How to Paint a Portrait From a Photo | Step-by-Step Guide
Ok sister. I want you to know how to paint a portrait from a photo. Well, I want you to understand how it's done, that way you can understand what an artist will need when painting a portrait using a photograph.
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Paint a Portrait From a Photo
What artists look for when painting a portrait from a photo
This is expanded from the the ‘choose a photo” section of the Guide to Commission a Painting From a Photo.
When you commission a portrait you'll need to choose or create some photos to share with the artist. This is incredibly important because most artists will want and need good references. This is their model, and good models (along with good lighting, good colors, etc) make the job much easier and increase the artists’ chances of success.
You need to choose or create some photos to share with the artist. This is incredibly important because most artists will want and need good references. This is their model, and good models (along with good lighting, good colors, etc) make the job much easier and increase the artists’ chances of success.
The trick is, different artists look for different things or elements in a photograph to create a painting.
There are some generalities to pay attention to like: composition, good lighting (stay away from flashes, make sure there are shadows), enough detail for accuracy, large enough sizes so that the image isn’t blurry.
Top things to look at when painting a portrait from a photo:
1. Composition
2. Good lighting
3. Enough detail
4. Image Size (large enough picture and file sizes)
What I look for when painting a portrait from a photo
In my opinion (according to the way I paint), good enough lighting, and enough detail* for accuracy are the most important elements I look for.
*Keep in mind, sometimes enough detail and image size are related.
I can help with composition or color, but I can’t drastically change the lighting (especially the shadows) or imagine and add important details very well. And, in my mind, those shadows are an important piece to keep my paintings from looking flat.*
*Using the shadows to locate the larger dark shapes and then draw those in is called "massing". I tend to do this when creating oil portraits. This article from Artists & Illustrators explains more.
This is about portraits, but it works in other paintings as well.
Here’s an example of a landscape photo and painting.
If there’s good light, I can probably work with it.
Tip: a landscape photo and painting
Tip: One of the easiest ways to snap a landscape shot is when the light isn’t directly overhead. It washes out colors and details.
Here’s an example of portraits.
If there are shadows I can probably make it work.
If not, I’ll probably struggle with it and the painting won’t work well.
Here are some more examples.
Tip: Don’t use pictures that use a flash.
The flash often wipes out the shadows that work so well in paintings and drawings.
Tip: You don’t need a professional photographer to commission a painting from a photo.
In fact, a professional may use a flash which can eliminate the good shadows used in paintings.
Tip: Take your own pictures:
- Use the camera on your phone.
- Don’t use the flash.
- Use a single, simple light source like a window. Light shining from the left or right will create distinctive shadows that are great for painting facial features. You want shadows, highlights, and something in between.
- Make sure there are enough details visible in the shadows. Adjust the exposure for the dark areas.
- One way I check this is by using the Contrast setting / option in my photo app. Move it to the extreme and look at the shadows.
That’s it.
