10 Great TIPS for Portrait Painting that Work

MY BRUSH SET
Painting Books I Like
Materials I like

Water Mixable Oils

Water mixable mediums

Filming

Hi, I am the son of two artists and began painting in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia before I could walk. I was a rare combination of artist and athlete so I moved to Los Angeles in 2008 to play football for USC. I left the team my sophomore year to focus on painting and filmmaking, applying the same focus and discipline from my football career to my art. I primarily work in oils, and spend most free days painting "en plein air" in my new home of Sarasota Florida.
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[bloke]

Oddly enough I work primarily as a digital artist yet I find these trad tutorials more useful than than the digital ones. I think it's because they deal with the substantive nature of colour which really needs to be learned no matter what the medium.

[nicolejackson]

Because it dries quicker than oils, I'll sometimes prep the canvas with a base color and block out basic shapes and colors with acrylic paint 1st, & then building on it with oils.

[lindamarsh]

Love your tips and your work! Morgan Freeman is one of my favourites and you did justice to his handsome face! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us! 🇨🇦👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🥰

[jrlakin]

I’ve really found green to be useful in my skin tones

[jjb]

After oil painting for three years pretty much non stop. I just now found your videos and all your tips are spot on

[yovbmfr]

You are a great teacher, I learn so much from your videos💖

[---hmuy]

Me: got stuck with my acrylic portrait
Paint Coach: i guess it's my time to help you

[lindacarrasco]

I love your teaching. I already took the course and signed up for the monthly paintings. Thank you Chris.

[amandahmorreale]

I would love to know more about the business aspect you should do a video on other ways you can make a living with art I feel like if I'm fully submerged I'd create amazing pieces more often. You really inspired me to start doing more you're so right all your tips have helped! I would love to spend more time doing what I love. Sending positive vibes!

[MG-iqlr]

One of the best instructors on YouTube

[Anothernammee]

Just enrolled in your course ! I’m so excited !
I have a BA in studio art but honestly I feel like I was battling oil the whole time I was at school.
It wasn’t even art school (just another university). Sooo I’m so excited to tackle your class to get reacquainted with the fundamentals! (:

[stephsmanicshenanigans]

I am on my third portrait painting (of the same subject too), I just started because I got a bunch of paint and supplies for free. I use a grid to sketch out the features to be the right proportions and then start with the darkest parts/biggest parts, then go back in for smaller spots and then detail, since I’m not finished on the third portrait I’m not sure how it will look but already compared to the first two I did, it’s SO much better! My first two almost looked like barbies with their features, but this third one has a much more realistic look to it. I’m hoping to paint like Rembrandt, his portraits are my favorite. I’ve been teaching myself to draw portraits for a few years but hadn’t made much progress until quarantine happened

[tigistlulithmeshesha]

Thanks for ur advice its really helpful, im from Ethiopia currently working portrait paintings which they preferred to be a bit abstracted, actually i already done realistic but struggled to make it messy but interesting.

[rosaliefunk]

I work in pastel. I also work from dark to light. I find your tips very helpful. Thank you.

[veronicapagelaflin]

It's appreciated coach!! It's so generous of you. Absolutely grateful. 🙏

[pranjalshelar]

Amazing ... A good looking artist with great hair and supreme level of teaching skills with a balanced physique.... Is there anything you can't do 🙁🙁🙌🙌 bow to you

[LauraFordArt]

Great timing as I'm about to start a portrait tomorrow! Thanks Chris, some great advice as always xx

[lilli]

I will use these tips and tricks! Thank you so much, you inspire all of us

[yogieswar]

The lighting and background is perfect and awesome painting and tips 👌

[ThurmanArt]

Wow, Your portraits have so much expression in their face, love it. You have a great teaching voice 😍