10 Tips To Bring Your Portrait Paintings To Life

[@DarlitaDawn]

1. Choose a photo with distinct light and shadow 2. Avoid harsh lines. Lay down shapes and values. No outlines. 3. Understand the planes of the face. 4. Make your brush strokes go in the right direction by understanding the planes of the face. 5. Think and draw in 3D. 6. Simplify the teeth. Paint base form, then paint gums, don't paint bright teeth. 7. Soften the edges of the hair and the hairline. 8. Work on your painting upside down in the first third of painting. 9. Paint eyes softer. Don't outline the eye. Understanding the planes of the eye. 10. Make the background simpler. Use a similar color.

[@hannahbull]

This is the video I needed right now. I’m doing a self portrait for my painting class and struggling and I hope this will help.

[@goodusername7090]

How'd it go?

[@hannahbull]

@@goodusername7090It went okay! definitely a learning experience. I’m actually painting another self portrait for class right now so it was good to revisit this video. Still working on being able to mix the right values so I can get soft edges instead of having harsh outlines in some places.

[@goodusername7090]

@@hannahbull that's great!! I'm currently in the same situation as you. For my art class I decided to paint a portrait as my final project (which is half my grade) and I've never picked up a paint brush before, only done pencil sketches. Could you spare some tips?

[@hannahbull]

@@goodusername7090 So this is in regards to doing oil paintings but here are some tips that helped me. I’m not a professional or anything though so they might not be the best advice. First it makes it a lot less stressful if you grid your canvas or if you have a projector you can use that to trace the face. Use a red colored pencil and be kinda light handed so that when you paint over top you won’t have to worry as much about pencil smudging and showing through. I don’t have much experience with underpaintings it is something I still need to practice so I have been skipping that step. I think it’s easier to put in your background first before painting any of the face. Make sure the background is not too saturated of a color that will distract from your main subject. If you have a program that you can colorpick from your photo it is helpful to see what colors are really there because personally I struggle with determining what colors I’m seeing in certain parts and you will be surprised how a color that doesn’t look like it should work actually does. It’s also good to see your photo in black and white as well as adjust the contrast to be a bit stronger. For the skin I start by putting down a base tone and then observe where the darkest areas are. See what shapes the shadows create and if they are cool or warm tone. It’s easier to go darker with your shadows later than to try to lighten them so be careful when applying them and don’t go too thick with the paint at first. For hair it depends on the color but I start with a light shade and then start adding darker areas. For the brightest highlights make sure to get a lot of paint on your brush so that it will stand out. Use a dry brush to blend softly but going overboard blending can take away from your contrast so watch out. That’s about all I can think to say. A lot of painting is just trial and error. Good luck!

[@goodusername7090]

@@hannahbull I can't express to you how much I appreciate this, you truly didn't have to help out yet you did and I'm really grateful for that!! I wish you great luck with your art class as well 💞

[@GP-hf3qi]

You are excellent at explaining the principals

[@danny8807]

Appreciate the effort you give to provide us with free painting tips! Helps so much.

[@tutaart]

thank you so much you are a great teacher ❤

[@ruima9195]

Thanks a lot for your amazing tips! I don't paint portrait often, but I watched quite some tutorials including yours to help break the ice. The thing that always bothered/confused me was how artists lay down their brush strokes. One of your tutorials took lemon as an example but I still couldn't get the hang of applying it to face. Your new tips finally answered my question! Putting the model and your painting side by side and showing exactly which direction the stroke corresponds to which plane is such an eye opener for me. Thanks a lot for your continuing efforts to help people tackle the biggest challenges in portrait painting!

[@gabriellenichole3445]

This was an amazing video to help understand paint theory. Ps. Pease tell your cat I said hello 💕

[@kimvirginia6450]

i watch this particular video over and over again - and i enjoy it each time

[@NickLMears]

You also taught me that crooked portraits are harder. If I want it crooked now I rotate the canvas and level the face vertically. Also rotate the reference.

[@Ladyne77]

This is so helpful! Your explanations are very concise and clear. And I love that you used the picture of John Locke from LOST with the orange peel in his mouth for the explanation on how to paint teeth! Made me laugh! 😂

[@europeanroyalty4778]

My understanding is to paint in a loose style,you need to be able to paint high realism first.I did not know this but it makes complete sense.

[@liv0003]

Mmmm sorry but it's not true! Among the greatest abstract or surrealist or expressionist painters and many other non-realist painters who have made the history of modern and contemporary art, many of them didn't know how to paint realism and were not at all interested in doing so either

[@tink6225]

@@liv0003 probably related to how people naturally develop art styles, impressionists not really interested in realism, and realists like myself are not so good at being abstract

[@liv0003]

@@tink6225 sure. Every artist has a unique style 👍 and is the good thing about art in my opinion. I'm able to appreciate many different styles and painters from abstract artists to the more realistic ones and many others in "between".

[@M33838]

First of all student painted in gouache ,prof in oil big difference in painting

[@sanjayk3094]

​​@@M33838 look at the neck and body part they are more loose than the face so it's possible to paint loose in gouache too

[@EdgarKohl]

Painting values first before details comes into play it's like seeing a blurred picture before adjusting the lens of a camera 📷

[@kelleywheeler4478]

I have a BFA with a concentration in oil painting and I continually learn things from your videos. Thank you!!

[@leelee6850]

This is clutch! I needed to hear this as I teach myself oil painting. Thank you!

[@maralfniqle5092]

They are both lovely, just different styles.

[@jody7399]

Thank you for these great tips. Very valuable. Of course, easier said than done.

[@tbatrics]

I'm extremely excited to work these tips into my learning. I feel like my portraits suffer similarly to this example

[@shayaschonfeld4738]

Thank you Chris! You're videos have been an immense help to me in my painting. As an aside, just for a more cinematic effect if would be good if you took a wholesome sip from your mug once in a while

[@KayInMaine]

I think yours and the student's version of the photo are both really good! What you're teaching is for artists to be more painterly and loose.

[@samanthabotha3456]

Thanks again for an amazing video. I'm always surprised by how much I learn from you. I've been painting portraits for a long time, but your tips are invaluable. I make many mistakes you spoke about😔

[@platoschauvet]

oh my god, the upside down trick! I haven't thought about that since middle school, I gotta utilize that more!

[@marcusfc]

Your advice is fantastic. Thank you Chris!

[@kimvirginia6450]

simply the best!

[@kimkimson627]

I actually just drew a customer a portrait of a child that has a abnormality in the corner of the nose. He was born like that and of course the parents did want his nose to look the way it does. I got several photos to go from and I still had to figure out how to make it look natural on a painting. They where really happy with the result, but I still feel that I have allot to learn about the human face.

[@CarlMichaelAyotte]

You are a great painter, AND a great teacher!

[@40bdg]

Thank you! I will be using these helpful tips today!

[@paintcoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@summerparadiso4691]

Thank you so much! You really break down everything into palatable tips.

[@geraeltvgh145]

Keep on with the good works💛 God bless you

[@paintcoach]

Thank you so much

[@elainek1234]

Another fantastic video Chris. I can definitely use your 10 tips to create better art. Thank you. I especially liked your tip on planes. I watched another video you made where you used smaller planes to define another student’s art. Without defined planes the student’s painting looked more pop art, not that there’s anything wrong with that just not what you are trying to achieve in portrait art.

[@englemanart]

Always appreciate these vids.

[@jeffallen559]

Great video. I just looked at one of my portraits i previously painted and I made a lot of the mistakes mentioned.

[@Irisseesall]

I can’t wait to take as many of your courses possible! Your the best-

[@marygoodwin9844]

Thank you Chris. Much appreciated

[@jillbassett1150]

Thank you zo much for all your guidance with oil painting. Your work is phenomenal and diverse in all your subjects. I like how you provide such great insight in a simplified and enjoyable way. Humble Genius and really good with teaching-- i/ve learned so much. Will continue to strudy /focus/stay inspired and keep it moving no matter what. Makes life so beautiful- Never stop learning anf growing----- ONWARD and UPWARD. Peace Love Respect

[@parfischer2899]

It really helps when we can watch (for free!! Most of us are not financially wealthy) such very informative videos as yours Chris…..thank you

[@semihcanakca1762]

Very helpful tips. Great video!!

[@allenvoss7977]

You got a video on varnishing ?

[@sherievans2617]

Thanks … will give it a go

[@afafyounaki608]

Thank you very much for your teaching in a great way,, 👍👍💐

[@lwazisowazi7075]

Where do i start when painting the background or the actual painting

[@demej00]

Fantastic. Please do Vsevolod Mikhailovich Garshin by Ilya Repin. How does he do it so simply and get such a photo realistic effect?

[@JuliaRamos-art]

thank you soooo much man! makes so much sense! helped me a lot, imma try these tips right now

[@vesta1711]

Amazing tips thank you!❤

[@platoschauvet]

4:48 is so funny but actually kind of ingenious

[@maryam-fk9ro]

Thanks for this video!

[@sickswitch1387]

I don't even paint and this video is awesome

[@vladgrishaev3681]

I love all your classes and recently started in Patreon to see all your videos. All thought I noticed that you can change the photos into a shadow value picture. Is that photoshop? Or would you recommend an app?

[@liliboulanger6615]

Insanely helpful

[@steveandpattyjackson1940]

Thank you!!!

[@iYvonne]

Very valuable tips. Thanks ...

[@JulietteReacts]

At 1:59, you show the photo in greyscale and adjusted to better show the values. How did you go about doing this? I feel like it'd help me.

[@SkyyeMoore]

Same )))-: can’t figure out how to do that

[@Tukanggambarklaten]

How did you edit refference picture to see the value?

[@ccmassis]

As a photograper, I can say that there was no flash used. It is just simply natural light. IMHO.

[@jodysmaggus1862]

This video is so helpful! 11/10!

[@Chericherry4]

I remember asking my artist friend how to see the shapes better. She said her teacher had the class paint (from a photo) an elephant upside down.

[@tamaraeder8922]

Just found your Chanel. Super Helpful 🙏 Could you also share a link for the Head to practice the Flats, please?

[@myrnalandersartist]

This was super helpful thank you!

[@phoenixphoenix8868]

Thank you

[@kevinhawley4992]

Do you make your own frames? If so and you don't mind me asking... Where you get the wood? If not, is your supplier local? I don't want to copy the color and style you use, but live near you and have been working on sourcing material(s).

[@Mariaandreaartist]

wonderful video!! does anyone know where we can get the planar head?

[@vehinhkhoitamgiac2889]

amazing !

[@rakeshchoudhary7391]

Love you sir

[@dev3137]

اين أجد الفوتشوب الذي يحول الصورة الى قالب ظل وضوء

[@ArtByRopri]

WOW wonderful Tips, Wishing you more and more Successes, greetings 🌺💐🌹

[@cathyberry9282]

Love all your videos, they are so helpful. But, when I try to paint from an upside down reference, I get dizzy and physically ill. Wonder if that happens to anyone else.

[@sharonzapotocky9973]

Very helpful ! Thanks so much!

[@paintcoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@navetamim4237]

Wow. Great video, helped me a lot, thank you so much! Im triyng to paint a photo that my sister in law asked me to paint for her, but i cant paint the bricks in the photo. Maybe you can explain how to paint jerusalem bricks? I can upload a photo but there pictures of jerusalem breaks in the internet

[@potomaccrafter]

This was so helpful after I finished (and struggled with) a portrait. You addressed a lot of my struggles. Thank you! Maybe next time :)

[@Anoek66]

Amazing👏🏼

[@thestaz8564]

Good tips! Ty 👍

[@ShunyamNiketana]

What about when the shape itself is a line?

[@ava.fineart]

Hello! Do you have videos on how to paint smaller? With full body figure and head. Im trying to paint wedding portraits but it’s just so difficult to paint small faces :( thank you

[@redangrybird7564]

That is almost impossible, I do paint portraits and the head/face in the portrait should be life size the largest and half size the smallest but not smaller. Painting miniatures is another beast

[@lumateo4534]

Do you offer online classes ?

[@ilovemydog7593]

Love your videos. Where do you find your references?

[@memecringedme9309]

I’ll try it

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you for everything you share - I mentioned you in my new video! I also tagged you : )

[@stopbeingana-hole4151]

This is so helpful lol

[@shuvoDhar.5537]

Very nice❤❤❤

[@mouhamedfouad4679]

Awesome

[@tetsusiega2]

When the teacher needs more lessons than the student:

[@soarpurpose]

The use of hard edges from the student makes the subject look older.

[@kennynyc1555]

Cool Subbed

[@sambledsoe3526]

Seriously . I’m born and raised in the Shenandoah valley . Dang ! Wanna makeout ? Be a whole lot cooler if you did ….

[@tahiranawaz2987]

, thanks

[@oncealondoner9504]

I might be the minority here....but I liked the student version better. It's got more expression, life and character. The second version may be 'technically' better but sorta generic. No disrespect meant but the student version pops and registered in my mind right away. I've been a professional fine artist for 20 years now and I think sometimes as we become more 'professional', our work slips into comfortable and predictable lanes and while some things may be more 'correct' they don't necessarily spark the imagination or capture the essence of the subject.

[@travisnobleart]

I equate it to chess, where the best, most masterful games are rather boring (up to the level of AI play) and the most interesting games are at the club (or pre-engine) level. Ambiguity is an element of art, and (I think it's safe to say) the hardest to create with intention.

[@CleoraAleise]

Exactly!

[@birdshenanigans8506]

I prefer the student by miles. I hate chocolate box artists that make me want to shop at TKMax. Get a grip!

[@CleoraAleise]

Precisely

[@twitchy5710]

You keep showing a painting of a blonde woman, I think I know her... Is that lady named Tammy Hopkins? If so, we have a mutual friend :)

[@phiavir5594]

No offence, but if I was commissioning a couple of artists for the picture, I'd pick the students.

[@andrewlm5677]

The painter asking the question just didn’t put enough time into the portrait - I think he made a decent start but needs to fix some things. The jaw line is wrong - fix that and it will be a better likeness. It seems to me that the critical decisions in painting is what you want to paint and when the painting is done. These techniques may help you get to whatever state you chose to consider “done” more quickly. I think it would be a mistake to adopt this (or anyone else’s) definition of what a painting looks like when it is “done”

[@ponytailjones]

In the overwhelming majority of these videos, the student painting looks better than the teacher one.

[@KatherineWang-nm4uo]

The sweet bunny in the background is so distracting.

[@CleoraAleise]

Am I the only one that likes the students painting more? Looks more modern & realistic his looks like an old timepiece too much focus on details that aren’t there. This contributes to the young girl looking much older than she obviously is. I think somewhere in the middle between the student & his would’ve been perfect.

[@phiavir5594]

This is my feeling with a lot of his videos. He paints loose, which is fine, but not everyone is after that. The main issue with the students painting is the black hard edges and jarring shadow values, and a few proportion issues. But that's it. The overall rendering is superior for the most part.

[@J-K-L-IV]

Kinda like the student's more. Sorry, kinda.

[@phoenixtown2403]

i can't find you in Instagram . what's your account username?