Drawing lessons - illustrated lesson notes for teachers and students

How to paint portraits - some practical advice.

and security while the others' sent him mad. Who would say one was a better artist? Here I have combined two

famous portraits to make the one. I wonder, had they changed places, how then would they have painted?

DRAWING WITH PAINT AND THE INSIDE OUT AND OUTSIDE IN TECHNIQUES

Inside out:

When painting a head and shoulders portrait I usually establish the rough proportions of the sitter by way

of freehand line. I plan the future positions of the areas of maximum contrast and interest. Next I paint the

eyes mouth and nose. In other words I work from inside the overal shapes. As I reach the boundaries I

find they often suggest themselves. Some I might like to edge or define while others I let fade away. In

general it is appropiate to paint inside out if the figure inhabits more than 50% of the canvas and outside

in if it is less.

Outside in - in painting a 'genre' picture or mural (small figures in a large painting) I carefully draw the

shapes and figures and fill them in rather like (cartooning) painting an ancient fresco. My drawing in such

circumstances must establish a rhythm and place (reality).

STUDENT ACTIVITY: As I used the Mona Lisa to discuss the relationship between hands, mouth and eyes the

student should find another example and do the same. Also find the derivation of the word 'cartoon'. Allow 40min.

GO TO ... Painting hair

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