A portrait painting can be a unique and wonderful addition to a bedroom, office or living room. Whether they show off a pet, a single person or an entire family, they can add personality to any room and can be displayed in a variety of ways.

They can also make a lovely and unique gift for a loved one. If you are artistically inclined, a portrait painting can also be a great way to show off your skills, and impress the recipient with your hard work and thoughtfulness.

Of course, you can check out Noble Portrait to have a professional handle your portrait painting for you to ensure it comes out flawlessly, as well. But if you still want to paint portraits on your own, this article is here to help. Read on to learn some portrait painting tips to help your paintings be more artistic.

Use a Value Study and Take Your Time
One of the best things a painter can do to improve their final piece is to use a value study (also known as a value sketch). This is essentially a simplified and basic drawing of your work, sort of like a rough draft that can allow you to get the “essence” of the portrait. These will often use different values for the level of lightness or darkness of a certain color or paint in a certain spot, too.

Sure, it can take some time to make one, but it can help serve as an outline and allow you to have a much nicer final product. Also, in a similar vein, be sure to take your time. Unless you are under a tight deadline for some reason, work at your own pace. The best paintings often take time and if you rush, the chances of making a mistake or sacrificing quality will rise.

Beware of Too Much Color



When most of us paint, portraits or otherwise, we are always tempted to use a lot of color. We may have several tubes of colored paint, and want to make use of them all. However, when doing a portrait, there is no need for a ton of color in most cases.

Most of the time you will only need colors for their hair, their skin, their eyes and maybe their clothing, depending on how close-up the portrait is. If you begin to use too much color, there are more chances for the color not to come out right, and the sheer amount of colors can often distract from the subject or theme of the portrait. Too many random colors added in and it can take away from the realism of the portrait you are attempting to paint.

Watch Out For Common Mistakes
Another important tip to keep in mind is to simply minimize the mistakes you make when painting. Painting is a very fine art, and sometimes a single small mistake can ruin a painting, so do your best to avoid them at all costs.

You want to ensure your surface is primed, you have the right brushes, and you paint as accurately as possible. You only get one chance, so be as careful as you can. Also, avoid adding too much detail to portraits, and get careful not to get colors mixed up with one another.

In conclusion, these portrait painting tips can allow you to create much more artistic paintings that look incredible and are sure to put a smile on the face of anyone you show or give them to.