Pitfalls and stumbling blocks in portrait painting. 10 mistakes to avoid. By Ben Lustenhouwer

[@johnmcconnell707]

Hello Ben, I am 86 years old and have been an artist all my life...landscape, abstract, jewellery etc. I'm in excellent health and have decided to challenge my self to paint portraits; a skill that has always escaped me! But I feel privileged to have found your videos, so generously made available to strangers like me. With your help I think I'm making progress. So thank you for sharing your knowledge, talent and gentle teaching skill. There should be more people in this world like you. I tried to attach a photo of one of my efforts but it didn't work.John McConnell Vancouver Island BC Canada.

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you John for your kind words.

[@fulviaquarta9561]

Si può avere traduzione in italiano?

[@lustenhouwer]

@@fulviaquarta9561 the italian traduction is already there.

[@joj4096]

An 87 yr old using youtube and commenting, damn.

[@SBecktacular]

I love this man, not only is his painting captivating, but he has an awesome sense of humor 😄🥰

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you

[@refleksor]

Distance joke was hilarious

[@witoldbroniszewski9121]

Ben I am your fan. I paint and learn from you a lot. But sometimes I simply watch your videos as they make such a nice and relaxing mood - your voice is so calm and your personality is so full of positive energy. I dont know If You know that. So many thanks for your work. You.are a great person.

[@lustenhouwer]

Great to hear!

[@Archtkathy]

i must say the same thing. Just saw your tutorials today and I am hook! you are such a great teacher!

[@marinagarciasolorzano1724]

beautiful commenet and so true!

[@lanayashina]

Same, Ben has such a calming presence, I just feel better when I watch his videos.

[@kooleleen]

Yep I was guilty of breaking quite a lot of these rules. Thanks for sharing.

[@lustenhouwer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joeyburrell3207]

What really impresses me with your paintings is that it appears to me as a cross between impressionist & realism combined. You capture the likeness w/o doing a photo copy likeness. Great style sir. 😊👍👍

[@lustenhouwer]

That cross as you say is indeed my aim.

[@ChristopherJones-cjphoto]

You are a wonderful teacher, and I loved your Paul Simon quote. Ditto to all the comments on your mood- you feel so peaceful, even when attempting to be frantic.

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you Christopher

[@theloniousorta]

You are my favorite art teacher!! Thank you for this!

[@lustenhouwer]

Nice to know

[@lshwadchuck5643]

"An over-blended image with crisp details looks silly". Brilliant! And the way the demo looks at that point proves the point!

[@lustenhouwer]

indeed.

[@williammendoza1118]

Best KZbinr I've ever seen, very wise and easy to understand, thanks for the tricks

[@lustenhouwer]

I appreciate that!

[@artbyfawzi5420]

One word to sum up your work Ben , "Brilliant".

[@hamidaahmed4311]

Being humble enough to share with your you tube followers the mistakes you have experienced during your journey as an artist is your gift to the world and those who want to learn ...there is a proverb in the UK ...a wise man learns from his mistakes , I believe a wiser man learns from the mistake of others that have proceeded him . Thank you again for sharing so we can avoid pitfalls .

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you Hamida.My pleasure

[@eugeniabotezatu2557]

GRAZIE MAESTRO SEMPRE!!! COMPLIMENTI PER I SUOI DIPINTI MERAVIGLIOSI 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@lustenhouwer]

Muchas gracias Eugenia.

[@carolepivarnik9316]

I don’t even paint in oils but find your videos both helpful and entertaining! Your work is lovely, and you’re an inspiring teacher.

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you so much!

[@joseager5533]

I am self taught and trying to do portraits. Your videos have really helped, I just want to say a big thank you. PS I love your kitchen garden

[@lustenhouwer]

So nice to hear! thank you.

[@Bubleone1]

Heel erg bedankt!! ik doe altijd plastic folie over mijn verf als ik stop voor de dag, en ''werk'' het lucht eruit.. maar jou manier is veel beter ( als ik ruimte in mijn freezer hebt lol ) je bent een geweldige kunstschilder maar ook leeraar.. zo relaxed and fijn om na te luisteren, Ik hoop dat het goed gaat met jullie daar ik Spanje ? die virus is zo erg he!!

[@lustenhouwer]

Voor ons is de situatie goed uit te houden. We hebben de ruimte en kunnen sinds vandaag weer de deur uit. Voor diegenen waarvan de baan op de tocht staat moet het verschrikkelijk zijn.

[@Bubleone1]

@@lustenhouwer Ja ben, er is veel veel verdriet in de wereld door deze situatie, verlies van geliefden, werk, enz. Ik ben heel erg blij dat het jullie goed gaat, dat is dan weer een goed bericht, ik woon in Overijssel waar het niet heel erg is getroffen, dwz, niet zo zwaar als Brabant en andere steden. Ook ik ben voor het eerst in 6 weken buiten mijn woning geweest, best wel zwaar ook, ik heb drie kinderen en drie kleinkinderen allemaal wonende in Adelaide Australië, alleen is erg eenzaam, maar toch tel ik mijn zegeningen en dank God voor wat ik wel heb, rust, vrede en lieve kat, en mijn hobby... goed vrienden, dat is toch wel heel veel he! Blijf gezond!! warme groet uit NL. x

[@NadiaInNewYork]

Excellent breakdown, thank you so much!

[@lustenhouwer]

It is my pleasure

[@jetteroheller6395]

Thank you so much! I love your videos! May you and yours stay healthy and happy!

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you

[@373EDx]

thank you for another excellent set of tips . I am using lately , an unusual way to see the painting from a little bit of distance , that is to take a photo with the phone , its incredible , but makes it look completely different , is even easier some times ( to me ) then to stay a few meters back from the painting , because the phone is making an image that looks even further then it really is . love your paintings . best regards

[@lustenhouwer]

Indeed! that is also what I do sometimes!

[@373EDx]

Good to know It wasn't that crazy the approach 🙂 @@lustenhouwer

[@Kailashchouksey7777]

Thank you for sharing useful things before starting a new painting. I checked that I too used to do same mistakes while I paint. Secondly what appeals me most is your statement that good output is a result of Logical approach . This way I may improve my work . Again thanks a lot for rendering your precious time .🙏👍🌹❤️

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you. Painting is like playing chess. A lot of thinking.

[@artjay5496]

I never get tired of watching your video

[@christophmueller1087]

Dear Ben!! I just became recently aware of your great work and tuition! It helps me really a lot - thank you so much. I really had to smile you watching painting this "poor" portrait, with all the errors in it. This can be so well also transferred to all other kinds of disciplines in art or even in life. "Take your time". - "don't work with poor materials". "take distance and a break from time to time" Thank you very much!

[@lustenhouwer]

You're very welcome Christoph. You are right. Do every thing you do with attention and dedication.

[@cristinasalesluis3075]

You explain everything so well, in such a concise and clear way!! Thank you so much.

[@lustenhouwer]

You are so welcome!

[@tomasvinella]

Ben, you are a wonderful and very talented man. You are simple to understand and you have a very warm way of communicating. Keep it up! love from Argentina.

[@lustenhouwer]

Gracias Tomás

[@tomasvinella]

@@lustenhouwer de nada Ben! Se aprecia mucho el hecho de registrar todo lo que hacés con tanta paciencia y calma para mostrárselo a gente alrededor de todo el globo. Realmente lo admiro. Saludos!

[@kubilay7172]

Dear Ben thank you, I watched all of your videos and really saw the difference in my work. take care.

[@lustenhouwer]

Great to hear!

[@SteamMuzik]

I just love to watch your videos. Even if there are some basics for beginners I'm watching it anyway. Thank you Ben!

[@lustenhouwer]

My pleasure!

[@shuu_tkm]

I'm a mainly digital artist but your advice is really good and applicable to the digital media too. I learned a lot from you, thank you for sharing your knowledge good sir 🥰

[@lustenhouwer]

You're so welcome!

[@chus3211]

Cuánta razón tiene!! Y además, un gran sentido del humor. Sabios tips que reflejan, al menos en mi caso, escenas cotidianas frente a mis retratos. Gracias

[@lustenhouwer]

Gracias Chús

[@murraykriner9425]

Greatly appreciate these simple oft overlooked details. My favorite was the first one. Yes, we often are in too big of a hurry for final results. Take care.

[@lustenhouwer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@olasart]

Fantastic help this is. I am in the middle of a commission and was feeling like I just can't do it, but with many of your points I am confident I can get a far closer resemblance. Thank you from Bristol, UK!

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you. Lots of succes with your commission.

[@feeemoid]

i have been an artist all my life, mainly painting with gouache, but just recently got into oil painting. i painted my first piece while watching some of your tips, and with your help i have created my first oil self-portrait. i am so blown away by how incredible oils are as a medium and your tips have guided me to utilize the knowledge i had with gouache and learn more about color mixing/oils as a medium. other channels just aren’t the same! thank you so much

[@lustenhouwer]

Good to hear. thank you.

[@schatzieme2]

Good advise, I usually put unused paint in a little plastic container. It usually hardens before I use it again. thanks for the tip on freezing it in the small freezer container.

[@lustenhouwer]

Glad to help

[@cesaraguilar5405]

Thank you so much for making these videos. This are so much help! I'm 18 year old, learning animation and concept art. I dont work with paint and I've never done it, however the way that I am learning digital painting, is treating it as it was real paint. I'm taking out so much from your videos. Thank you!

[@lustenhouwer]

You're so welcome!

[@tulatilla1026]

Ben... thank you so much for the way that you teach. Keep safe!

[@lustenhouwer]

My pleasure!

[@niladribhattacharjee3489]

When I first started watching your tutorials I was waiting for more videos ...... Now you are sharing more important things with us ....thank you

[@lustenhouwer]

More to come!

[@niladribhattacharjee3489]

@@lustenhouwer happy to hear that ....

[@suyiyang5556]

I really love your video, and it is very friendly with fresh people.

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you

[@EceGurlerArt]

This video is beautiful, helpful and to the point. Besides, I like your wit Ben! Thanks!

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you

[@santiagoclariana8708]

Sr. soy un seguidor de sus lecciones y de su obra y le doy las gracias por transmitirnos su experiencia de forma tan didáctica y además darnos la posibilidad de seguirlo en los subtítulos en español a los que no dominamos el inglés

[@lustenhouwer]

Muchas gracias Santiago.

[@ychandra22]

Professor Ben, hat's off to you. All tips you gave in this video are good enough for become an artist. Though I am not a painter, but my first love was painting. Again I must say excellent. Thanks

[@lustenhouwer]

You are very welcome

[@Tizaheijting]

Love the clumpsiness you illustrated in the fase 1! Wonderful!!!

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you Patricia. Sometimes I love to imitate Chaplin

[@calistanwankwo7416]

Tnx for the encouragement at the start ...I'm 15...I feel great learning from ..some one old enough with more experiences... Ure the best so far ....love u

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you Calista. Go for it!!!

[@calistanwankwo7416]

@@lustenhouwer 😘

[@victoriapage8815]

Oh i just cannot thank you enough for your videos!

[@lustenhouwer]

It is my pleasure Victoria.

[@rubensanchezorozco2037]

Gracias ben por todos estos videos ,llenos de detalles y trucos para hacernos mas fácil entender este gran oficio, que tan generosamente nos muestras. Que enorme sabiduría nos estas legando,un honor y un placer vivirlo,aun con la situación en la que estamos inmersos en España,un saludo y mucha salud para ud y sus allegados!

[@lustenhouwer]

Me alegro mucho. Gracias.

[@claireonlinex]

So helpful! I have a commision and I was so sad that it was going wrong that I almost gave up entirely. You have given me hope to try again using your advice :)

[@lustenhouwer]

Keep it up Claire.

[@Bertiches]

thank you to share your experience and I really need your precious talking to get started

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you

[@lawrence3521]

Really great video. Thanks for adding the Arabic translation. You have a great way to explain. I learned a lot. Thank you very much

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you. Iaworanc. Hope the subtitles are OK?

[@lawrence3521]

@@lustenhouwer yes

[@lustenhouwer]

@@lawrence3521 Thank you!!!

[@lawrence3521]

@@lustenhouwer you are welcome

[@nakedanunnaki4432]

Hello Ben, thanks for your excellent tutorials. Really appreciate your effort and time to produce and post for all of us folk who want to learn. Many thanks Mr B Cape Town, SA

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you!

[@tldead7270]

You have the best channel ever👍🏼❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you , nice to hear

[@angelaa2664]

Great teaching...so skilled...thanks for sharing. So generous., much appreciated. Thanks

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you.

[@jirinapavlikova4762]

Dear Ben, so grateful for your videos 💯🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️ so helpful 💓👍🏻 love your work and Wonderful art 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💯

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you so much Jirina.

[@lavelle1168]

I am an art student and your videos have helped me a lot.. you are amazing sir, thank you very much!

[@lustenhouwer]

Glad I could help!

[@krotonlutheano9169]

Thanks for your kind expression and helpful advices.😊

[@lustenhouwer]

you are welcome.

[@belindaquintanilla2395]

Revisiting your videos is alway a learning experience thank you Sir .

[@lustenhouwer]

Good to hear Belinda

[@maisie6904]

Absolutely love the Paul Simon analogy - 50 ways to leave your painting - ❤️😊

[@anne-mariemarshall3105]

Loved the reference to Paul Simon's lyrics. Just discovered your channel. Lots of great information here. Thank you. From Scotland

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you Anna- Marie

[@reematamna5759]

You are just amazing sir ! I can’t thank you enough!! ❤️ god bless you

[@lustenhouwer]

Most welcome!

[@Diamond-Des]

Best teacher... You show something...👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 More people in youtu.be tock to much but show nothing...

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you

[@MullerM]

I'm starting to learn the oil painting. And your channel is being very useful. Thank you Sr.

[@lustenhouwer]

I am glad you like it.

[@normlapensee]

Un monsieur vraiment formidable et intelligent . / A very nice intelligent man .. Bravo

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you

[@bobbytirlea]

Dear Ben, your are absolutely right, and thank YOU for the new video, these are indeed very sound and wise advises for one to keep who is to start or is already painting! Wish I had known this at the start. Anyway, in my short experience with oil and canvas, I would say there is good (premium) quality cotton too, expensive, not as linen though, or archival as linen, but the one I speak of is triple primed and the oil does not seep through to the fabric, and has good "tooth" as well to it. You see not all student paints are of that bad quality, in my experience (of course I would use only professional, if I could). I found that Talen's student grade has although a small percentage of pigment, that's true, yet also extenders that reinforce the paint film, and the extender is nonetheless a pigment too (PW18). Lately I am not too worried of to much vividness in hues, but of course I use them in combination with professional paint manufactured is my country that is less expensive than the known brands imported. Anyway, artist or professional paint indeed has another sort of appeal to the burgeoning artist, yet what is common in all paints is that one must tone them down, at least it is true for me, and if lightfastness holds in the student paint too, and do not cause with time delamination as Zinc Oxide does, I think they might become archival as well, and one should give them a chance. Not all student grade are good, Talens and Winton, in my experience are good and workable.

[@lustenhouwer]

You are right. My thoughts are based on those who buy cheap, real cheap stuff and get stuck with the idea that they don't have a gift for painting.

[@SuperBerecik]

Thanks a lot for the precious knowledge that you passe to your students !

[@lustenhouwer]

It's my pleasure

[@bobbybrown8167]

Hell yea! Im already doing all of this! nice to be validated by a pro. also love your little bit at the end about Paul Simon great tune

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you Bobby, once to hear

[@MrKosovo08]

Saludos, desde Puerto Rico lo hace ver todo fácil.

[@lustenhouwer]

Gracias!

[@PaweSzpak]

I'm impressed by the painting of a woman sitting on a chair, it looks so good from a perspective and distance, nearly like a photo print, rather than painting, do you have any video of painting the portrait? I'd really love to see it, it's brilliant!

[@lustenhouwer]

The portrait of the lady is an old one, I did nod make videos by then

[@anni9300]

You're paintings are amazing 😊😊😊

[@lustenhouwer]

Thanks

[@kathleens.1785]

Thank you so much for your videos! I love your style of presentation, and of course, your painting and teaching skills. I use acrylics but I still find the videos very helpful indeed.

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you so much!

[@АнтонПанарин-х2у]

Thank you, Ben. These are very valuable tips for me.

[@lustenhouwer]

It is my pleasure

[@sevelaforet1210]

Thank you so much !!! These tips are exactly what I need now.

[@lustenhouwer]

It is my pleasure

[@susansouthern6704]

Love your teaching style

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you!

[@j.manueldelarosa]

thank you for your videos. im starting with oleo. you are really learning me a lot of good tips.

[@lustenhouwer]

You are welcome.

[@1942Goo]

Excellent information. I will take it into consideration.

[@susyaguero8968]

🥰... qué gran aporte!!! Mil gracias Ben! Desde Argentina! Y gracias por permitir la traducción al español!!!! 💞💞💞❗❗❗

[@lustenhouwer]

Gracias Susy. La traducción no será perfecta como está generada automáticamente por KZbin

[@stellacan5281]

Thank you so much for your meaningful sharing. I love it

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you Stella.

[@thomasvickers3914]

Ben - you are phenomenal

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you Thomas

[@remyhdiephuis]

Brilliant post Ben. Let's carve the 10 into stones. Very funny the first tip. So much not you. And always a hidden reference to a great song.

[@lustenhouwer]

Specially for you!

[@Karl61290]

Great video Ben ...........full of useful information

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you Karl

[@JacquelineHahn1]

I felt nailed right from the beginning - I am always in a hurry and want to start the real work. I can't always afford top quality paint but I agree with you. Yes I am often stingy with paint was great to hear about putting it in the freezer.

[@lustenhouwer]

Glad it was helpful.

[@StorytellingHeadshots]

I love all your videos. You are so much fun to learn from! Thank you!

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you April.

[@0roboros]

Thank you Ben! I aspire to paint portraits this well and to master figures also! These tips make a lot of sense and I will try to apply them. My biggest fault as a painter is my limited time combined with poor time management/planning. I often skip right past drawing and into the underpainting. The quality of my work, particularly my perspective, suffers as a result. I tell myself that an underpainting is just a drawing with paint, but it's important to practice with pencil or charcoals as well I think. That way you can execute your underpainting with confidence.

[@lustenhouwer]

Absolutely right

[@eefvan5205]

Mooie uitleg Ben, en zoals altijd met goede voorbeelden in beeld gebracht. Ik volg je kanaal op de voet. Heb al heel veel van je geleerd. Je hebt veel volgers zie ik. Ga zo door a.u.b.

[@lustenhouwer]

Dank je.

[@davirosa]

Looking forward for the next vídeo - about transitions / soft edges! Thank you Ben!

[@lustenhouwer]

Coming soon!

[@armandosrd.l9610]

Very important advices. Thanks Master !

[@lustenhouwer]

My pleasure!

[@antonioblanco3086]

Very fun! thanks a lot Mr Lustenhouwer!

[@lustenhouwer]

My pleasure!

[@lynkosmer3813]

What great tips - as you say, a lot are obvious, but we need to be reminded often so it becomes habit

[@lustenhouwer]

Indeed.

[@mischabe3]

Thank you for the tips. Looking forward to your next video 😊

[@lustenhouwer]

More to come!

[@hercaselis1367]

Me encanta verlo una y otra vez , su gran enseñanza, tengo mucho que aprender, mil grcias

[@lisengel2498]

Very good advice - and remember good practice comes from doing -

[@lustenhouwer]

Indeed Lis.

[@susanhoskam2755]

You're such a good teacher, Ben! Quiet, but not boring. Dankjewel voor je goede uitleg steeds. Ook zo heerlijk rustig allemaal, maar toch niet te traag. Een Lust(enhouwer) voor het oog! :D

[@lustenhouwer]

Dank je Susan

[@nataliachacon9916]

So happy to find you Ban!

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you.

[@_ankit_]

artists always have very good taste of music too

[@lustenhouwer]

I dont know, but may be you are right.

[@naseerasreejith7518]

Very true❤

[@ajaloudenstudios2591]

Thanks Ben, great video that reminded me of some bad habits to get after!

[@lustenhouwer]

Glad to hear it!

[@ebo934]

Great and informative video. Thank you again Ben

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you so much

[@danilogomez5321]

Excelentes consejos, comentarios, recomendaciones. Gracias por su entrega y dedicación

[@lustenhouwer]

Gracias Danilo

[@jamesparsons1192]

Ben.love your work and your teaching skills.... and cousin Will plays like a dream! I might try to get his CD or download.

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you. Let my cousin know you apreciate his music.

[@sasa_candyy]

Always enjoy watching your videos! Thank you so much for your useful and valuable tips! Also your little drama as a clumsy hand in tip 1 is excellent! Can tell you have great sense of humor! XD

[@lustenhouwer]

Oh thank you!

[@irenea7956]

I just discovered your channel. Very helpful and very well explained. Thank you!

[@lustenhouwer]

you are welcome.

[@ilja106]

Thank you Ben.

[@lustenhouwer]

My pleasure

[@ismailonel]

Those are very useful tips Ben. Thanks a lot.

[@lustenhouwer]

My pleasure!

[@shahzadqurashi7728]

Brilliant information , thanks

[@lustenhouwer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rachelrocharibeiro682]

Thanks from BRAZIL............LOVE your tips!

[@lustenhouwer]

Thank you

[@angelpower8926]

Thank you that was great information especially about storing your plain in the freezer! Wow

[@lustenhouwer]

Glad it was helpful!