Find out how to make lifelike portraits by painting in levels. Gustavo Ramos shares the insider secrets guiding his masterful perform in an oil painting demo of Mom and Little one.
Phase 1: The Wipeout
To begin this painting, I protected the area with a thin clean of transparent oxide red and ultramarine blue diluted with odorless mineral spirits. I used this combination with a rag and wiped the panel till I reached a light neutral tone. Then, I started out arranging out the composition and drawing by carving out the lights with a kneaded eraser.
Phase 2: The Drawing
In the following stage, I switched from a mass mentality to a much more linear solution to refine the drawing. By meticulously positioning straight strains on the panel, I could ascertain the rhythms and spatial interactions of the pose, doing the job from significant to compact. I held my conté pencil sharp at all moments and produced refined ideas of form and quantity as a warmup for the portray phase.
Phase 3: Painting the Entire
With my drawing proven, my up coming aim was to address the complete area with a layer of paint. Applying my complete colour palette, I attempted to do this in just one portray session, doing work broadly and hoping to comprehend the colour and tonal associations during the piece.
I was effectively trying to capture an accurate very first perception. I believe the best way to carry out this is by performing on the total painting at the moment rather than element by portion. Making use of old artificial brushes, I manufactured sporadic marks that remaining an organic really feel, which would demonstrate by in the finished painting.
In my previous pass, I intentionally leaned light, allowing for darker glazes in the upcoming passes to enrich the color and create a luminous “backlit” glow. I continued to be mindful of keeping my shadows transparent while adding more body to the lights.
The Benefits of Painting in Layers
Some parts of this portrait were completely resolved within two layers, while others took as many as five layers to achieve my desired refinement and effect. Some of my other paintings can have as many as 10 layers on certain passages.
Painting with many layers helps me achieve close control of color and tone; I get closer to the right tone with each layer. The Old Masters like Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt knew they could not “get it right” with just one layer of paint, so it would be disrespectful for me to assume that I can.
Another advantage of painting in layers is the different effects that arise from the paint build-up. These effects are impossible to achieve with a single layer and help transform the painting into something deeper and more lifelike, rather than just paint.
See more of Ramos’ portraits: 8 Masterful Gustavo Ramos Paintings with Brilliant Form and Depth
Meet Gustavo Ramos Live
https://www.youtube.com/observe?v=2sbKWzxmKWM
About the Artist
GUSTAVO RAMOS (b. 1993 Brazil) is speedily getting a notable and sought-after oil painter in the realm of portraiture. His operate has been exhibited in entire world class venues, together with the European Museum of Modern Artwork in Barcelona, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and Sotheby’s in New York City. Hook up with him on Instagram @gustavoramosart or check out his get the job done at gustavoramos.artwork.
