How to Paint Living Portraits (North Light Classics)

Master artist Roberta Carter Clark shares secrets for infusing portraits with life.

Since its original publication, this best-selling book has earned a loyal following among students of portraiture. Back in print by popular demand, How to Paint Living Portraits has been updated to help today's artists discover the joys of this time-honored tradition. Hands-on instruction covers a range of ages and ethnicities, offering a practical approach to creating successful, spirited portraits in charcoal, oils and watercolor.

Includes 23 exercises for capturing recognizable likenesses, feature by feature

Offers instruction on painting the figure, hands and clothing

Addresses common stumbling blocks of skin tones and hair colors

Illustrates simple and complex lighting set-ups for achieving multiple moods and effects

Features 5 step-by-step portrait demonstrations in charcoal, oil and watercolor

Clark brings fifty years of experience to this book, from technical expertise on color and composition to practical considerations of working with a live model. One of the most comprehensive guides ever written on the subject, it's a valuable reference for any skill level.

Rev. ed. of: How to paint living portraits. 1990.

Roberta Clark's How to Paint Living Portraits is a practical and in-depth approach to portraiture. You'll work through a series of detailed drawing exercises of the face, body and clothing as a basis for painting lively, successful portraits in watercolor and oil. The book Includes 24 step-by-step exercises and additional techniques and exercises show how to stage interesting lighting situations, use different mediums, avoid common errors and capture a subject's unique likeness.