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Portrait Drawing for Sale

Portraiture has existed for many centuries. The Greeks produced portraits for funeral and religious rituals; they aimed to “bring back to life those who have passed away." In the Roman era, portraits were often reserved for the ruling figures of society; for example, a warrior would have his portrait painted to illustrate his bravery during a battle. In Europe, it is only during the late Middle Ages and Renaissance that Italian and Flemish painters started to practice the art of portraiture.

In the 14th and 15th centuries, painters created works commissioned by wealthy patrons. Painters sketched out preliminary freehand drawings, which were often then approved by the patron, before beginning to work on their oil paint or, later, watercolor. Facial features were sometimes improved to the detriment of realism, although some painters were known for their ability to reproduce their models' expressions. Some artists worked in great detail while others focussed more heavily on trying to capture the real personality of their model.

For much of its history, portrait not only told a story but it also conveyed a message of power, promoting a well-controlled image to the wider population and establishing the sitter's authority through its circulation. For example, Florentine elites would use paintings and drawings as a mean of controlling their image and establishing their authority. Portraits were a way for someone to live on long after their death. Today we find the faces of aristocracies and the European bourgeoisie in many museums, immortalized by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci or Rembrandt.

The results obtained through drawing depended largely on the tools and materials used. Red chalk was very popular (especially at the beginning of the 16th century) to represent the facial features and the warmth of the skin, while charcoal produced harder lines and pastel created a softer, colorful touch. Artists adapted their technique depending on the subject and the emotion they wanted to convey. The commercialisation of pencils in the nineteenth century made it a popular medium for artists and amateurs alike. Pencil art became more popular and the tool was often used for sketching portraits.

One thing is certain; capturing facial expressions is a demanding art form and the art of portraiture requires a lot of practice. Drawing a face down to its finest details may take hours to obtain the desired result: a protruding jaw, the shape of a skull, thick brows, smiling eyes, dilated pupils… Even more difficult, are children's portraits? It can be difficult to get them to stay still for long. The artist has to be skilled enough to immortalise these men, women and children full of life.

Gradually, sketched portraits became less and less realistic but increasingly daring and experimental in terms of colour. On Artsper, discover drawings by Jean Cocteau, Julien Calot, Alice de Miramon, Philippe Pasqua, Sabine Danzé, Bahareh Navabi and Stéphanie Stindel.

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Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre, Davide Cicolani

Sans titre

Davide Cicolani

Fine Art Drawings - 82 x 54 cm Fine Art Drawings - 32.3 x 21.3 inch

€1,200

Fine Art Drawings, Mikato, Nino Devdariani

Mikato

Nino Devdariani

Fine Art Drawings - 61 x 43 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 24 x 16.9 x 0 inch

€2,000

Fine Art Drawings, Rejoicing, Haibat Balaa Bawab

Rejoicing

Haibat Balaa Bawab

Fine Art Drawings - 70 x 100 x 4 cm Fine Art Drawings - 27.6 x 39.4 x 1.6 inch

€6,196

Fine Art Drawings, Benedetta, Marco Fariello

Benedetta

Marco Fariello

Fine Art Drawings - 67 x 51 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 26.4 x 20.1 x 0 inch

€2,000

Fine Art Drawings, La Libia, Gabriele Galantara

La Libia

Gabriele Galantara

Fine Art Drawings - 29 x 24.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.4 x 9.6 x 0 inch

€1,100

Fine Art Drawings, Ma petite, Miquel Wert

Ma petite

Miquel Wert

Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 40 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 15.7 inch

€1,150

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled II, Felix Treadwell

Untitled II

Felix Treadwell

Fine Art Drawings - 14.6 x 20.32 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 5.7 x 8 x 0.4 inch

€3,708 €2,966

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre, Bazooka Joe

Sans titre

Bazooka Joe

Fine Art Drawings - 32 x 40 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.6 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€1,500

Fine Art Drawings, Encensé 2, Catherine Carrée

Encensé 2

Catherine Carrée

Fine Art Drawings - 50 x 40 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€900

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Marcel Gromaire

Untitled

Marcel Gromaire

Fine Art Drawings - 40.5 x 49.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.9 x 19.5 x 0.1 inch

€6,900

Fine Art Drawings, Sans Titre, Nina Khemchyan

Sans Titre

Nina Khemchyan

Fine Art Drawings - 17.5 x 17.5 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 6.9 x 6.9 x 0.1 inch

€1,100

Fine Art Drawings, Été, Marine Walon

Été

Marine Walon

Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 20 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 7.9 x 0.2 inch

€350

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre, Gérard Garouste

Sans titre

Gérard Garouste

Fine Art Drawings - 78 x 58 cm Fine Art Drawings - 30.7 x 22.8 inch

€14,000

Fine Art Drawings, Calcio, Alexander Daniloff

Calcio

Alexander Daniloff

Fine Art Drawings - 17 x 20 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 6.7 x 7.9 x 0.1 inch

€90

Fine Art Drawings, The Cash Machine, Otto Schade

The Cash Machine

Otto Schade

Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 21 x 0.01 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€900 €675

Fine Art Drawings, Ryan, Ryan Mendoza

Ryan

Ryan Mendoza

Fine Art Drawings - 70 x 100 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 27.6 x 39.4 x 0.1 inch

€5,500

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Sasho Violetov

Untitled

Sasho Violetov

Fine Art Drawings - 31 x 21.5 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.2 x 8.5 x 0.1 inch

€440

Fine Art Drawings, Sans, Djess Erdeven

Sans

Djess Erdeven

Fine Art Drawings - 35.5 x 42.5 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 14 x 16.7 x 0.4 inch

€1,200

Fine Art Drawings, Woman, Pierre Georges Jeanniot

Woman

Pierre Georges Jeanniot

Fine Art Drawings - 47 x 31 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 18.5 x 12.2 x 0 inch

€450

Fine Art Drawings, Numéro 2, Olivia Moélo

Numéro 2

Olivia Moélo

Fine Art Drawings - 21 x 14.5 x 0.001 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8.3 x 5.7 x 0 inch

€380

Fine Art Drawings, Messi, Sergio Lazo

Messi

Sergio Lazo

Fine Art Drawings - 35.6 x 27.9 x 2.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 14 x 11 x 1 inch

€1,183

Fine Art Drawings, Bénédiction, Dan Solojoff

Bénédiction

Dan Solojoff

Fine Art Drawings - 38 x 28 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15 x 11 inch

€250

Fine Art Drawings, Uppercut, Herve Malcom Thomas

Uppercut

Herve Malcom Thomas

Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€240

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Simón Vázquez

Untitled

Simón Vázquez

Fine Art Drawings - 100 x 70 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 39.4 x 27.6 x 0 inch

€850

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, José María Mijares

Untitled

José María Mijares

Fine Art Drawings - 21.75 x 47.625 x 2.54 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8.6 x 18.8 x 1 inch

€5,632 €5,069

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Oswald Aulestia

Untitled

Oswald Aulestia

Fine Art Drawings - 36 x 36 cm Fine Art Drawings - 14.2 x 14.2 inch

€2,200

Fine Art Drawings, On her back, Isabelle Floch

On her back

Isabelle Floch

Fine Art Drawings - 130 x 90 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 51.2 x 35.4 x 0.8 inch

€3,500

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Fritz Zolnhofer

Untitled

Fritz Zolnhofer

Fine Art Drawings - 52 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 20.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€1,400

Fine Art Drawings, Composition, Sandro Chia

Composition

Sandro Chia

Fine Art Drawings - 39 x 29 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.4 x 11.4 inch

€10,000

Fine Art Drawings, Kobe Bryant, Tony Jagas

Kobe Bryant

Tony Jagas

Fine Art Drawings - 120 x 90 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 47.2 x 35.4 x 0.4 inch

€6,571

Fine Art Drawings, Emma Bovary, Claudine Loquen

Emma Bovary

Claudine Loquen

Fine Art Drawings - 14.8 x 10.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 5.8 x 4.1 x 0 inch

€180

Fine Art Drawings, Gucumatz, Boss Arts 115

Gucumatz

Boss Arts 115

Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 inch

€1,300

Fine Art Drawings, Woman, Cesare Bentivoglio

Woman

Cesare Bentivoglio

Fine Art Drawings - 50 x 39 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 19.7 x 15.4 x 0 inch

€2,300

Fine Art Drawings, Woman, Dimitri Godycki Cwirko

Woman

Dimitri Godycki Cwirko

Fine Art Drawings - 41.5 x 26.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.3 x 10.4 x 0 inch

€990

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled drawing, Clemens Briels

Untitled drawing

Clemens Briels

Fine Art Drawings - 27.9 x 26.7 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11 x 10.5 x 0.2 inch

€1,126

Fine Art Drawings, Jeune fille, Alfred Defossez

Jeune fille

Alfred Defossez

Fine Art Drawings - 30.5 x 22.7 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12 x 8.9 x 0 inch

€250

Fine Art Drawings, Sans, Vanessa Dakinsky

Sans

Vanessa Dakinsky

Fine Art Drawings - 58 x 48 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 22.8 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch

€1,300

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre, Margaux Fontaine

Sans titre

Margaux Fontaine

Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 30 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€160

Fine Art Drawings, Varicose Wyn, Judith Mason

Varicose Wyn

Judith Mason

Fine Art Drawings - 22.9 x 19.1 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 9 x 7.5 x 0.1 inch

€1,408

Fine Art Drawings, Ayanfe Omo Oba, Wale Ajayi

Ayanfe Omo Oba

Wale Ajayi

Fine Art Drawings - 119.9 x 89.9 x 2.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 47.2 x 35.4 x 1 inch

€3,333

Fine Art Drawings, Ajoke 1, Oyewumi Oyindamola

Ajoke 1

Oyewumi Oyindamola

Fine Art Drawings - 61 x 50.8 x 2.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 24 x 20 x 1 inch

€3,286

Fine Art Drawings, Naming the stars, Gary Slipper

Naming the stars

Gary Slipper

Fine Art Drawings - 25.4 x 15.2 x 5.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10 x 6 x 2 inch

€2,253

Fine Art Drawings, Mallow, Kateryna Ocheredko

Mallow

Kateryna Ocheredko

Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 20 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 7.9 x 0 inch

€188

Fine Art Drawings, The old man, Bernard Bécan

The old man

Bernard Bécan

Fine Art Drawings - 18 x 12 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 7.1 x 4.7 x 0 inch

€360

Fine Art Drawings, Sans Titre, Meteo Meteo

Sans Titre

Meteo Meteo

Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€105

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Painting, L'esprit Déchaîné, tizlu

L'esprit Déchaîné

tizlu

Painting - 50 x 35 x 2.2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 13.8 x 0.9 inch

€1,680

Fine Art Drawings, We Need You!, tizlu

We Need You!

tizlu

Fine Art Drawings - 60 x 40 x 1.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 23.6 x 15.7 x 0.6 inch

€1,600

Print, Untiteled, JM Robert

Untiteled

JM Robert

Print - 65 x 50 x 1 cm Print - 25.6 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€800

Painting, Orlando, Galya Popova

Orlando

Galya Popova

Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

€2,400

Need help with Portrait Drawing ?
What are some tips for drawing a realistic portrait?

To draw a realistic portrait, start with a good reference photo, pay attention to proportions, use shading to create depth, and focus on capturing the subject's unique features. Practice regularly and don't be afraid to make mistakes.

How do you choose the right materials for portrait drawing?

When choosing materials for portrait drawing, consider the surface texture, color, and weight of the paper, as well as the type and quality of the pencils or charcoal. Opt for high-quality materials that allow for precision and detail, and experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your style and technique.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when drawing a portrait?

When drawing a portrait, it's important to avoid common mistakes such as not paying attention to proportions, neglecting to capture the subject's unique features, and using too much or too little shading. Additionally, it's important to take breaks and step back to assess the overall composition.