3 Key Techniques for Painting a Realistic Artwork
In the following paragraphs, I’m going to teach you 3 techniques that you need to know if you want to paint a work that looks and feels realistic.
I call them the 3 KEY TECHNIQUES because they are the most powerful ones in my entire library of realism techniques.
Using just these 3, you can achieve artworks that amaze even the most astute observers.
Let’s begin…
Technique 01: Lights and Shadows
To create the lights and shadows of any object within a piece, I use a 3-Step technique.
Step 01: Applying Base Color
The base color is an average or intermediate color, which defines the real color of the object.
For example, in a face, the color we determine as “skin color” is the base color.
So, as you can see in the following image, we first apply the skin color all over the face, leaving some white spaces which I’ll explain the reason for later.
Step 02: Applying Highlights
The second step is to apply the highlights, and for that, we must conduct a preliminary analysis of the model to know exactly where to place them.
Remember that each area you illuminate will be a point of volume on the object, so placing a highlight in the wrong place can distort the object and make your work lose coherence.
I recommend you take a moment to analyze the model; you just have to take a careful look.
Continuing with the example of the face, here you can see the highlights applied.
Step 03: Applying Shadows
The third step to adding Lights and Shadows to an object is to apply the Shadows.
The process is similar to applying highlights, but this time we darken the areas opposite to the highlights.
At this point, your artwork will start to gain volume.
Here’s something very important you should keep in mind…
In areas where the shadows are very dark, you shouldn’t apply the base color; you should leave the space blank.
Why?
Because when you try to paint shadows with a very dark color and apply it over the light base, the colors will muddy and ruin the work.
So, if the color difference is significant, leave the space blank.
Unless you allow the base to dry very well before applying the shadows so they don’t mix on the canvas.
Here you can see the shadows applied on the face.
So, reviewing the 3 steps you must follow to give volume to objects by applying lights and shadows, you have…
Step 01: Apply Base Color
Step 02: Apply Highlights
Step 03: Apply Shadows
And here’s the step-by-step process to show you how the volume increases at each stage of the process:
As you can imagine, it’s not straightforward to demonstrate the complete development of this process in writing. However, if you’re interested in receiving a TOTALLY FREE video via email to see how this technique is applied in detail, click on the following link:
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Technique 02: Gradient
The gradient is a fundamental technique for painting any type of artwork; you must know it like the back of your hand.
We use the gradient in skies, land, faces, flowers, and even to soften the edges of an object.
One of the techniques I use is based on 3 simple actions…
Brush, Clean, and Dry.
That easy!
What I do is brush strokes over the two tones to be blended so that they mix, achieving smooth color transitions without leaving harsh lines.
But for this to happen, it’s important to constantly clean and dry the brush to prevent it from becoming saturated with paint and ceasing to function.
So, the cycle you should repeat to create a gradient is Brush-Clean-Dry until you achieve the desired result.
Here I show you the difference on a surface before and after applying the gradient technique:
In addition, within the Realism Techniques training, I teach two other techniques for creating a gradient.
The Sticking Technique is special when we need to transition quickly or less progressively from one color to another.
This technique allows me to paint backgrounds of different tones, skies, plains, and any large surface.
On the other hand, the Mounting Technique is ideal for creating gradients with a smooth, progressive appearance without leaving harsh lines.
I use it in places that require a more delicate finish.
For example, to create highlights, shadows, edges, and any quality detail.
These techniques are straightforward and work excellently to give volume to objects or accentuate lights and shadows.
Both are explained in the first module of the Realism Techniques training.
And the truth is, I don’t want you to come away empty-handed if what you really want is to learn these techniques, so here’s a link to a special page with an 85% discount for this product.
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Technique 03: Color Mixing
Color mixing is a crucial part of achieving realism in our artwork.
And specifically in Lights and Shadows, there are two common “bad practices” among beginners (and not-so-beginners) that lead them to ruin a mixture.
The first is using “White” for highlights.
Not all mixtures for highlights can be achieved by lightening the base color with white…
Why?
Simple, white cools down the mixture, and this effect doesn’t always look good.
For example, in the following image, I show you the difference between lightening the color red using white and using yellow.
As you can see, if we lighten the red color with yellow, the mixture remains warm, whereas if we lighten it with white, the mixture cools down and loses color harmony.
There are other cases, such as a sky blue, where we can indeed use white to lighten the color, precisely because the mixture is already cool.
And the second “bad practice” is darkening with black color.
Something similar happens with black as with white; black color takes away the essence of the mixture and loses realism.
That’s why it’s always better to darken a mixture with color (blues, earth tones, reds, etc.) rather than with black.
And here’s a secret…
The only time I use black color is when I need to darken the mixture excessively for a very dark shadow.
This allows me to add an extra depth to the artwork.
But beware! Only for that last very deep “spot”, nothing more than that.
By the way, if you’re wondering how I calculate the exact color of the Lights and Shadows in my artwork… it’s simple!
With the Color Wheel.
If you’d like to learn how I do it, on the next page, you can enter your email address to receive it along with a FREE KIT that also includes an example with the color mixing I just explained.
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Well, these have been the 3 key techniques for painting a realistic artwork.
I hope I’ve been clear and helpful for your art.
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Until next time,
Mario Marinez.
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