WE DRAW A PORTRAIT WITH ACRYLIC PAINTS

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Learning to paint a portrait with a photo is better in black and white. Print the photo in black and white, it is advisable to print a photo of the size that you plan to make a picture, but this is not necessary. After you print the photo, draw it into equal squares of 3X3 cm in size, try to draw in even parallel lines! Use a ruler.
Next, draw a sheet of paper or cardboard into squares of the same size, if you want to draw a portrait of the same size as the original photo. If your format is larger (as in the photo), then draw the sheet into larger squares, for example 4x4 cm, but the number of squares should match. Next, number all the squares in the photo and on the blank sheet in the same order.
(to the first photo) We begin to make a pencil sketch, here you will begin to use the squares, do not try to redraw the whole picture in general. Look at each square as a separate picture and copy the main lines, the numbers will help you navigate in the picture.

It is best to work on a vertical inclined plane, for example on an easel, but if this is not possible, then it is possible on a horizontal one, in which case try to move away from the picture from time to time and look at it from afar, it is easier to see perspective errors.
At the sketching stage, you don’t need to draw small details, pay attention to the main components of the drawing and copy them as accurately as possible. Use a medium hard pencil HB or 2HB. Try not to stain the paper with numerous erasers of the pencil, then the paint will lie evenly.
(to the second photo) We proceed to work with paints. To work with acrylic does not need a lot of water, it is needed, in the same amount as when working with gouache. Prepare brushes of different sizes, the wider the choice, the better, but even 2-3 brushes are enough. First, mark for yourself the darkest places and the lightest areas, paint over them as shown in the figure. Next, begin to soften the transitions from white to black.

(to 3 photos) Carefully monitor the shade in the photo and supplement it, then work on the lips, eyes and nose with small brushes. Be patient, do not start to draw for more than an hour without a break. If you made a mistake and didn’t make the right touch, then wait until the paint is completely dry, and put on top the desired layer, acrylic well overlaps the previous tone, even dark. When drying, acrylic remains the same color as when applied, it does not fade like gouache, keep this in mind when applying the tone. Do not overdo it with water, otherwise the picture will "flow". Acrylic is washed off with water, but not very well, so try not to get too dirty.

The main thing when writing a portrait is to show the emotions of a person, so you can omit some minor details, but pay attention to the expression of the eyes, lips, nose, general proportions.
Do not be discouraged if the first time something does not work out, practice and everything will work out.