the features were. I'm going to practise!

[@omarmega4093]

i love you for the low contrast portrait advices.

[@Ana-ql4bp]

this helped me a lot understand the planes of the human face and head. thank you

[@donaldburrow791]

A well done demonstration of concepts central to ways of seeing the head in portrait painting. Great one.

[@warrenc1829]

I wish my finished paintings looked a quarter as good as Alex’s block-ins! I was waiting for the lovely reflected light on the jawline in the first demo, though.

[@RobbieAllenArtist]

I'm learning a lot from just a couple of your videos that I've watched so far. Thanks!

[@6drk6mrc6]

I was looking for some tips for even-lighted scenarios. Really appreciate it thank you.

[@annabizaro-doo-dah]

I can't believe the best art tutor on you tube teaches just down the road to me! All your lessons are very booked up, unsurprisingly!!!

[@rumblef1sh]

Without a doubt one of THE best painters on youtube! Fantastic, informative stuff.

[@isaaccruz6021]

Absolutely amazing

[@odedonn3912]

Great demo Alex. Very helpful teaching as to how to build the planes of the head and how to use values for that. Cheers from Tel Aviv

[@someones_daughter_]

I'm so happy this video exists. I always come back to it after a long time of not having time to paint

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you! I'm glad you find it helpful.

[@lcarolc03]

Extremely helpful demonstrating how to deal with very few shadows. I work mostly from photos which are usually devoid of strong shadows. I’ve never known any clear way to handle it. THANK YOU SO MUCH !

[@migalito1955]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing and producing the example.

[@fbpliegorrivero8869]

This is a brilliant description of the head. Thanks Alex Tz

[@simbarashewashaya633]

such a great teacher and artist. beautiful style

[@virginiaburgerlago]

Alex I really love your tutorials and you helped me tremendously with a few of my challenges. I will continue following you and always looking forward to another video . Regards

[@_.blue._]

So thankful to have found this channel. You have such helpful and informative content; I appreciate your work!

[@mojopiment4836]

The Big One! Superbe, Merci beaucoup....Greetings from France

[@joseluisderivera465]

Wow! To great and useful ways of classical approach. It reminds me to pay more attention on my value and plane transitions... the middle value that connects lights and shades is crucial to render a convincent transition (avoid blending values). Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@Noedell]

Incredible! You make it seem so easy! Very well done and thanks for the great video!

[@markgenders5127]

What a fantastic instructive video. Thank you.

[@hoangphuong6568]

I really love your channel. It helps a lot for self studying and today I made big progression. I rarely find any video who gives clearer instructions. Thank you so much. I would love to see your new video soon.

[@jeffhreid]

Alex, wonderfully done. Excellent tutorial. Really enjoyable and informative. Cheers

[@robertrigel9806]

Brilliant! Thanks so much for your discussion on the planes of the face. It reminded me very much of discussions with a sculptor friend of mine. I learned a lot. Cheers, Bob

[@emarcos40]

Great work. Congratulations Alex.

[@alexwhite5724]

Great easy simple ... love it

[@satriani17]

This is a wonderful tutorial. Thank you.

[@StefanNuetzel]

Great demos and the content well delivered. I always enjoy your videos because you know your craft.

[@alkasarin1073]

You are soooo good as a teacher and you are a good human being

[@FBrigdon]

This is particularly well done. Awesome!

[@lluhu]

This tutorial is awesome.

[@chitrakarsanket]

Amazing work , I just enjoyed and learned at the same time !!👌😊

[@patrickcharles7190]

I reckon they do. Great info on lighting and planes. The value changes aren't as obvious on a brightly lit subject but they do have highlights. Thanks.

[@vickiealexander9768]

So happy I found your channel!! So useful!

[@gdanastasov]

Bravo and thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@konanoobiemaster]

love your work alex thank you!

[@RMB.Atelier]

This is extremely helpful! Thank you!!

[@DavidWoodArtist]

Excellent painting and explanations. Thanks.

[@subhamsikdar1715]

Great video.. great teacher.. lots of thanks

[@knivon6959]

Really very helpful, thank you so much for this tutorial, really helped me.

[@GeoCreepypasta]

Thank you for making this video. It was really helpful

[@fool5799]

You're amazing, thanks for the lesson

[@michaelbuchanan3212]

Thank you Alex!

[@stevebuk100]

You are a true gent, what you can do in few brush strokes I can only admire, I am going to join your Patreon after christmas

[@annabizaro-doo-dah]

Me too. I feel lousy doing after xmas though lol!

[@raelis_vasquez]

I love this video. I always stress the importance of values on my channel. Keep making great content!

[@muditpaliwal2060]

Thanks for sharing. It was very helpful.

[@sophiayoung9585]

love this!

[@nek114]

Thank you very much for your videos!

[@eurasiantreesparrow7547]

Excellent demonstration! Thank you

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you! Glad you liked it.

[@adebanji]

fantastic info on planes, edges and values. Thanks for sharing.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Adebanji!

[@lotdproduction]

Awesome demo mate! Thank you! 😁

[@lluhu]

Thanks Alex, very useful.

[@AllisonZadrozny]

Thanks Alex! Another great video. :)

[@MasterTattooing]

Thank you so much! Great videos

[@michaelwhite8031]

Great work Alex

[@mikeescamilla70]

Thanks for made this kind of videos, i really apreciated. From an mexican artist, cheers

[@mv11000]

Wonderful vid, thank you!

[@beanstaIkjack]

Gotta love the Alex. Thanks man! You're very talented and these demos are brilliant

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thanks Jack!

[@lisafred1362]

very helpful.. especially the second demo.

[@marianabonina249]

It looks so easy

[@artplussk_222]

Awesome demo. Thank you v much.

[@dancharlesc]

Love the balance in this tutorial it's clear and easy to apply. Thank you very much!

[@draw_with_k_art2477]

Very nicely done

[@berthap9756]

this has been very helpful, thank you so much

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Bertha!

[@ericaroberts3919]

Your videos are so helpful! Thank you!!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Erica! Glad you like them.

[@laragutierrez8033]

You are so generous for creating a very educational video like this, so really, THANK YOU. From the Philippines

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you!

[@user-lt3vq7gf2f]

It's very useful video, thanks for it very much.

[@Golliver-]

the first drawing looks very nice

[@PatMcDonald41]

Thank you ... excellent ...

[@geraldpatacsil7995]

I love the way start your painting..

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Gerald!

[@fpatrocinio]

This video is so good, i've seen it over and over :)

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Filipe! I'm very glad this was helpful.

[@nataliesirnova6865]

Thank you so much!

[@jayaram322]

Great 💙🎨

[@eyeshowyou]

Great demo's

[@olingoodanga8344]

very informative tutorial.....loved it

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you!

[@blackbird163]

Thank u! Lovely

[@KGArtDesign]

Thank you for sharing this sir! Usefull advices :)

[@MarcusCFA]

Chiaroscuro is really a good way to get these planes by using line and shape to create form.

[@tanyan99]

The best!

[@luspau]

amazing! Thanks a lot.

[@ruthgonzalez1991]

You are not just an artist. You are also a teacher.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Ruth!

[@evelynbrogli830]

Thank you.

[@diegolmm]

man, i love it. Thnks you so much :3

[@chrisopen3]

Another excellent video. Thanks Alex. I'm enjoying your patreon too.

[@chrisopen3]

May I suggest that at the end of each video, you show a shot of all the brushes you used in the video, with some text on the screen with details of brands, hair types and sizes. Hope you don't mind me suggesting this! C.

[@ARTYCOATY]

This is fantastic! I learned a lot. Thank you for sharing. I support you. 😊🎨🌸🌸

[@goldenhour5654]

Amazing work! :)

[@koonsickgreen6272]

amazing...

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you!

[@chartreusemm1481]

excellent video.

[@tommygrip]

Excellent! Thank you so much ;)

[@patdzon]

Awesome job!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thanks Patrick!

[@SOLUNARY555]

You really make unbelievable transformations UwU now I'm your fan,from Philippines🇵🇭

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Ginabelle!

[@masselq.s.253]

Gracias, por compartir su conocimiento 😊

[@DJSHADDY2K7]

i can relate to this kind of painting.

[@shakma_X]

this is useful , but those strokes that suddenly made a realistic and synthesized face appear one frame to another are all I wanna know

[@jonmcandreiabad3639]

C’mon, bro! Hahahaha