Portrait Project

Option 1

Choose this option if you would like to practice and improve you ability to draw realistic portraits and shading using pencils or charcoal.

Option 2

Choose this option if you would like to do a colorful abstract style portrait. You'll be using watercolors, acrylics, or ink in any combination to make these.

For this option you will be drawing a portrait of yourself, a friend, or anyone you choose. You will need to have a quality photo with good lighting. Check the tips below for help, and take a look at the examples to see the expectations.

Materials

9"x12" drawing paper
pencils or charcoal

The photo on the left does not have good lighting if you're going to draw it. There are not enough shadows to create the form you need. On the right you can see the shapes the shadows and light make. The contrast (difference) between the light and dark areas make the right photo easier to draw.

For this option you will be layering colors and shapes on top of each other, and capturing the mood of your subject with color using color symbolism (see chart below).

NOTE: You can't copy another painting if you choose this option! You're computer should be closed while working! Make sure to watch the demo if you're not sure what to do.

Materials

Minimum 9"x12" watercolor paper. You can also use canvas or poster board for a larger painting.
Acrylic paints, watercolor, inks in any combination.

Tip 1 - use a grid

Drawing a grid on your image can help breakdown your image into smaller more manageable pieces. If you want to use this method email your photo to 10088103@k12.hi.us before the next class and I will print your image so you can add the grid.

Use a ruler to measure and draw out a grid from 1 to 2 inches on your printed photo. Draw this same grid on your drawing paper and adjust the size if necessary.

When drawing just focus on each little square and where the details on the photo cross the grid lines.

Tip 2 - use a black and white photo

Either find a B&W photo or edit a photo on your phone or chromebook. It can be easier to see the shadows and highlights in a B&W photo.

Look for photos with high contrast, or edit the brightness and contrast to create a noticeable difference between light and dark areas. This can help you see the shapes of the shadows and highlights.

Tip 3 - drawing hair

Approach drawing hair similar to everything else. Start with the overall shape of the hair - sketching lightly until you have the basic shape. Don't focus on the individual hairs!! If you do this you will get lost in all the details.

After you get the basic shape start slowly building up the layers to darken it. Keep your pencil or charcoal strokes moving in the same direction the hair flows.

Tip 1 - Work quickly and loosely

Use a pencil, paint, or ink to draw in the symbolic, basic shapes of the head and face. Don't worry about mistakes, erasing, etc. Move quickly and don't over think what you're doing.

Tip 2 - Leave your "mistakes"

If you make something you don't like leave it. Then use acrylics or another medium to paint over it and fix it.

Tip 3 - Paint what you feel not what you see

What does an angry brush stroke look like? What does a calm and peaceful brush stroke look like? Try to communicate emotions through your brush strokes.

Tip 4 - Don't use too many colors

Start with just 2 or 3 colors and avoid making everything too muddy. You can still use tints, tones or shades!

Tip 5 - Step back and take time to look at your painting

Paint a section, make a mark, and then stand back and look at what you painted for a couple minutes. Think about how it makes you feel, are the colors working, does it need something else? Don't be afraid to paint over something you may not like, or to try something and experiment even if you think it will not work. DON'T BE AFRAID OF MISTAKES!!!!

Tip 6 - Work in layers and use different tools

Keep layering your work. Because acrylics and watercolor dry quickly you can quickly build up layers. These layers create depth and interest.

And use different tools! Brushes can make all kinds of textures, but try using pallete knives, scrapers, tape, etc. to create interesting textures.

This drawing would get an A. Everything is in proportion and in the correct place. There's a good range of dark, medium, and lighter values.

This drawing would be around a B. Everything is in the correct place, and even though the eyes are too big they have good detail and work with everything else. More attention to shading and getting a range of values, especially in the hair, would bring up the grade.

This drawing would get a C. The basic details and shapes are there, but there are some small differences in proportion - like one eye is a little bigger. There's a good range of value on the mouth and the hair looks pretty good. However the nose is just drawn with simple lines and most of the face doesn't have a range of values.

This drawing would get a C or D. While the facial features are mostly in the correct place their proportions are off. The shading is just sort of all over and they haven't tried to define certain areas through differences in light and dark. This person is still drawing 'symbols' for things like the mouth and nose instead of focusing on the shapes of the shadows and highlights.

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