Lifelike Heads

PROJECT 4: YOUNG BOY

Very often in a portraitist’s career, he or she is forced to use photos exclusively. Sometimes it makes everyone’s life easier, and sometimes there’s simply no choice. For example, I’ve quite often been presented with an old, weathered, blurry photo of someone who has died. I find that my knowledge of the head allows me to greatly improve on the photo. Regardless of why you may need to work from photos, you should trace them instead of copying them freehand. The client has sent you a reference, and you might as well give them back the exact outlines they’ve given you. Any creative alterations can come after the photo has been traced.

Selecting a Reference I always choose a good photo that the client has approved (then it’s ...