Elena Rossi
Painting a portrait from a photograph is a common practice, with many artists producing critically acclaimed pieces using this method. While some may argue that it is harder to capture the likeness of a person from a photograph, especially one taken by someone else, as it can be difficult to see certain details, such as freckles or the soft hairs on their skin, it is still possible to create a beautiful and accurate portrait using this method. There are many companies that offer custom hand-painted portraits from photographs, and many people choose to commission paintings of loved ones or pets, or to include a deceased relative in a family portrait.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Quality of the final product | Painting from a photograph can result in a superficial and surface-level artwork. However, many artists have produced critically acclaimed and successful pieces from photographs. |
| Difficulty | Painting from a photograph can be challenging as the artist only has a static, two-dimensional reference with limited details, lighting, and angles. |
| Artist's skill | Painting from a photograph may require good drawing skills, knowledge of anatomy, and lighting. |
| Artist's creativity | Painting from a photograph may limit the artist's creativity and result in a slavish replication. However, the artist can insert themselves into the image and make compositional decisions to create a unique artwork. |
| Time | Painting from a photograph can be time-consuming, especially if the artist chooses to work from multiple photographs. |
| Tools | Painting from a photograph may require tools such as a projector, grid distribution, and specific paint colours for skin tones. |
| Subject | Painting from a photograph allows the artist to capture fleeting expressions and images that would be impossible to capture from life, such as quickly moving objects or views where it is difficult to set up an easel. |
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What You'll Learn
Advantages and disadvantages of painting from photographs
Painting from photographs has its advantages and disadvantages. One of the main benefits is that it can be done in the convenience of one's home studio, which is especially useful for artists who are also parents of young children. Photographs can also help artists take accurate measurements of objects or figures, avoiding the need to start over due to incorrect proportions. For example, an artist can use a photograph to capture a fleeting expression that is characteristic of an individual, which may be difficult to achieve when working from life. Furthermore, artists can choose the shot they like the most out of a series of photographs, allowing them to select the most authentic expression or composition for their painting.
However, one of the biggest disadvantages is that a photograph presents everything in equal focus, whereas the human eye sees selectively. This can result in a painting that pays too much attention to detail, becoming superficial and surface-level. When painting from a photograph, it is crucial not to become a slave to the photo. Artists must use their artistic license to adjust colours, saturation, and composition as they see fit. Additionally, painting from a photograph of a person one doesn't know can be challenging, as the photo may not capture their unique features, such as freckles or the soft hairs on their skin.
Despite these disadvantages, many artists have successfully produced critically acclaimed portraits from photographs. For example, Chuck Close incorporates the enlargement grid into his work, while Juan Francisco Casas imitates photographic "snaps" with ballpoint pen, elevating them to high art. Ultimately, the key to producing art from a photograph is to provide the viewer with more than just a replication of the image.
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Choosing the right photo
Lighting and Exposure:
Look for a photo with good lighting that captures the person's features clearly. Avoid photos with overly bright areas or underexposed sections, as they can make it challenging to distinguish important details. A single light source or a dominant light source is ideal for creating a good illusion of form in the final painting.
Angle and Perspective:
While a front-facing photo can be easier to work with, don't be afraid to choose a photo with a slight angle. Just be mindful that the features will line up differently, so you'll need to pay attention to how the eyes, nose, and mouth align from that perspective.
Details and Simplicity:
While a detailed photo can provide valuable information, too much detail can sometimes be a pitfall. Remember that likeness often depends more on large volumes and shapes rather than intricate details. Choose a photo that captures the overall essence of the person rather than getting lost in minor details.
Expression and Emotion:
Select a photo that captures the expression and emotion you want to convey in the portrait. Whether it's a joyful smile, a thoughtful gaze, or a relaxed pose, choose an image that reflects the mood and feeling you wish to portray.
Quality and Resolution:
Ensure that the photo you choose is of good quality and has sufficient resolution. Blurry or low-resolution photos might not provide enough clarity for the artist to capture all the nuances of the subject's face.
Multiple Photos:
Consider providing multiple photos if you want to include specific elements from different images. For example, you might want to include a loved one who has passed away in a family portrait, or you might want to merge several photos to create a unique composition.
Remember, the key is to choose a photo that resonates with you and captures the essence of the person you want to portray. It should inspire and guide the artistic process, allowing the final painted portrait to come to life with added depth and emotion.
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Preparing the canvas
Sizing
Sizing is an optional step that involves sealing the surface of the canvas. It creates a barrier layer between the canvas and the primer and paint layers, reducing the absorbency of the canvas. This step is particularly important if you are using oil paint and stretching your own canvas. In this case, you would use rabbit skin glue or a synthetic alternative to size your canvas.
Priming
Priming is a crucial step in preparing your canvas. It creates an even surface for your paint to adhere to and protects the canvas from natural corrosion. There are several options for priming your canvas:
- Acrylic Gesso: This provides a coarse and grippy surface for the paint to hold onto. Gesso can be applied in multiple coats, with the first coat diluted with water for a smoother finish.
- Oil Primer: This option provides a smoother surface than gesso and is suitable for oil paints. It can be applied with a brush or a Catalyst Wedge, which fills in the canvas texture for an even smoother finish.
- Clear Acrylic Medium: This creates an even surface without the tooth provided by gesso.
It is important to note that oil paint and gesso are not a good combination, as gesso will pull the oil out of the pigments over time, affecting the longevity and vibrancy of your painting.
Underpainting
Underpainting is not the same as priming. It is the first thin layer of paint applied after priming and is typically a tonal rendering of your final painting. It helps you establish the composition and values of your portrait.
Additional Tips
- Store-bought canvases: Many pre-stretched canvases are available for purchase, which saves time on preparing your own canvas. These canvases are usually primed and ready to paint, but you can add additional layers of gesso or primer for a smoother finish.
- Coloured grounds: Starting with a coloured ground, such as a black canvas, can help create a mood for your painting and influence your colour choices.
- Smoothness: If you desire an even smoother surface, you can add additional layers of primer or gesso, allowing at least 24 hours of drying time between coats.
Preparing your canvas with these steps will provide a solid foundation for your painted portrait, ensuring the final artwork is of the highest quality and durability.
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Painting eyes
Painting a portrait from a photograph is certainly possible, and many artists do it. However, it is not without its challenges. When working from a photograph, you are limited to what the photo gives you: tiny pixels of colour, often with areas that are out of focus or poorly lit. You don't get to see the subject from another angle or observe their mannerisms. This can make it difficult to capture the likeness of the person and create a sense of depth in your painting.
That being said, there are ways to overcome these challenges and create a successful portrait from a photograph. One way is to merge multiple photos to create a more comprehensive reference. You can also discuss the subject with the person who commissioned the painting to get a better sense of their likeness. Additionally, it's important to remember that a portrait doesn't have to be a slavish replication of a photo. As the artist, you can make compositional decisions that remove the finished piece from the starting point, making it an artistic work in its own right.
When painting a portrait from a photograph, the eyes can be particularly tricky to get right. Here are some tips to help you paint realistic eyes:
- Use the right colours: For the irises, a mixture of raw umber and white is a good starting point. The whites of the eyes should also have a hint of colour, as they are rarely pure white. Depending on the person and the lighting, they can be slightly blue, pink, brown, or a combination of colours.
- Get the shapes right: Pay attention to the triangular shapes from the iris to the corners of the eye. Also, make sure the eyes are the correct size and shape in relation to the rest of the face.
- Softening hard edges: Softening the edges of the eyes and eyebrows will make them appear more three-dimensional and allow you to accent specific lines, such as the eyelashes.
- Add accents: Use a little light red or burnt sienna in the corners of the eyes, and add a highlight with an off-white pink on the inner corner if it's visible.
- Pay attention to details: Notice the unique shape of the eye due to the facial structure of the person. Observe how shadows and highlights can affect the shape of the pupils and irises, making them appear less round.
- Trick your brain: Our brains generalize how things look, so to paint a realistic eye, you need to learn to paint what is really there, not what your brain is telling you.
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Adding personal touches
Creating a painted portrait from a photograph is an art in itself. While the photograph provides a reference point, the painting is a chance to add a personal touch and create something unique.
One of the challenges of working from a photograph is that it can be hard to capture the likeness of the subject, especially if the photo is of poor quality or the artist does not know the person. To overcome this, it is important to pay attention to the lighting and to choose a photo with a range of values from light to dark. Shadows on the face can add dimensionality to the painting. It is also beneficial to have an in-depth discussion with the subject or commissioner of the painting to gain a better understanding of their personality and physical characteristics.
The artist can then begin to insert themselves into the image, making compositional decisions that move the final piece away from the starting point. This could be through the quality of the brush strokes, the use of an unexpected medium, or the addition of elements not present in the original photo, such as light reflections in the eyes or strands of hair blowing in the wind.
The key is to provide the viewer with more than just a replication of the photograph. A painted portrait should offer a unique perspective and a sense of the artist's interpretation. This could be achieved through bold use of colour, cropping, or the addition of textures and layers.
Finally, adding personal touches can make the portrait more meaningful to the subject or commissioner. This could include merging multiple photos into one painting, such as including a deceased relative in a family portrait, or transforming an old, blurry photo into a clear, hand-painted portrait.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is possible to paint a portrait from a photograph. Many artists do this and produce successful pieces.
Photos allow you to capture images that would be impossible to capture from life, such as fleeting expressions, quickly moving objects, and views where it would be difficult to set up an easel. Photos can also be edited and enlarged on a computer to isolate interesting parts of an image.
A photo does not capture the full detail of a person's appearance, such as freckles or the soft hairs on their skin. It can be hard to avoid simply copying the photo, resulting in superficial art. Painting from a photo also means you miss out on the opportunity to develop your drawing skills by studying a subject in real life.
There are many services online that offer custom hand-painted portraits from photos, such as PortraitFlip and PaintYourLife. Simply submit a photo and they will assign an artist to paint it for you.
