The SECRET to Making a Portrait Look Like Your Model

Learn my MOST Effective Oil Painting Techniques in Only 4 Minutes:
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For Alex's Alla Prima Portrait Painting Course visit:
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In this Alla Prima Portrait Painting tutorial, Alex Tzavaras shows you the secret to making a portrait look like your model.
Learning how to capture a likeness in a portrait painting is one of the toughest challenges an Artist can face. But while you may think accurately drawing features like the eyes is the key to success, there is an ESSENTIAL STEP you need to get right in the early stages of a portrait painting which holds the SECRET of how to acheive a likeness in a portrait painting. Get this step wrong and you will definitely struggle to acheive a likeness in a portrait.
To see Alex's Portrait Painting Tutorial on how to paint the eyes:
• How to Paint Eyes - Th...
To see Alex's Portrait Painting Tutorial on how to paint the mouth:
• The Most Important thi...
Connect with Alex:
/ alex_tzavaras
alextzavaras.com

[@afriendlyfox]

I was caught by surprise when you said that it's like recognizing someone from far away. I am now going to pay closer attention to what happens in my head the moment a blob of shapes suddenly turns into a familiar face

[@Welther47]

Your videos are the best to help people learn.

[@TheMg49]

It's amazing how artists such as yourself are able to accurately block in facial and head features right from the start of a painting. I try to copy the technique, but so far I just can't do it very well. I think I just started too late. There's the paint by numbers thing, but some of the numbers are so small that I can't see them, and some of the places to paint are so small that even with the smallest brush I can't stay in the lines. Maybe I'll try cityscape line drawing with rough, outside the lines watercoloring. Anyway, it's fun watching you and other accomplished artists make really cool paintings. Thanks

[@marywebb1138]

It's never too late. I'm 77 and working at it almost every day. Sometimes, it's frustrating , but I keep trying. So should you.😊

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

You are never too old. The answer lies in mastering the fundamentals, learning to see shapes, values and colour. If you continue to struggle with portraits, then work on an easier subjects. Do still lives, then plaster casts. It's like any seriously difficult activity. If you were learning to play the piano you wouldn't start by trying to play Chopin, you would start by learning chopsticks. When you see really accomplished representational painters, they were either lucky enough to find teachers or they had the self discipline to practice simple exercises until they mastered the fundamentals. But most people start by trying to paint portraits or complicated landscapes (usually from photos). But these are more advanced subjects. It's the equivalent of starting a sport like boxing and jumping straight in the ring, you will get beaten up.

[@TheMg49]

@@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting Thanks. Yes, of course you're correct. Fundamentals need to be learned first, and are the most important aspect of any skill. Ok then, back to the drawing board. 😃 Thanks for your very helpful demonstrations and explanations.

[@TheMg49]

@@marywebb1138 I thought that I had replied to your comment, but I don't see it here. Anyway, thanks for the encouragement. I'm 76, have lots of hobbies, and will definitely keep trying to develop my skills.

[@citadelofwinds1564]

I aspire to paint portraits, and this is one of the most useful videos I've ever come across. I will apply this key principle in my future work. This is truly a useful channel for painters at all stages of their painting journey.

[@LidyaMorozova]

You are AMAZING at explaining things and making it click for anyone, I've been watching videos for about a year, haven't come across a channel even close to being this good until now. Thank you for your lessons, I love the way you paint, I see so much of Sargent in your work!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you so much Lydia!

[@majdrup]

Currently trying to get better af doing block ins with portraits, it can be quite tricky! It's the middle value that always seem to make or brake the early block in for me. Really cool video! I'm currently using a limites palette of transparent oxide red, ultramarien blue and titanium white and planing on sticking with it until I figure it out.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

`thank you Frentis! Glad you like this video. Using a limited palette will definitely make it easier to focus on tonal values.

[@majdrup]

@@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting I got it from your earlier videos and i seemed like such a simple way to make eliminate a lot of choices, and focus on the essential of tonal values and color temp.

[@festia3725]

Thank you so very much. I'm also ready and waiting.

[@markw.2441]

Thank you for these essential aids in making progress in portrait painting. So happy I found this video!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Mark, I'm glad you did too.

[@AdamBarkerThe]

Wow this is so well done, very inspiring.

[@BorisHuguenel]

Absolutely fantastic, thank you 🙏

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Boris!

[@paulbridgman3437]

Excellent tuition 👌 Thank you once again 🙏

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Paul! Glad it was helpful.

[@bahumdinger8361]

Thanks, as always...great stuff

[@Joekatbetances]

Good job Alex 🎉keep it up

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you José

[@richmoab]

Thank you for posting again. I always love your videos

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you! Glad you like them.

[@PappuDas-fq1ll]

Yes' I am waiting sir.

[@lisengel2498]

Impressive and very well demonstrated process - 🎵❤️🎶

[@jonroads8281]

Absolutely brilliant video, best painting channel on KZbin.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much Jon!

[@war-painter]

Good clear video, no BS. Appreciate you show your actual painting instead of filming “yourself” like so many artists do, yapping away about nothing. You PAINT like a painter. Bravo. I learned something!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much! Glad it was helpful.

[@laurieyork5186]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you so much.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thanks for watching. Glad it was helpful!

[@annstuart8886]

I love your demos. Thank you!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Ann!

[@Davidbirdman101]

Heeeeelllppp! I just can't do it!!!!😂😂 Love your videos man!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thanks!

[@RebazJoanroy]

Amazing knowledge. Thank you

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Rebaz!

[@pch2230]

Wonderful demo.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you!

[@blairlogan3133]

Great tips…thanks.

[@MedianRay]

you’re amazing ❤ thank you thank u

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you! Glad you liked it.

[@victoriaperez1189]

Alex thank you so much for your help! I am determined to get this process. You’re a great teacher , I look forward to more information in the future on portraits. Would you be able to give ideas to work with not aging children’s portraits? Have a great day,

[@jrlakin370]

Great, thanks 👍

[@andyquinn1125]

Brilliant!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Andy!

[@karlwissmuller5631]

Thank U very much

[@dulcineadurance1391]

❤

[@vernonsteinkamp1088]

Your demonstrations are great but im not following why the shades of skin tones are not the same as the photo, is this on purpose?

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

To some extent, that is unavoidable when filming. I'm working from life so the exposure on the camera that took the shot of the model, might be different from what my eye sees and the other camera that filmed the canvas? You might also see a difference between the colours on the palette and the canvas?

[@williambo5989]

is this what Bouguereau meant when he said" that the subtlety of accents, in contrast with large planes, is what makes a drawing great"?

[@paulwalters461]

When you re-watch your videos, do you feel you got the skin color accurately from what looks to be an in-person alla prima? Or do you see the video and think the colors were not accurate enough? I am assuming the camera recording your painting is not accurately capturing what you're putting down?

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

I don't colour match precisely, I try to think about the relations i.e value, temperature, intensity, but I hope my colours are failry accurate to what I see from life? But yes, when filming the camera often records the colour differently between the painting, palette and the model?

[@kajwilstorp1483]

okej then i now better how to think you have fine way to explain alex i like that have you find a merseders to buy

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Kaj! Very glad you think so.

[@pranjalshelar3830]

At the end of the first hour the subject painted looked like jacky chan to me😂

[@Welther47]

The likeness is great. One thing though: the painting looks like a black man with curls...

[@peg4692]

Thank you Alex valuable info.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Peg!

[@rakeshchoudhary7391]

You are the God of beginners portrait painting artists sir

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much Rakesh!

[@stellateddy4078]

God of misleading people. One of his Old Masters copies is a monstrosity. I haven't watched any of the others. One was enough.

[@O.G.1995]

​@@stellateddy4078 What exactly is the misconception, I’m a beginner artist and I would like not to get misled? I am using a translator, I hope I was able to get my point across. Thank you.

[@war-painter]

I’ve been painting for 60 years and have a Masters Degree from Royal College of Art, London. I think Simplify is great and not “misleading” at all. Everyone needs to go back to basics when it comes to painting the face. Get painting people. This isn’t about “copying” Old bloody Masters! This is about blocking in the planes of a FACE. The relationships of areas of spaces. Good video Alex! Some jerk wants to rip off Old Masters got dissatisfaction? Boo hoo. Take a photograph.

[@jakeym5564]

​@@stellateddy4078 stfu grid/trace using artist

[@tevinsinks8059]

Great video and excellent work. It's very helpful and I'm a pencil artist new to painting.

[@ricardosobral5563]

Oh my God that photograph just moved

[@user-bu9nb8wr6e]

Thank you for that, that's brilliant.

[@brianvanderspuy4514]

The problem with first placing those larger shapes is of course that they have to be exactly spot-on correct, otherwise the portrait will not even vaguely resemble the person. And I have always had this same problem with this: I simply cannot see whether the shapes are correct or not, until I have added quite a bit of detail - at which point it becomes clear that I got them completely, utterly wrong! :-)

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thanks Brian. The larger shapes don't have to be perfectly accurate. As long as there isn't anything majorly wrong, you should be able to recognise your subject, like seeing them from a distance. Then as you model the form and add the smaller shapes, you can fine tune the drawing.

[@war-painter]

Relationships between shapes is constantly judging- back and forth- adjusting- This is really a good exercise for the brain, especially the aging brain. It’s like learning a new language. I should imagine as a brain exercise for folks over 70, it can help stave off dementia. If working from photos, pick a color photo that has really good lights and darks and some reflected lights in the darks to add a flicker of interest in the shadows. Using a flat B &W photo (I just tried that) is inadvisable.

[@sweethomes674]

Excellent explanations and techniques 😊

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thanks!

[@mrivera10001]

Awesome tips , thanks

[@rajunarkar]

Thank you bro.

[@daeds.paints]

Hello Alex, I'm starting to paint and I'm debating if I should learn how to draw first as I am clueless about drawing aswell. Where should I start and with what? There's a lot of information, so much that I kind of get lost. I want to paint in the style of Rembrandt but I love Sargent portraiture work aswell. Thanks a lot for all your knowledge!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

I use the term "drawing" to refer to making the shapes accurate, rather than referring to a medium like charcoal or pencil. So you need to be able to draw i.e. get the proportions correct, in order to paint. This is why, traditionally students at art school would have spent a few years drawing from casts before they start painting. However, when people work in pencil they tend to think in terms of outlines. Line drawing can be very beautiful and is a skill in itself. But drawing in line doesn't;t work well with paint, because paint is a liquid you will invariable paint over your lines. IN order to draw with paint, you need to be able to see the whole shapes that make up your subject, rather than their outlines. So un essence, learning to paint requires learning to see and draw in a different way. I get, this is hard to explain in the abstract, so here are a few videos on the subject which I hope demonstrate things a little more clearly? You can also draw the way you would with paint, in shapes or masses, with charcoal. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ol7Xemytg8qfpcU I also have a course on "Mass Drawing" i.e. learning to draw with paint on my Patreon channel: www.patreon.com/simplifydrawingandpainting

[@karlwissmuller5631]

In my opinion youre the greatest Help to find Out how to Paint Alla prima Style.. i Tried it at Home.. and Made a big step Forward because of it

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much Karl! I'm glad it was helpful.

[@Biiirdiii]

I’m so glad I stumbled upon your channel because been binging your channel for the passed few days ❤ these videos are always so helpful

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Well done for finding my channel! I'm very glad you're finding my videos helpful.

[@motlba]

Fantastic. thanks for these videos!👋👋

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Monica!

[@bhupendrar2899]

Thank you so much for sharing This tutorial.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you for watching. Glad it was helpful!

[@asamtaviajando8388]

Why do you chose such constrastemos colors for the background?

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

This was a demo, so tbh I didn't give too much thought to the background. For this portrait I used a grey cloth, but because of the yellow colour of my model's shirt, I decided to make it more violet which is complementary of yellow. As a general rule, when you have a fair skinned model it is better to use a cooler colour background. If you use something warm for the background, it can make their flesh appear too cool and pale.

[@asamtaviajando8388]

@@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting wow, ok. Thank you.

[@mubirujoshua8131]

Nosense not his skin colour

[@stellateddy4078]

This channel should be removed for misinformation 🤡

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Obviously you know more about painting than I do, please tell me what I should be doing differently?