Roll over to preview

Alice Neel, one of the most overlooked American artists of her generation, committed absolutely to painting portraits at a time when it wasn’tfashionable to do so. Our artist contributors turn their attention this month to the many aspects they view as vital to painting successful portraits. Mark Fennell explores the importance of using the limited Zorn palette of just four colours to paint a portrait. Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year finalist, Sally Ward, goes on to explain and demonstrate how the observation of what she calls ‘tonal hierarchy’ can help to build a compelling portrait. Mark and Sally focus on different approaches to painting portraits in oils, Paul Talbot- Greaves argues on the other hand that watercolour is a superb medium of choice for portrait painting because of its transparency and ‘naturally luminous finish (that) reflects the quality of light seen on the skin.’ Paul demonstrates the development of a portrait using the wet-in-wet technique, highlighting why it plays such a vital role in watercolour portraits, and he sets an exercise to try to help master the technique. Alongside Mark, Sally, Paul and Jo, our other experienced artist contributors offer further myriad ideas, suggestions about materials and techniques and subjects, to inspire your drawing and painting over the coming weeks and months.