3 Techniques for Incredibly Realistic Portraits

For Alex's Alla Prima Portrait Painting course visit:

In this Portrait Painting tutorial Alex Tzavaras shows you how to paint realistic portraits using an Alla Prima oil painting technique. Alex demonstrates 3 portrait painting techniques that will instantly make your portrait paintings more lifelike.

Alex Tzavaras is a contemporary realist artist offering portrait painting and alla prima oil painting tutorials. Alex teaches the traditional painting techniques artists used to draw and paint from life up until the start of the 20th century.

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[ADI-bhoi]

i almost freaked out when the reference photo blinked LMAO

[oyasumiio]

to summarize:
1. dont copy all the details, replicate texture
2. variate the colors within values
3. keep hard edges and accents to a minimum

[Standbackforscience]

This is a lot better than many of the other painting tutorials I've seen because it clearly explains the thinking behind decisions, instead of just showing what to do.

[eoinobrien]

That might just be the most useful ten minutes I've ever spent. So much really practical, and often counter-intuitive, advice. Thank you so much.

[safegourd]

I thought the video of the model was a photograph so I jumped when he blinked LOL.

Thank you so much for this video! I have been looking for something exactly like this — an oil painting demo that explains the “why” behind each choice. Excited to get back to my paints and apply the concepts you discussed.

[jjmcguckin]

This actually made a massive difference in how I paint people, easily the best demo on portrait painting I've ever seen.

[ryhlight]

I love how you actually explain why you do the things you do instead of just showing us what to do. It actually feels like im learning smthing and not just watching or copying someone drawing 👏👏

[maclanesmith]

I have watched countless videos like this and have never heard about several thing you mentioned. You didn't waste a second, never have I learned so many things about painting in only 10 minutes.

[kristijanradovac]

Im so high that I thought the guy in the corner was blinking…

[philiphoweartistwriter]

Very nice work, sensitive and realistic without pushing the form too much toward details. You are one of the few artists online who actually understand that you can add more color into skintones as long as the value of those strokes is in harmony with the surrounding area.

[RKW]

I am a self taught artist, I know most of these things! I figured them on my own before because they just FELT right, I knew I didn’t like edges for a reason! Artists do really figure it out themselves.

[DirtyColorArt]

This is how a proper painting tutorial should be like! Great work, Alex! I really enjoyed this one and hope you will be back with many more amazing videos as soon as possible. Have a great day!

[kevinclarkson]

I have never seen such a stunning set of techniques condensed into a crisp video I will revisit this many times. Thank you.

[thomasina]

Brilliant Alex as are all your videos. I particularly like the handling of the hair, both the beard and hairline. The interaction between soft and hard edges so well explained and shown by example. Superb session. Yes, I think it quite possibly was your best yet!

[miryamgarrote]

I have watched this a second time and took notes. For me, you are the best portraiture teacher on YouTube, I like your technique and your results the most. I have started painting the Juan de Pareja master copy. It's hard not to fall in love with his, and your painting.

[susanwong]

Best advise ever, short and straight to the point! This is by far, the best oil painting Utube! Thank you so much!!

[e.s.r]

I've painted portraits for 18 years but I've never considered the "focal eye" idea regarding hard edges. That absolutely blew my mind and made so much sense.

[reedfish]

Jesus that was probably the best video on painting I’ve ever watched, I’m not exaggerating here! Thank you! I shall definitely be watching more of your amazing videos :)

[Maranatha]

I'm waking up with a cup with a coffee on Thanksgiving day and throughly enjoying watching you paint. Your instructions are extremely helpful and you inspire me to take the plunge to paint portraits. I'm thankful for your videos.

[williambo]

great tutorial as usual. I will remember those key points. avoid hard edges but don't overdo the soft edges maybe 80 18 2