10 Tips To Bring Your Portrait Paintings To Life

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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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[DarlitaDawn]

1. Choose a photo with distinct light and shadow
2. Avoid harsh lines. Lay down shapes and values. No outlines.
3. Understand the planes of the face.
4. Make your brush strokes go in the right direction by understanding the planes of the face.
5. Think and draw in 3D.
6. Simplify the teeth. Paint base form, then paint gums, don't paint bright teeth.
7. Soften the edges of the hair and the hairline.
8. Work on your painting upside down in the first third of painting.
9. Paint eyes softer. Don't outline the eye. Understanding the planes of the eye.
10. Make the background simpler. Use a similar color.

[GP-hfqi]

You are excellent at explaining the principals

[hannahbull]

This is the video I needed right now. I’m doing a self portrait for my painting class and struggling and I hope this will help.

[Ladyne]

This is so helpful! Your explanations are very concise and clear. And I love that you used the picture of John Locke from LOST with the orange peel in his mouth for the explanation on how to paint teeth! Made me laugh! 😂

[danny]

Appreciate the effort you give to provide us with free painting tips! Helps so much.

[jodysmith]

Thank you for these great tips. Very valuable. Of course, easier said than done.

[NickLMears]

You also taught me that crooked portraits are harder. If I want it crooked now I rotate the canvas and level the face vertically. Also rotate the reference.

[tutaart]

thank you so much you are a great teacher ❤

[leelee]

This is clutch! I needed to hear this as I teach myself oil painting. Thank you!

[shayaschonfeld]

Thank you Chris! You're videos have been an immense help to me in my painting. As an aside, just for a more cinematic effect if would be good if you took a wholesome sip from your mug once in a while

[marcusfc]

Your advice is fantastic. Thank you Chris!

[ruima]

Thanks a lot for your amazing tips! I don't paint portrait often, but I watched quite some tutorials including yours to help break the ice. The thing that always bothered/confused me was how artists lay down their brush strokes. One of your tutorials took lemon as an example but I still couldn't get the hang of applying it to face. Your new tips finally answered my question! Putting the model and your painting side by side and showing exactly which direction the stroke corresponds to which plane is such an eye opener for me. Thanks a lot for your continuing efforts to help people tackle the biggest challenges in portrait painting!

[tbatrics]

I'm extremely excited to work these tips into my learning. I feel like my portraits suffer similarly to this example

[europeanroyalty]

My understanding is to paint in a loose style, you need to be able to paint high realism first.I did not know this but it makes complete sense.

[samanthabotha]

Thanks again for an amazing video. I'm always surprised by how much I learn from you. I've been painting portraits for a long time, but your tips are invaluable. I make many mistakes you spoke about😔

[jillbassett]

Thank you zo much for all your guidance with oil painting. Your work is phenomenal and diverse in all your subjects. I like how you provide such great insight in a simplified and enjoyable way. Humble Genius and really good with teaching-- i/ve learned so much. Will continue to strudy /focus/stay inspired and keep it moving no matter what. Makes life so beautiful- Never stop learning anf ONWARD and UPWARD. Peace Love Respect

[summerparadiso]

Thank you so much! You really break down everything into palatable tips.

[KayInMaine]

I think yours and the student's version of the photo are both really good! What you're teaching is for artists to be more painterly and loose.

[Irisseesall]

I can’t wait to take as many of your courses possible! Your the best-

[kelleywheeler]

I have a BFA with a concentration in oil painting and I continually learn things from your videos. Thank you!!