Figure Painting, Anatomy, and Portraiture
Painting the human figure is a very rewarding challenge. Here you'll find helpful tips, essential techniques, anatomy for artists, and step-by-step demonstrations on figure painting and portraiture.
Photo Gallery: Expressive Self-Portraits Painting Project
Browse through the photo gallery of self-portraits from the "Expressive Self-Portraits Painting Project" for inspiration and motivation.
Browse through the photo gallery of self-portraits from the "Expressive Self-Portraits Painting Project" for inspiration and motivation.
Painting Skin Tones
An in-depth look at how to paint skin tones (both realistic and expressionist), what pigment colors to use, and how to mix suitable skin tones.
An in-depth look at how to paint skin tones (both realistic and expressionist), what pigment colors to use, and how to mix suitable skin tones.
Figure Painting: Body Proportions
While no-one's built exactly the same, there are a few underlying rules which are invaluable for getting proportions accurate in figure painting.
While no-one's built exactly the same, there are a few underlying rules which are invaluable for getting proportions accurate in figure painting.
Figure Painting: Face Proportions
Facial features are crucial to our identity and while we like to believe we're unique, there are a few underlying rules which apply.
Facial features are crucial to our identity and while we like to believe we're unique, there are a few underlying rules which apply.
Figure Painting: Children's Proportions
Children are not mini-adults when it comes to body proportions. Babies' heads are extremely large in proportion to the rest of their body. As a child grows up, the head becomes smaller in proportion to the rest of the body.
Children are not mini-adults when it comes to body proportions. Babies' heads are extremely large in proportion to the rest of their body. As a child grows up, the head becomes smaller in proportion to the rest of the body.
Step by Step Figure Painting Demo: Blues
A step-by-step figure painting demonstration of painting a figure, concentrating on conveying a mood.
A step-by-step figure painting demonstration of painting a figure, concentrating on conveying a mood.
Self Portrait: A Step-by-Step Demonstration
An illustrated, step-by-step demonstration of a self-portrait painting I did in acrylics. Each of the six parts have an explanation of what I did in that step, what I felt was working and what not.
An illustrated, step-by-step demonstration of a self-portrait painting I did in acrylics. Each of the six parts have an explanation of what I did in that step, what I felt was working and what not.
Image Gallery: Figure Studies for Figure Painting
Figure painting definitely a subject where regular practise pays off. This collection of figure studies and sketches provides examples.
Figure painting definitely a subject where regular practise pays off. This collection of figure studies and sketches provides examples.
Mixed Media: Figure Painting Using Wax Resist
A step-by-step explanation of how the figure painting shown was created with pen, watercolour wash, and wax resist.
A step-by-step explanation of how the figure painting shown was created with pen, watercolour wash, and wax resist.
Why Artists Should Paint Self Portraits
What are the advantages to you as an artist from painting self portraits? Find out here...
What are the advantages to you as an artist from painting self portraits? Find out here...
The Thin Line Between Portraiture and Caricature
The Thin Line Between Portraiture and Caricature
The Thin Line Between Portraiture and Caricature
How To Work With Models For Figure Painting
Whether you've got a professional model or a friend posing for you, it's important to establish a good working relationship so you get the most from the sessions.
Whether you've got a professional model or a friend posing for you, it's important to establish a good working relationship so you get the most from the sessions.
Best Books on Figure Painting
A selection of recommended books that provide not only help on the basics such as anatomy, proportion, and techniques, but also inspiration through the paintings and drawings reproduced in them.
A selection of recommended books that provide not only help on the basics such as anatomy, proportion, and techniques, but also inspiration through the paintings and drawings reproduced in them.
Drawing Hair
A three-part tutorial on drawing hair from About.com's Drawing Guide.
A three-part tutorial on drawing hair from About.com's Drawing Guide.
The Differences Between Men and Women
There are some fundamental differences between men and women when it comes to anatomy. Be aware of these and it'll make your figure painting a little easier.
There are some fundamental differences between men and women when it comes to anatomy. Be aware of these and it'll make your figure painting a little easier.
Proportions for Figure Painting
Five articles setting out the fundamentals of human proportion, from how to use a measuring stick and overall body proportion, to the underlying skeletal structure.
Five articles setting out the fundamentals of human proportion, from how to use a measuring stick and overall body proportion, to the underlying skeletal structure.
Basic Poses
An excellent tutorial on understanding basic poses of people, whether sitting, running, or throwing something, using a stick figure.
An excellent tutorial on understanding basic poses of people, whether sitting, running, or throwing something, using a stick figure.
Putting Figures in a Painting
See how the simple act of putting some small figures in a painting shifts the focus from the surroundings to the figures.
See how the simple act of putting some small figures in a painting shifts the focus from the surroundings to the figures.
Reference Photos: Hands
A great variety of clear, black-and-white photos of hands in all kinds of gestures and poses. Click on a photo to get a larger picture.
A great variety of clear, black-and-white photos of hands in all kinds of gestures and poses. Click on a photo to get a larger picture.
Body Scan
Believe it or not, someone took the time to scan in a whole human body! Scroll down for the small arrow that'll take you to the next (or previous) page.
Believe it or not, someone took the time to scan in a whole human body! Scroll down for the small arrow that'll take you to the next (or previous) page.