Painting a portrait can be a fulfilling task for even an experienced artist. The art of portraiture requires accuracy and detail. Not all artists are able to accomplish the feat and still maintain a likeness of the person they are striving to portray. The job is made easier if you remember that under every painting is a drawing.
Gather your Materials
Decide on a paint medium. This is an important step because it will determine what kind of surface you use to paint your portrait. If you are using a water-base paint go with a watercolor paper. It is made to absorb water and you won't experience the frustration of warping your paper. If oil paint appeals to you use a canvas to display your work.
Sketch it Out
Taking the time to sketch out the image you are going to paint will establish guidelines and help decide the placement of your figure. If you are drawing from life, place your subject in a well lit area and draw just the contours of your subject's face and features. Limit your drawing to lines. Don't try to add value or shading in this step. Once you have a suitable sketch and are happy with your layout you're ready to begin painting.
Painting
Start by painting a wash over your drawing. This is a light coat of the medium and the purpose is to cover the area you intend to paint. This will further help establish guidelines and save time. You should still be able to see your pencil marks under your wash. Use them to start adding value and contrast to your work. Pay attention to light and dark areas and fill them in accordingly with paint that matches the coloring of your subject. Pay attention to shapes and patterns in the hair instead of trying to render each strand.
Use smaller paint brushes to add details and fine points to your work. Be sure to put lights in your subject's eyes and notice that the whites of the eyes and teeth are not stark white. If you are working with watercolor try using watercolor pencils or regular colored pencils to further refine your image.
If this is one of your first attempts at painting a portrait, concentrate your efforts on establishing a technique and getting the placement right. Once you've mastered these objectives capturing the likeness and essence of your subjects will come, just keep trying.
