EXPRESSIVE
PORTRAITS
PAINTING I
How are can
portraits be
expressive?
An expressive
portrait shows
more than just
the a subjects
appearance and
personality, it
also shows their
mood and
emotions.
How do we make art that shows emotion?
Body Language: Any human emotion can be observed just by the
way we hold our bodies.
What does a sad pose look like?
Joyous? Afraid? Angry? Religious? Humble? Aggressive? Friendly?
Empathy: If your pose is successful, we will identify with the
emotion you are trying to display. This is called empathy.
Color adds
expression!
How do the colors
and tones in the
face affect the
overall feeling of
the picture?
What happens
when we change
it up?
Compare the two paintings. How does the
color affect the mood of the scene?
This painting was
made by Henri
Matisse.
It is a portrait of
his wife.
How does the use of
color in this
portrait effect the
mood and
expression?
Henry Matisse, Madame Matisse
Texture:
How does the
roughness and
darkness of color
choice and
application say
about art critic
M. Gustave
Coquiot, painted
by Picasso?
Style:
Mondigliani used
of line, proportion
and flattened
colors.
What feeling does
that give the
portrait?
Amedeo Modigliani,
Portrait of Madame
Hayden
What do
you think
this artist is
trying to say
about
himself?
You can make
a portrait very
expressive.
You will create an expressive portrait!
• self-portrait
• a friend or
family
member
• a complete
stranger
The goal of this assignment will be to create a portrait that
is interesting and artistic, rather than just informational.
Although these portraits are drawn well, they are not
expressive. The compositions are not exciting and basically
pretty boring.
Take a look at this self portrait again. How has the
artist made this more interesting?
What about in this one?
These images show the viewer looking straight ahead. Are they
still dramatic and interesting?
Be creative with how you approach a portrait.
Your composition is important, and it’s not
always the front of the face that creates a
successful work of art.
Don’t be afraid to make expressive marks.
The importance of value should never
be overlooked.
Using contrast
by putting white
next to darks
creates a
dramatic effect.
You may also think about adding props to your portrait
to help convey a message.
Tips for Success
 Do not take “mug shots”
(straight on views)
 The background should
be reflective of you, or
tell a story.
Consider props (hats, hooded
sweatshirts, etc. details …
José Ferraz
de Almeida
Júnior
(Brazil 18591899)
The Guitar
Player, 1899
Lighting in photos
Avoid using the flash to
prevent red eye.
Indirect light makes soft
and beautiful pictures. It
also makes one side of
your subject's face light
and the other shadowed,
which creates strong
emotion and mood.
When taking photos to paint from, try photographing
at different angles.