Oil paints are smooth and easy to work with. They have a fluidity and are easy to blend. If you have ever wanted to paint someones portrait using oil paints, you will enjoy how easy it is to blend skin tones and to create natural shading. Here is a step by step guide to painting a portrait with oil paints.
Instructions
1. Prepare your painting area by laying down a drop cloth, setting up your easel, and setting up the stool where your model will sit . Make sure the stool is in an area that is well lighted and visible. Fill an empty can with odor-free turpentine to clean your brushes while you work and set it up next to you. Set up a hand towel so that you can clean your hands or your area. Lay out your brushes, linseed oil, oil paints and palette. You are ready to start painting.
2. Set up the model so that she is facing the direction you want to paint her and begin to draw her face onto your canvas. Drawing faces well takes practice and patience. Try to make the face as lifelike as you can.
3. Block out the face. Using your paints and a larger brush, block out the face using skin tone colors in generalized areas. If you see lighter areas where the light is hitting, paint those areas lighter using the colors that you see on your person. For darker areas that are shaded from the light, paint those areas using darker shades. If your paint is too thick, use your linseed oil to thin out the paints. Once your blocking is done, you can paint in the details.
4. Paint the details. Using a smaller brush, begin to paint in the details of the face, such as the eyes, ears, lashes, wrinkles and specific shadowing. Take your time when adding in the small details. Since oil paints do not dry right away, you may want to take your time, even days, to complete your painting. Once you are finished with the detailing and are satisfied with your work, set your painting aside and let it dry completely.
