Portrait Mediums & Styles

A Guide To All Mediums

Many times it comes down to budget, but if that's not the case, it can sometimes be a hard task to choose the right medium and style for your portrait. I have created a simple guide to help you choose medium and style.

If you would like my professional opinion about which medium & style would suit your photos, do not hesitate to email them at any time. I paint portraits in both detailed and painterly styles, view the differences below.

Detailed or Painterly Oil Paintings

The impressive medium which achieves great realism and gives a feeling of luxury

Oils are suitable for any realistic or painterly representation. When painting detailed, I spend a lot of time layering paint and allowing it to dry between stages. I also focus on all parts that makes a realistic painting.

When painting in a painterly style, I focus mainly on color harmony, light and expression.

If you are ready to invest some money for the privilege of owning a detailed oil or if you like painterly styled oils, then this medium is for you.

Detailed Pastel Paintings

The exquisite medium which achieves unique softness, vibrancy and drama of dark and light

Pastel paintings are suitable for any realistic scene. Everything from head studies, bull bodies and fully painted backgrounds can be created.

Even though both oil and pastel paintings are painted in full color, the mediums are quite different. Pastels are painted with soft sticks and pencils on paper.

A completed pastel can never be touched on the suface. If you would like a detailed pastel painting, reckon on framing too.

Detailed Pencil Drawings

The traditional and classic medium which gives impression of detail and contrast

If you like details, drama or don't mind there is no color in artwork, then the traditional graphite pencil drawings are for you.

Again, everything from head studies to full bodies and fully drawn backgrounds can be created with pencils. All pencils are all drawn on Fabriano 5 paper and are delivered with a mount /matt.

Painterly Conté Crayons

The classic and painterly medium which achieves soulful smoothness with a dreamy feel

If you like sepia colored and painterly styled portraits with a touch of artistic drama, then this medium is for you.

Again, everything from head studies to full bodies and fully drawn backgrounds can be created with conté, but with a simpler style.

All conté crayons are drawn on colored or white paper and are delivered with a mount /matt.