PORTRAIT ART TUTORIAL: Learn How To Create A Stylized Expressive Portrait From Sketch To Done, by Head Trip Creations on YouTube. 38 min 15 s.
- Video length
- 38 min 15 s
- Time to do it
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Prime the 12x16 canvas board with a thin coat of clear gesso so paint grips evenly. Let it dry fully before you draw.
Sketch the head and shoulders lightly with a No. 2 pencil. Keep the lines loose and check the proportions of eyes, nose and mouth before going further.
Go over key lines with a red Prismacolor pencil and a black Stabilo pencil. Vary the pressure so some lines stay soft and some stand out.
Mix joint compound with a little fine sand and spread it with a palette knife on areas you want textured, such as the hair or background. Let it harden, then sand lightly.
Block in the skin with pale blue, ochre and white acrylics. Work in thin layers and let each dry so the colours stay clean.
Add depth with sepia acrylic ink and a wash of instant coffee. Keep the washes light and build them up slowly.
Layer skin tone watercolours and PanPastels over the dry acrylic to soften transitions and add warmth to the cheeks and shadows.
Use grey and ochre oil pastel sticks on the edges and hair for smudgy, expressive marks. Blend with your finger or a cloth.
Finish with a black Sharpie or fine finishing marker for the eyes, nostrils and lips. Add gold acrylic accents last for highlights.
Seal the finished piece with a thin glaze of Golden glazing medium once everything is completely dry.
Tips and common mistakes
Let each layer dry before adding the next, or the colours turn muddy.
Test the joint compound texture on a scrap board first so you know how thick to spread it.
Keep the pencil sketch light so it does not show through thin acrylic washes.
Work in a ventilated room when using glazes and inks.
Questions
Do I need all the listed materials?
No. You can start with acrylics, a pencil and one black marker. The inks, pastels and texture paste add the expressive look but are optional.
How long does the texture paste take to dry?
Joint compound usually dries in a few hours depending on thickness. Spread it thin and let it harden fully before sanding or painting over it.
Can I use a canvas instead of a canvas board?
Yes, a stretched canvas works the same way. Keep the size around 12x16 so the proportions match the sketch.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
