Who's that girl...?

I'd like to share with you a painting that I have just finished! It's always at the final stage that I lose the motivation to add the finishing touches - I've been dragging this one out for the last three weeks! Finally though, it's done!

It's Zooey Deschanel, the actress who plays Jess in the series New Girl. I love her and the show so I thought she would be the ideal subject for my first portrait in ages. It's acrylic paint on a 10" x 7" canvas panel.


acrylic portrait

acrylic portrait

So, here's how I did it. First I found a high quality professional photograph here. Then I drew it out in pencil with the help of a grid to get it aligned correctly. I don't always use a grid, but I don't think it's cheating, I mean, look at Leonardo Da Vinci! I started the painting with the background colour grey, then moved onto a black/brown base colour for the hair.

how to paint an acrylic portrait

I did the hair very roughly as I knew I would paint over it, I just wanted to get some background colour on.

how to paint a portrait in acrylics

I did the same with the face, using a slightly watered down block colour all over.

how to paint an acylic portrait

Then I roughly added the shadows, ready to smooth out a bit later.

how to paint a portrait in acrylics

Some bright red lipstic came next....

how to paint an acrylic portrait

...and a bit more smoothing of the shadows to blend the lines.

how to paint a portrait in acrylics

Then for some block highlights in the hair, no individual hairs yet.

how to paint an acrylic portrait

I finished off the detail on the mouth and the nose, adding some little white sparkles to make Zooey's lips and teeth shine.

how to paint a portrait in acrylics

She looks a bit spooky in this next pic with her eyes blocked out with a white base coat! I added a few strands of hair to her fringe.

how to paint an acrylic portrait

Next, I concentrated on the irises, mixing in a couple of different blues.

how to paint a portrait in acrylics

I wasn't completely happy with her complexion, so I toned some parts down and painted a bit more shadow in the left cheek to add depth. The final touches were her eyelashes, fine hairs and highlights, and the shiny bits in and around her eyes - I think it's these final details that really bring a portrait to life.

how to paint an acrylic portrait

Finally my signature and there you have it!

Just thought I'd take this opportunity to remind you about my Etsy shop and my facebook page. If anyone is interested in commissioning a portrait, please leave me a comment and I'll get back to you ASAP! :)

I'm linking this post up here: Handmade Harbour, Raising Reagan, Blue Chair Diary Illustrations, Diana Evans, Paint Party Friday and Manon Popje's Illustrations.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Clare Willcocks: Who's that girl...?

Sunday, 29 September 2013

Who's that girl...?

I'd like to share with you a painting that I have just finished! It's always at the final stage that I lose the motivation to add the finishing touches - I've been dragging this one out for the last three weeks! Finally though, it's done!

It's Zooey Deschanel, the actress who plays Jess in the series New Girl. I love her and the show so I thought she would be the ideal subject for my first portrait in ages. It's acrylic paint on a 10" x 7" canvas panel.


acrylic portrait

acrylic portrait

So, here's how I did it. First I found a high quality professional photograph here. Then I drew it out in pencil with the help of a grid to get it aligned correctly. I don't always use a grid, but I don't think it's cheating, I mean, look at Leonardo Da Vinci! I started the painting with the background colour grey, then moved onto a black/brown base colour for the hair.

how to paint an acrylic portrait

I did the hair very roughly as I knew I would paint over it, I just wanted to get some background colour on.

how to paint a portrait in acrylics

I did the same with the face, using a slightly watered down block colour all over.

how to paint an acylic portrait

Then I roughly added the shadows, ready to smooth out a bit later.

how to paint a portrait in acrylics

Some bright red lipstic came next....

how to paint an acrylic portrait

...and a bit more smoothing of the shadows to blend the lines.

how to paint a portrait in acrylics

Then for some block highlights in the hair, no individual hairs yet.

how to paint an acrylic portrait

I finished off the detail on the mouth and the nose, adding some little white sparkles to make Zooey's lips and teeth shine.

how to paint a portrait in acrylics

She looks a bit spooky in this next pic with her eyes blocked out with a white base coat! I added a few strands of hair to her fringe.

how to paint an acrylic portrait

Next, I concentrated on the irises, mixing in a couple of different blues.

how to paint a portrait in acrylics

I wasn't completely happy with her complexion, so I toned some parts down and painted a bit more shadow in the left cheek to add depth. The final touches were her eyelashes, fine hairs and highlights, and the shiny bits in and around her eyes - I think it's these final details that really bring a portrait to life.

how to paint an acrylic portrait

Finally my signature and there you have it!

Just thought I'd take this opportunity to remind you about my Etsy shop and my facebook page. If anyone is interested in commissioning a portrait, please leave me a comment and I'll get back to you ASAP! :)

I'm linking this post up here: Handmade Harbour, Raising Reagan, Blue Chair Diary Illustrations, Diana Evans, Paint Party Friday and Manon Popje's Illustrations.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

26 Comments:

At 29 September 2013 at 11:48 , Blogger Liz said...

Absolutely amazing Clare, brilliant, so true to the photo xxx

 
At 29 September 2013 at 12:04 , Blogger MadBirdDesignsUK said...

That's a really good portrait!

 
At 29 September 2013 at 12:12 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Phew. I would have no idea at all. So much life in it.

 
At 29 September 2013 at 12:22 , Blogger Fiddly Fingers said...

Wonderful - I wouldn't know where to start!

 
At 29 September 2013 at 13:16 , Blogger Valerie-Jael said...

This is fantastic! Great portrait! Valerie

 
At 29 September 2013 at 13:41 , Blogger Ginx Craft said...

Very interesting to see the process.

 
At 29 September 2013 at 13:48 , Blogger Lisabella Russo said...

She's wonderful, thank you for sharing your process! You do amazing portraits!

 
At 29 September 2013 at 13:53 , Blogger Kate Robertson said...

This is beyond amazing, You've done a wonderful job. I loved seeing the work in progress.

 
At 29 September 2013 at 14:06 , Blogger manomij said...

I am glad you have added it to paper Saturdays and I am sure there is some paper in it some where lol. This is outstanding I totally love it. Well done for finishing it. ManonXx

 
At 29 September 2013 at 16:22 , Blogger Abigail Davidson said...

So cute and a very lovely painting!

 
At 29 September 2013 at 16:45 , Blogger Giggles said...

I love Zoey, and this is gorgeous...wow you did a fantastic job! I hope she see's it when she gets her google alerts!!

Hugs Giggles

 
At 29 September 2013 at 16:52 , Blogger Michellem said...

Absolutely amazing!! LOVE all the step out photos - thanks for sharing all of them!

 
At 29 September 2013 at 17:04 , Blogger Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

I am amazed by the realism in your painting. Blessings!

 
At 29 September 2013 at 19:19 , Blogger Unknown said...

oh my goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this painting is amazing work Clare!!!! I am so super thrilled you shared it with us for Sweet Saturdays....love this and love this actress!!! you have really captured her in this piece....well done!!!! Bravo!!!!

 
At 29 September 2013 at 22:40 , Blogger CatkinJane said...

Fascinating to see the process, and such a great result :)

 
At 30 September 2013 at 00:15 , Blogger Jan said...

It's nice to see it done in stages, it's lovely, I love the highlights on the eyes and lips, it what helps makes the picture come alive :)

Jan

 
At 30 September 2013 at 03:08 , Blogger ike said...

Eeek !!! Gobsmackingly AWESOME !!!! This is sooooo glorious Clare... another masterpiece !! :-)

Mega Hugz
IKE xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 
At 30 September 2013 at 08:23 , Blogger Cocoa & Heart said...

Wow, I love the way you took the pictures of the portrait - it just brought it all alive. Look really amazing.

 
At 30 September 2013 at 08:42 , Blogger Alexandra MacVean said...

What a SERIOUSLY amazing job you've done! OH MY GOD! And I LOVE LOVE Zoey! Thank you for inspiring us. :)

 
At 30 September 2013 at 09:23 , Blogger Unknown said...

A great portrait! I love New Girl - I think it's the new Friends!

 
At 1 October 2013 at 08:48 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Your very tallented

 
At 3 October 2013 at 01:42 , Blogger Borqna said...

OMG! Great portrait! Your very talented!
Blessings!

 
At 3 October 2013 at 02:03 , Blogger Handbags by Helen said...

That's amazing!

 
At 3 October 2013 at 10:46 , Blogger PaintingWrite said...

Wow, Claire this is stunning!! I love New Girl and think she is really beautiful and you've totally captured her expression! Superb!

 
At 3 October 2013 at 12:25 , Blogger JKW said...

Grief, I love it. I cannot imagine how all that would be put together. The expression, character and feelings are all in the portrait. Excellent. Blessings, Janet PPF I am not a robot, but having too much trouble trying to get this message to appear. . . .

 
At 1 August 2014 at 12:20 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

This painting looks so real! Just running short of words... Your work is really amazing! Love it!

 

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