How to Paint a Person - Acrylic Portrait Painting Techniques

There are several ways to learn how to paint a person. Painting the "indication" of a person is probably the easiest. While painting a portrait of a person will take a bit more study, time and practice.

Adding people to paintings brings life to an otherwise plain piece of artwork. Take for example, a rocky beach scene. The painting may look OK with just rocks, sand, water and sky, but if you add a few people strolling along the beach, the painting takes on a whole new meaning.

To add figures to a painting simply block in a torso that is wider at the shoulders. Add two legs and a small round shape for the head. You can add indication of arms and hair as well. Then decide which side will be lighter and add some details or highlights on the subject's clothes and hair. It's always best to add the figures in the manner I've suggested. Sometimes adding arms or hair is not necessary and will actually make the figures look odd.

Painting a specific person or a portrait is much more time consuming. Obtaining a true likeness does require patience, practice and acquiring some good training or instruction. There are several methods that portrait artists use to get good likenesses. The first and most important thing is to get a good likeness in pencil. Then add color and other details.

When just starting out, try painting "indications" of people or figures. Try to avoid frontal views of people, that way you don't need to worry about faces and facial details. As you advance, you will get more comfortable and may decide to paint portraits. Adding people to your artwork and painting portraits are fun and also is a great hobby!

Together - with my step-by-step lessons and your desire to learn drawing and painting techniques we will bring out that true creativity inside of you and create beautiful works of art! To see acrylic tips, tricks, lessons and to Learn Painting Techniques visit my how to paint instructional site. The best way to begin painting is to follow prescribed instruction and get your feet wet. With a little practice, you will be well on your way to a rewarding hobby of painting. Let http://www.IamPainting.org show you how!