Painting Demo: Experimental Portraits

In this week's video, watch me create an entire portrait from start to finish that I made over a period of a few days. Tune in as I show you how I utilize a doodle grid to lay out the initial features, build layers, make color decisions, and how I finalize the portrait to make it feel like my own creation. And afterwards, be sure to let me know what you think about it in the comments below.
🌟🌟 Join for your FREE month of Art Tribe now to explore this masterclass 🌟🌟
👉 www.louisefletcherart.com/art... 👈
Be sure to also grab my free guide that will help you to find your very own signature style here: 👉 www.louisefletcherart.com/fre... 👈
I am on a mission to help artists find their own unique voice and make exciting, original artwork that is truly unique. If this sounds exciting, join my weekly artist's newsletter at www.louisefletcherart.com/new....
Each week, I share tips, tricks, advice, and inspiration to help you take your art to the next level.
You can also find me:
On Facebook at / louisefletcherart
On Instagram at / louisefletcher_art
And on my podcast at: www.louisefletcherart.com/for...
#abstractportraits #abstractportrait #abstractportraitpainting #artinspiration #artistinspiration #abstractpainting #finding your style #abstract style #artinsight #paintingdemo #artistic #painting #painter #abstractart

[@TesaHC]

I never get tired of watching you paint. Especially these portraits...both Tracy and the series of self portraits. I learn more every single time.

[@laurienye7514]

Louise, that is very stunning, a I like it very much.

[@atelierelsemarie]

Just saw this one. Absolutely love the prossess and the result. I can see small scenaries in the skin because of your use of colors ❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you like it!

[@karlabritfeld7104]

I loved the idea of doing a self portrait a day for a year. It took me about two months to realize i wasnt drawing the lines and wrinkles in my face and once i started adding them in i noticed the expressions got better. There is always something new to do! Thanks for all the great ideas.

[@yikesukes]

DEEEE-LISH! More, pleeeeeease!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Awww so happy to hear you liked it!

[@marabethquinart]

Thank you Louise for your videos and your podcast--your approach has given me a freedom that I already had but couldn't quite access. I truly appreciate the language you use and the way that organically find your way.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful! I'm so glad to help x

[@leslieg3581]

I LOVE this so much! thank you! such excitement in this painting.

[@vivienbarton7912]

Hi Louise, I have only just really had chance to watch your videos, I just wanted to say the portraiture style you do its just what I have been wanting to do. I already paint portraits but in the more traditional way, i needed to see how to go about it, please how can I see more of your portrait demos. Thank you. Vivien. Xx

[@lorieabraham272]

WoW! This is a super fun, creative, loose, Huge Thank You for sharing! Cool!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you enjoyed it Lorie!

[@daliladematos7813]

I really enjoyed this as I'm a portrait painter and the energy us spot on. Thank you so much

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful! I am very flattered x

[@christineacraman4448]

I love the deconstructing at the end, the colours, the energy and the video was great showing your processes , thanks so much , now to subscribe ❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much!

[@vibrantly50]

Loved this demo so much, Louise! It reminded me of some of the bold work I created years ago in art school. And sparked that desire to have a go once again. 🥰 Really enjoyed watching the layers build and the de-construction towards the end.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you liked it!

[@cindirocks322]

Wow!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks Cindi ♥♥♥

[@cathyserafinowicz6374]

I love this approach,I think it’s great as it is! ❤️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@susanhollers7935]

Thank you VERY much. Wonderful energy. Exactly what I needed to learn. 🙏🏼

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you enjoyed it Susan!

[@katewest8989]

Brilliant!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Awww thank you Kate!

[@aimeerelf3673]

I love it. So dynamic !!!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you Aimee!

[@susanstern6303]

Loved this. Can’t find more someone referred to? Please do more! I could watch you watch paint dry and feel like I learnt a lot!

[@maureenteustace5996]

This for sure one of my favourites

[@ThisPaintingLife]

thanks x

[@jeannelutzkow2507]

I love this. I like to watch it many times. Great likeness. Great idea❣️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Awww I'm so glad you liked it!

[@ShazzaNJ]

Oh wow...I really love this!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@annaterzin5071]

Wow! Amazing

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you Anna!

[@jeannelutzkow2507]

I love this. Amazing ❣️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Awww thanks Jeanne.

[@PatriseHenkel]

OMG Louise!!! the Doodle grid is AMAZING!! Loving your evolution into painting people - Ive been scared of this for years but now I'm taking chances and making experimental things.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you enjoyed it Patrise and don't be scared to try new things. That's how we all learn! ♥

[@user-oc9cj1ot4q]

Wow - so good!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you!

[@ElveraViljoen]

Love this!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you liked it ♥

[@hilaryadams338]

You are so inspirational. Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you for your kind words Hilary ♥

[@angeliqueluro1753]

Loved this!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

thank you

[@janicetortoriello1125]

Absolutely love this!! Smashing work!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks so much!!

[@taraargall8267]

Love this Louise! Very inspirational!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lizziew8879]

Absolutely love your work. Inspiring. Thanks for sharing. Xx

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@melindareynolds7867]

Awesome!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you!

[@zinamecelis5577]

Lots of great tips! Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@SandraRice-jo9tf]

Love this piece and would love to see more of this process please‼️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Art Tribe members have access to the whole series of videos, along with lots of other videos of my painting process, You're welcome to join us www.louisefletcherart.com/art-tribe

[@susanmarcoux7005]

This was great, thanks

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're welcome!

[@patriciadattoma4479]

I love this Doodle Grid concept! Fabulous video & fabulous outcome! Thanks, Louise!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you like it!

[@francinegoodson9676]

loved the demo, the narrative and the doodle-grid concept... No more "where do i begin?!!" thank you, Louise.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you liked it!

[@partycat414]

Great video! Really enjoyable.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So happy to hear you liked it!

[@jeannelutzkow2507]

I love this video ❣️. You did an amazing job. I have watched this one many times. I can't wait for your class. Thank you so much ❤️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much!

[@user-tt4vl8it3c]

Loved this and the one on building textures. Exceptionally lucid explanations and very helpful.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wow thank you for your kind words. I am so happy to hear you found it useful. ♥

[@minervoisgal]

you make it look like and explain so well that even i think i will have a go at it. thanks!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You can do it!

[@paulaweed9737]

Wow! I love the push and pull you exhibited while painting this. It was lovely to watch!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much 😀

[@dianecharest8365]

That came out nice. I want to learn to d this. Thank you for sharing.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@SusanLArt]

Amazing demonstration! The doodle grid is new to me, thank you! Love your videos

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad to hear you enjoyed it!

[@michellegraven7786]

I’ve learnt AmaZing processes from U today!!! Thank U, Louise ❤️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're so welcome and so glad I could provide that!

[@charlynnthrockmorton9546]

I loved this. I paint mainly faces and figures and have been trying to find a way to get energy and life into what I paint. I loved beginning with the grid and the disrupting of the face. Thank you, Louise.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I'm glad you enjoyed it x

[@gol622]

Wonderful portrait.. unique and beautiful

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much 😀

[@gardeniainbloom812]

Yaaasss!!! Doodle grid eh? Genius. Very helpful demo thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jenniferlindermanart2240]

Oh wow, Louise! I absolutely LOVE this portrait! Very inspiring and makes me want to paint one but I have never painted that large before! Love your videos so much! ❤️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

It's never to late to try Jennifer!

[@annrubino6252]

This was amazing! I have moved you into my "genius" painter files. Your landscape-inspired work remains my muse but this was waaay fantastic. Thank you, Louise.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wow, thank you so much for your kind words.

[@terinan]

Loved this Louise!

[@DebBreton]

You've captured Tracy's spirit in this!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you think so Deb!

[@susiebower5932]

This is a stunning portrait. I'm new to Louise's videos and I'm really impressed - what a generous artist Louise is. Thank you, thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you enjoyed it Susie and welcome to the channel! ♥

[@dianabritton2511]

15:52 Ooh, Louise, I loved this little video. Thank you. What I found interesting at first look was that once you had put in the main features, the eyes mouth nose, there was very little change even with all the layers and colours you laid. Wonderful ❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you enjoyed it Diana!

[@cynthiadarling4995]

Thank you for this, the grid is so helpful. A squared off grid is what I have used before but I had to make sure I was in the right square and this looks a lot less troublesome to find my way. I am going to try this!!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you liked it Cynthia!

[@gloriasollecito164]

I have taken Find Your Joy and Find Your Voice. I would like more of THIS in future courses. You're amazing. You always give me great food for thought as well as great art.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad to hear you liked it Gloria!

[@colettebegg1946]

This was an exceptional video! So many little gems here! I'm so interested in the 'disrupted' look, but struggle on the process. This video breaks down some of the mystery. Thank you Louise for sharing!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Awww so glad you enjoyed it and you can totally do it!

[@charlottechamplin9063]

Louise I love to watch you paint. You are an excellant teacher as well as artist. This is the first time I have seen you do a portrait. That is what I am currently working on learning. Bold brush strokes abstract colors mostly anything but flesh tones, I love to write on the canvas before painting. Since I learned about religious Iconography being called "writing a portrait" I have been enthralled with the idea of putting meaningful words down under the paint. I am going to use the words rather than grid marks from now on. I think of my many layers as obliterate and reiterate! Thank you for sharing so much it is very wonderful of you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome :)

[@xencage]

I know you want to take it to another level, but I think it’s stunning 😍

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Oh thank you!

[@PaulWalesArt]

Oh my GOSH!!! Louise you given us many gifts but this one is beyond incredible. I so enjoyed watching and listening to your process as you explore another aspect of art and I'll readily admit I loved the outcome whether or not you see it as a finished piece. Somehow I was able to imagine it in the gallery where you did your landscape showings and realized it would still be yours - Louise exploring portraiture. Thank you so much. Be well and know that you appreciated. P.S. I recently rewatched your interview with Jane Davies - even a year and a bit later I found it fascinating and was grateful that it took place - 2 power houses of artistic joy coming together.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much for your kind words and being here with me! ♥

[@ronnamoore8046]

Amazing. I can't believe you don't consider that a finished portrait.. I would be doing congratulatory backward hand-springs if I could create something that amazing. Thank you for sharing.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Awww thank you for your kind words! ♥♥♥

[@joanpowell5653]

Louise I love this abstract portrait. This is my favorite of yours. You are such a master painter. I love all your paintings. Are you in a gallery?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Aww thank you so much! That means a lot to me. At this time, I am not. ❤

[@lubazagurak275]

Very interesting! Do I understand correctly; you used your doodles as the 'grid' rather than a traditional grid? I predominantly do 'bold colour' portraits and I've wanted to loosen up more ... this is a great demo!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yes, correct! Glad you enjoyed it ♥

[@user-rl1wy9mu9w]

I think you did a great likeness based on the reference photo but more interesting. Like you said, why make it exactly like the photo?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Exactly! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@wendywatson2566]

That was so interesting to watch, thank you Louise. I just wondered if there could be an issue with copyright over the image you used. I know for your own studies and that’s fine but if you finalise a painting, is it important to have permission to use the image?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Good question! Yes - if you want to sell something, you do technically need permission from the photographer. Usually they are really nice about it.

[@wendywatson2566]

@@ThisPaintingLife thanks Louise, that’s good to know. I often draw faces often of artists I admire although I don’t take them further than a charcoal or graphite sketch.