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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, Red Plume, Joe Lasker

Red Plume

Joe Lasker

Fine Art Drawings - 22.9 x 17.8 x 5.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 9 x 7 x 2 inch

$1,950

Fine Art Drawings, Darwin, Christian Frederiksen

Darwin

Christian Frederiksen

Fine Art Drawings - 46 x 38 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 18.1 x 15 x 0 inch

$1,788

Fine Art Drawings, Crazy World 22.04, Arthur Hent

Crazy World 22.04

Arthur Hent

Fine Art Drawings - 60 x 40 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 23.6 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

$417

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

$2,623

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Oswald Aulestia

Untitled

Oswald Aulestia

Fine Art Drawings - 34 x 34 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13.4 x 13.4 inch

$2,623

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Oswald Aulestia

Untitled

Oswald Aulestia

Fine Art Drawings - 50.5 x 32.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 19.9 x 12.8 inch

$2,623

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled I, Felix Treadwell

Untitled I

Felix Treadwell

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

$3,950

Fine Art Drawings, Reciprocity, Agathe Wagner

Reciprocity

Agathe Wagner

Fine Art Drawings - 50 x 65 x 3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 19.7 x 25.6 x 1.2 inch

$1,133

Fine Art Drawings, Reciprocity2, Agathe Wagner

Reciprocity2

Agathe Wagner

Fine Art Drawings - 50 x 65 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 19.7 x 25.6 x 0.8 inch

$1,788

Fine Art Drawings, Conflict, Mino Maccari

Conflict

Mino Maccari

Fine Art Drawings - 21 x 29 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8.3 x 11.4 x 0.1 inch

$477

Fine Art Drawings, Strong Woman, Helen Warner

Strong Woman

Helen Warner

Fine Art Drawings - 60 x 42 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 23.6 x 16.5 x 0 inch

$2,694

Fine Art Drawings, The Gaze, Peter Hofmann

The Gaze

Peter Hofmann

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

$1,192

Fine Art Drawings, O.T. 96, Peter Hofmann

O.T. 96

Peter Hofmann

Fine Art Drawings - 72 x 52 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 28.3 x 20.5 x 0 inch

$2,682

Fine Art Drawings, Portrait décalé, Jazzu

Portrait décalé

Jazzu

Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29 x 0.01 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.4 x 0 inch

$536

Fine Art Drawings, Face cachée, Jazzu

Face cachée

Jazzu

Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29 x 0.01 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.4 x 0 inch

$536

Fine Art Drawings, Beauté du silence, Jazzu

Beauté du silence

Jazzu

Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.4 x 0 inch

$536

Fine Art Drawings, Le corbeau et le renard, Zo

Le corbeau et le renard

Zo

Fine Art Drawings - 60 x 80 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 23.6 x 31.5 x 0.1 inch

$1,860

Fine Art Drawings, Doux, Yohan Storti

Doux

Yohan Storti

Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 41 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 16.1 x 0 inch

$536

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

$107 $97

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Pepe Nebot

Untitled

Pepe Nebot

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

$1,191

Fine Art Drawings, Juliette, Frederic Weisz

Juliette

Frederic Weisz

Fine Art Drawings - 70 x 50 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

$823

Fine Art Drawings, Juliette, Frederic Weisz

Juliette

Frederic Weisz

Fine Art Drawings - 80 x 50 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 31.5 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

$823

Fine Art Drawings, Juliette, Frederic Weisz

Juliette

Frederic Weisz

Fine Art Drawings - 80 x 60 x 5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 31.5 x 23.6 x 2 inch

$823

Fine Art Drawings, Nurse and patient, Ray Smith

Nurse and patient

Ray Smith

Fine Art Drawings - 27 x 37 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10.6 x 14.6 x 0 inch

$1,192

Fine Art Drawings, Portrait, François Chapuis

Portrait

François Chapuis

Fine Art Drawings - 48 x 32.5 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 18.9 x 12.8 x 0.1 inch

$2,623

Fine Art Drawings, Embrace, Elizabeth Becker

Embrace

Elizabeth Becker

Fine Art Drawings - 50.8 x 40.6 cm Fine Art Drawings - 20 x 16 inch

$210

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

$1,311

Fine Art Drawings, Bubble face III, Nef

Bubble face III

Nef

Fine Art Drawings - 30.5 x 22.9 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12 x 9 x 0 inch

$119

Fine Art Drawings, Lévitation, Hélène Lagnieu

Lévitation

Hélène Lagnieu

Fine Art Drawings - 110 x 75 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 43.3 x 29.5 x 0 inch

$5,365

Fine Art Drawings, Origines, Karim Benchebra

Origines

Karim Benchebra

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

$2,027

Fine Art Drawings, Portraits 4, Ivan Afronskiy

Portraits 4

Ivan Afronskiy

Fine Art Drawings - 31 x 24 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.2 x 9.4 x 0.4 inch

$1,061

Fine Art Drawings, Portraits 3, Ivan Afronskiy

Portraits 3

Ivan Afronskiy

Fine Art Drawings - 31 x 24 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.2 x 9.4 x 0.4 inch

$1,061

Fine Art Drawings, Portrait 2, Ivan Afronskiy

Portrait 2

Ivan Afronskiy

Fine Art Drawings - 31 x 24 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.2 x 9.4 x 0.4 inch

$1,061

Fine Art Drawings, Portrait 1, Ivan Afronskiy

Portrait 1

Ivan Afronskiy

Fine Art Drawings - 31 x 24 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.2 x 9.4 x 0.4 inch

$1,061

Fine Art Drawings, Procès, John Reitz

Procès

John Reitz

Fine Art Drawings - 36.5 x 29 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 14.4 x 11.4 x 0.1 inch

$1,046

Fine Art Drawings, Cycle 1692, Niki Neuts

Cycle 1692

Niki Neuts

Fine Art Drawings - 65 x 50 cm Fine Art Drawings - 25.6 x 19.7 inch

$1,431

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre #3, Zahra Zeinali

Sans titre #3

Zahra Zeinali

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

$2,265

Fine Art Drawings, Feel the bass, Jay Russell

Feel the bass

Jay Russell

Fine Art Drawings - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 20 x 16 x 2 inch

$2,400

Fine Art Drawings, Stupeur, Nef

Stupeur

Nef

Fine Art Drawings - 41.9 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

$215

Fine Art Drawings, Two Figures, Roberto Cuccaro

Two Figures

Roberto Cuccaro

Fine Art Drawings - 50.5 x 36.1 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 19.9 x 14.2 x 0 inch

$1,669

Fine Art Drawings, Kind of pink, Nef

Kind of pink

Nef

Fine Art Drawings - 23 x 16 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 9.1 x 6.3 x 0 inch

$119

Fine Art Drawings, Bubble face II, Nef

Bubble face II

Nef

Fine Art Drawings - 30.5 x 22.9 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12 x 9 x 0 inch

$119

Fine Art Drawings, Bubble face I, Nef

Bubble face I

Nef

Fine Art Drawings - 30.5 x 22.9 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12 x 9 x 0 inch

$119

Fine Art Drawings, Jeune à la bille, Nef

Jeune à la bille

Nef

Fine Art Drawings - 30.5 x 22.9 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12 x 9 x 0 inch

$119

Fine Art Drawings, Passage, Claude Weisbuch

Passage

Claude Weisbuch

Fine Art Drawings - 35 x 27 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13.8 x 10.6 x 0.4 inch

$417

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Melchor Zapata

Untitled

Melchor Zapata

Fine Art Drawings - 76 x 55 cm Fine Art Drawings - 29.9 x 21.7 inch

$2,146

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Melchor Zapata

Untitled

Melchor Zapata

Fine Art Drawings - 76 x 55 cm Fine Art Drawings - 29.9 x 21.7 inch

$2,146

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Melchor Zapata

Untitled

Melchor Zapata

Fine Art Drawings - 76 x 55 cm Fine Art Drawings - 29.9 x 21.7 inch

$2,146

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Melchor Zapata

Untitled

Melchor Zapata

Fine Art Drawings - 76 x 55 cm Fine Art Drawings - 29.9 x 21.7 inch

$2,146

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Melchor Zapata

Untitled

Melchor Zapata

Fine Art Drawings - 76 x 55 cm Fine Art Drawings - 29.9 x 21.7 inch

$2,146

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Melchor Zapata

Untitled

Melchor Zapata

Fine Art Drawings - 76 x 55 cm Fine Art Drawings - 29.9 x 21.7 inch

$2,146

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Sculpture, König, Nando Kallweit

König

Nando Kallweit

Sculpture - 26 x 7 x 4 cm Sculpture - 10.2 x 2.8 x 1.6 inch

$811

Fine Art Drawings, Sun Day, tizlu

Sun Day

tizlu

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

$1,407 $1,125

Print, Untiteled, JM Robert

Untiteled

JM Robert

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

$954

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.

How to draw a portrait?
To create a portrait, start by sketching the main shapes of the face, respecting the proportions, then gradually detail the features and shadows. Use guidelines like the lines of the eyes, nose, and mouth for greater realism.
What is a drawing portrait?
A drawing portrait is an artistic representation of a person, focusing on their face and expression, created using drawing techniques such as pencil, charcoal, or ink. It captures the subject’s likeness, personality, and mood through line and shading.
What is the 4 8 8 method of drawing?
The 4 8 8 method of drawing involves dividing your subject into four main shapes, then breaking each into eight smaller parts, and refining each section in eight steps. This structured approach helps artists build accurate proportions and details progressively.
How to take a good portrait?
To create a good portrait, you need to capture the subject's expression and personality by paying attention to composition, lighting, and facial details. Choose an expressive gaze and a simple background to highlight the subject.