by Roberta Lee Small

Created on: October 25, 2008   Last Updated: December 29, 2011

I usually begin a portrait with an oval for the head in the size suited to the canvas. My next step is the placement of features. Section the oval off with a line across the center of the oval. Half way between that line and the chin, draw another line across. Then half way between the second line and the chin, draw another line. Study the face or the picture of your subject and determine if the eyes are above, below or on the center line.

Eyes usually have one eye space between them but this is not always true. The next line down is for the nostrils. The lower lip would rest on the bottom line. These lines are only a guide and each person's face is different. Some may have a longer chin or a shorter nose or a wider space between the eyes. Draw the shape of the face but do not bother with the hair at this point,

Once I have my features where I want them, I use Burnt Sienna color, and paint over the pencil or charcoal lines of the features then brush off the charcoal.

Whether I use oil paint or acrylics, I use the same paint colors for the flesh tones. My palette consists of Brunt Siena, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red, Burnt Umber and White. Each artist has their own mixtures but I find that with these colors I can get most skin tones.

This is how I mix them. I take a large glob of white and add Siena a little at a time until I get the right shade. Next I add a speck of ochre and a speck of red. This is my basic shade and I lighten it or darken it as needed, usually having at least three shades to work with.

I find it is easiest to begin with painting the eyes and then the shadows. If you have a hard time seeing shadows, squinting your eyes while looking at the face or picture will cause them to show up more. For a beginning artist I would recommend that you use a black and white image to work from, as the shadows are more pronounced.

All paintings are made up of shadow and light to give form, so always look for shadows. Find your darkest dark and the lightest light. You will find many shades of skin color in the face as it goes from light to dark.

Once you have some of your darks in use the flesh color in the other areas and blend into the darks. For deep shadows I use Umber or a mixture of red and green, but you will find many ways to get the depth of color you need. Do not be afraid to experiment.

When you are painting the whites of the eyes, remember that eyes are round balls in a socket. To make them look rounded instead of flat, mix a touch of black

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