Portraits : Secret to Getting a True Likeness

It's no secret that the most important part when painting and drawing portraits, is getting a true likeness of the person you're trying to depict. So many amateur artists start their portraits with inaccurate drawings because they chose to do it the hard way before their skill level is up to doing a decent job. I say that they should use any tools at their disposal to help them achieve a true likeness UNTIL their artistic skills and experience no longer needs the help.
My new tutorial video, Drawing a Realistic Pear Using Charcoal is ready and out now to buy on Gumroad:
gum.co/NxtCt
In this video tutorial, you will learn one of my processes for drawing using charcoal. This is the same process I have taught for over fifteen years to my one-day workshop students. Once you get the hang of it, you will be able to create realistic-looking artwork within a day or two!
The process is divided into six separate stages for an easy-to-follow method that you can pick and choose which parts suit your style of working the best and adopt them into your workflow.
Once you understand the process and gain confidence, you can use it to create artwork of any genre.
Equipment and Materials I use:
Michael Harding Oil Paint - Lamp Black: amzn.to/3jQWHJ7
Arches 23x31cm 300GSM Cold Pressed Watercolour Paper - Natural White 12 Sheets: amzn.to/3djiKWw
Winsor & Newton Cotman round brush - size 4: amzn.to/33O8bHK
Winsor & Newton Series 999 16mm Cotman Synthetic Mop Brush: amzn.to/2GOH1rH
The Colour Book by David Lloyd: amzn.to/2SNGA3n
Jakar Assorted Grey Charcoal (box of 12): amzn.to/32P5aHg
Derwent Charcoal Drawing Pencils, Set of 6 with Sharpener: amzn.to/3eYpsjV
Generals Charcoal Drawing Pencils set: amzn.to/302AZKj
Winsor & Newton Tints A3 Pad - 6 Assorted Colours 24 Sheets: amzn.to/30KBLva
Frog Tape: amzn.to/3heKlbP
Tombo Mono Eraser 2 pack with refills: amzn.to/2ZmBa2J
'The Masters' Brush Cleaner and Preserver 1oz amzn.to/3c7SmhD
Zest It - Oil Paint Dilutant and Cleaner 250ml amzn.to/33AI7i9
My Printer - Canon iP8750 A3+ amzn.to/33pptcS
Continuous Ink System for Printer: bit.ly/3bTt1YP
HP Matte Photo Paper A3: amzn.to/3mhHe6r
Camera: Canon EOS M50 with 15-45mm lens: amzn.to/3kftZ4H
Camera Microphone: Rode VideoMicro: amzn.to/2FZpIn7
Desktop Microphone: SAMSON C01U Pro USB: amzn.to/35B4jvj
External Sound recorder: Tascam DR-40X 4-Track Recorder: amzn.to/35sQlvi
MUSIC TRACK:
Summertime by Tokyo Music Walker / user-356546060
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/al-summ...
Music promoted by Audio Library • Summertime - Tokyo Mus...
ALSO, FIND ME ON:
Website: www.tommulliner...
Blog: www.designmobiu...
Instagram: / tommulliner_art
Facebook: / tommullinerart
Twitter: / tommulliner_art
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for your support.
#learntodraw #charcoaldrawing #photorealism #realistart #londonartist

[@tommullinerart]

In-depth portrait tutorials will follow soon.

[@leeludlowart237]

Beautiful.

[@tommullinerart]

Thank you!

[@OverOut]

just amazing!!!

[@tommullinerart]

Thank you so much

[@crisalidathomassie1811]

Amazing and thanks so much. Blessings and take care.

[@tommullinerart]

You are so welcome

[@IceCenders]

Nice technique ideas! And I understand the usefulness of such techniques, especially when likeness is not optional My question is this though: is there a risk that by using a crutch to handle the proportions and positioning of the various facial features, we never actually develop the artistic skills and experience needed to one day be able to get rid of the crutch? I'm just wondering if those skills still grow in the background even if we use tracing paper or your printed-model-superimposed method. Of course I'm also aware that the skills don't magically grow just by repeatedly "falling down" and failing. TBH I don't really know what's the best way to get those skills to grow. I'm wondering what your opinion is on that.

[@tommullinerart]

This method is entirely to obtain the desired likeness in the most repeatable way possible. If you want to learn the necessary skills to be able to do this without the crutches, there's no other way better than drawing from first-hand observation like you see in the movies with people at easels, standing around a model or still life, measuring at arms length and drawing a bit, repeating this process until finished! It's not easy, it's slow, and prone to errors at every step of the way - but that's REAL ART and the Holy Grail of learning art. Takes a while to learn that way, but I intend to make a full series of short downloadable tutorials on learning to draw and paint from beginners to advanced artists. Coming soon!

[@IceCenders]

@@tommullinerart Thank you for your reply, looking forward to your tutorials! :)

[@imethan-youtubetips6111]

3:52 stunning. Thumbs up from a fellow creator 😀

[@tommullinerart]

Thanks, Ethan - means a lot. It's a constant uphill struggle as you know! lol