Achieving Traditional Painting Effects in Digital Portraiture

Introduction

Digital art has become a powerful tool for contemporary artists, offering endless opportunities for experimentation and self-expression. Yet, many strive to preserve the charm of traditional techniques, such as oil painting or watercolor, in their digital works.

In this article, I will share the process of creating a portrait of an elderly man, showcasing how to achieve the effect of traditional painting in a digital format. We'll explore the stages of work, approaches to textures and brush selection, as well as the secrets to conveying distinctive mood and texture.

This approach allows for capturing the character and texture of traditional painting in a digital execution.

Preparation

Choosing Tools

Any tool that feels comfortable for you can be used, whether it’s Adobe Photoshop or an iPad drawing app. The key is to use a program that allows brush customization. Creating custom brushes that mimic oil strokes and brush textures was essential. These brushes bring the feel of handmade artistry, even in a digital medium. I recommend using mixer brushes and textured brushes that replicate the relief of traditional brushstrokes.

Two main types of brushes are needed:

1. Wet brushes – Ideal for blocking out large shapes and sculpting volume. Mixer brushes with a wet paint effect blend colors seamlessly, creating a painterly feel.
2. Dry and textured brushes – Used to add brushstroke effects and detailing.

Additionally, consider using a canvas texture as a base for the background if desired.

Collecting References

References were chosen to understand skin textures, facial structure, and light interplay. I looked for images with soft, diffused lighting and intriguing age-related features like deep wrinkles and a thick beard.

The main goal was not to replicate the reference exactly or achieve portrait likeness, but to use it as inspiration for creating a unique character design.

Stages of Creating a Portrait

Sketch

Start with a quick construction of the facial shape, avoiding harsh lines. The focus here is on softness and simplicity to keep the work feeling natural.

The main goal is to establish the basic proportions and placement of facial features. Avoid making the sketch too precise or detailed at this stage, as it might limit your freedom when applying broad color strokes later.

Blocking in Colors

After completing the sketch, we can begin filling in the main color areas to establish the overall palette and define the light and shadow balance.

I chose a restrained color scheme, primarily using muted pastel tones for the skin and adding soft greenish and pinkish accents to bring vitality to the piece.

For the initial color application, large round brushes with slight texture work well, as they help avoid a flat appearance.

Tip: Use a mixer brush to blend the colors smoothly, creating a natural and soft transition.

Creating Volume

Volume was built up through multi-layered brushwork. I gradually added details, working from large forms to smaller ones. Brushstrokes were applied in a way that preserved visible texture, mimicking traditional painting techniques.

At this stage, we can begin refining the face by adding layers of light and shadow. I also darkened the background to ensure the portrait stands out cleanly against the background.

Use medium-stiff brushes to gradually build up volume. To effectively work with light and shadow, first determine the primary light source (in this case, top-right). This helps emphasize wrinkles, cheekbones, and the structure of the hair and beard.

Refining the Portrait Structure

At this stage, we move on to more precise and subtle work with the facial structure, developing midtones to create smoother transitions between light and shadow. The forms become more realistic, while brushstrokes of highlights and shadows blend more naturally.

Here, I incorporated visible brushwork using bristle-textured brushes. The beard and hair were rendered with soft strokes to maintain their lightness and volume.

Detailing & Texturing

Now I concentrated on adding small details and textures, carefully working through all elements of the portrait.

For the skin, I switched to stiffer brushes to accentuate wrinkles, subtle imperfections, and refine facial anatomy. When painting hair and beard, I used a dry textured brush to achieve more variety and realistic detail. I intentionally kept brushstrokes visible to maintain that traditional painted look, which adds character and artistic quality to the portrait.

As a final touch, you might consider using classic painting techniques like glazing. Glazing – applying translucent layers of paint to deepen shadows – will enhance the volume and add richness to dark areas.

Conclusion

Digital art offers incredible possibilities, but it shouldn't lose the warmth and soul inherent in traditional art.

Combining digital tools with classical aesthetics helps create unique works. Textures, visible brushstrokes, and thoughtful light/shadow solutions will breathe life into your artwork, making it more expressive.

Don't be afraid to experiment. Mix styles, explore different approaches. Try various textures and brushes to develop your personal style – one that truly reflects your artistic voice.

To see more of my artworks and speedpaints, check out my ArtStation and Instagram.

Vita Shapovalenko, Art Director, 2D Generalist & Illustrator