How to paint a realistic portrait using acrylic paint

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Using acrylic paint for portraits is a match made in heaven! Learn how to create the ultimate retro portrait with this easy step-by-step tutorial. Follow me on Insty: and sign-up to my MadSkillz MasterClub newsletter: and get ready to take your art to the next level!

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Acrylic paint sometimes has a bad reputation for being difficult to use, but with a few key techniques you’ll be able to harness it’s quick drying times to create vibrant portraits.

I’ll be discussing how to start in the “ugly” stages with a quick application of block colours, and then show how the painting progresses with more refined layers. I’ll also be demonstrating how glazing medium can be used to correct colours and boost shadows and highlights in the finished piece.

The model for this piece is Tamara, and you can find her on instagram: and the reference photo was taken by Matt Fieldes Photography:

This video description contains an affiliate link to Amazon, meaning that if you buy any of the products mentioned above, at no extra cost to you, I get a small commission for the sale which helps me keep on making rad tutorials!

46 Comments
  1. Linda Robinson says

    Wow! you make it look so easy! fabulous!

  2. Irina Jevdokimova says

    Looked better before the outlines.

  3. Iris Bauer says

    Jea, i love it verry much

  4. beautiful!

  5. Joy Doke says

    before you add those outline, it looks like those vintage illustration painting. But after you add those outline, it has this pop comic vibes on it

  6. Josie Love says

    My best friend is my very first commission and I’m so nervous to do a portrait because it’s not my strong suit but I truly believe I can do it! I doubt myself but this video made it seem more do-able and less intimidating, THANK YOU💗

  7. Kayelle Gonzales says

    Hi! Do you use a matte medium in the beginning to help with the blending, or do you just rely on water? I'm just beginning to learn how to paint with acrylics and I'm doing it self-study from Internet resources. Was wondering if I should already start using a matte medium to aid in blending for realistic portraits, or if you suggest I rely on water first so i get the feel of it/how to gauge proper water:paint ratio/proportions

  8. Katie Calls It says

    Beautiful 💖🙂💖

  9. Priya Patil says

    I too love painting. 🤗

  10. Oh my God I am have been looking for your channel for so long I think I seen your painting on a TV show called instant hotel did you sell this painting to someone named BONDI? Beautiful ❤️❤️

  11. Mickey Morris says

    Sooo. Instant Hotel. Babe. Netflix. Anyone else.

  12. Febi Setiawan says

    amazing

  13. Julie K says

    You have a beautiful talent!!

  14. Persephone Black says

    Have you ever used the Golden Open acrylics? They have a reallyong open time so blending is a breeze! They can be thinned with open fluid medium too.

  15. Mark Bonham says

    Very cool, short and sweet and loaded with content! What's not to like?

  16. Rashid Hussain says

    Omg

  17. ann kiepea says

    Where did you get your frame from?

  18. dudepersonvids says

    It's a matter of taste, but I actually really liked this right before the outlines were finished. I have done a lot of photography and some digital painting, but this is a really useful tutorial as I get ready to do my first acrylic painting!

  19. Judith Scull says

    Thank you. Wanted to see the inks used over acrylic paints and you did that!

  20. Sagar Ali says

    Wow so nice

  21. karinzania ayu says

    Nice tutorial n nice artwork.. 😍😍

  22. Hayden Burgess says

    Super helpful thanks so much!

  23. Mallory Dykes says

    When you use baking paper are you talking about parchment paper?

  24. Dylan Rasch says

    You are really good. Watching your video helped me correct a habit of blending the areas of the face too much. It all came to me after watching your use of layers and glazing liquid. This video was extremely useful to me. Thank you.

  25. Cyrus Brooks says

    I'm new at painting. Just doing some paint by numbers. But should you always outline? Or usually? When is it good to do or not?

  26. Jay Xx says

    I am a chef and i love painting ❤️

  27. BlackAngel says

    thanks so much! I am doing a project and have never been taught to paint, my art teacher didn't really teach us much.. this helped me so much! and I got a really good percent xx thank youu!!!

  28. Carlos Martinez says

    ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ best & most helpful

  29. gift2say says

    great! Thank you for your tutorial.

  30. Kate Elliott says

    Thank you for sharing your techniques in such an easy to digest format. I learned everything I wanted to know from this tutorial. Looking forward to seeing more from you!

  31. Tiger Lily says

    love this! can you please explain the mixture for the skin tones to get your "ugly phase" completed?

  32. Dylan Wallace says

    I kept trying to find a good portrait tutorial, and I must say, yours is by far the best. Good job (:

  33. May Dn says

    beautiful………………………

  34. Nickxxxs says

    First ever tutorial I’ve watched without fast forwarding or clicking off. Fabulous! Thank you!

  35. TheDustysix says

    Lana Del Rey.

  36. Monica Bilicic says

    Gorgeous. What paints have you used ?

  37. Cody Smith says

    Really really good tutorial for painting portraits. Includes more explanations than other videos I could find.

  38. Amethyst Crow1102 says

    Your painting was too tacky for me. I think I’ll stick with oils. Something about acrylic looks too bland to me.

  39. Steven Skadal says

    Wonderful tutorial!

  40. jeffrey brooks says

    THANKS YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ! I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR "THIS" VIDEO.

  41. Sammy JayJay says

    .. i liked it better without the thick outlines you added at the end.

  42. Mike Nino says

    Pretty good.

  43. Ray Abella says

    You should have put the background first….

  44. Amy Outen says

    This the only tutorial I could actually understand. I love the outlines you did at the end. Do I have to have the glaze or is there an alternative I could use?

  45. Amazing Ayah says

    This is so helpful thank youuu❤️❤️❤️

  46. Tatjana J says

    Wow Respekt! So beauty. But i like better Without outlines. Very cool done

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