Depicting a person's features accurately is one of the most difficult things to do well. Getting their personality on paper or canvas can be even more challenging. It is always fascinating and deeply rewarding when it works.

On this page, I show the step-by-step process of creating a portrait.

The step-by-step process of creating a portrait:

I begin with a good photo of the subject, usually one that I've taken myself, where I've been able to control the lighting, focus, angle, and so on.

Next, I work up a pencil sketch, trying to capture as much detail as possible. I'm aiming for accuracy and a sense of the subject's personality in this initial rendering.

It can take some time to get it right, but it's important, because it's the framework on which everything else is based.

When I'm satisfied with the underdrawing, I start to add in colour.

In this case, I'm using acrylic washes. The lightest values of yellow and the palest skin tones are applied first.

I then start laying in midtones to begin to define the areas of light and shadow. At this point, the painting is still in its early stages.

More to follow as the work progresses ....