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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, Amoureux, Moustache Bleue

Amoureux

Moustache Bleue

Fine Art Drawings - 70 x 100 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 27.6 x 39.4 x 0.2 inch

€220

Fine Art Drawings, On aime la vie, Moustache Bleue

On aime la vie

Moustache Bleue

Fine Art Drawings - 100 x 70 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 39.4 x 27.6 x 0.2 inch

€220

Fine Art Drawings, Blue Vibes, Isabelle Hirtzig

Blue Vibes

Isabelle Hirtzig

Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€165

Fine Art Drawings, After, Damien Berrard

After

Damien Berrard

Fine Art Drawings - 50 x 50 x 1.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.6 inch

€400

Fine Art Drawings, La folie, Damien Berrard

La folie

Damien Berrard

Fine Art Drawings - 31 x 41 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.2 x 16.1 x 0 inch

€150

Fine Art Drawings, Conflict, Tomo Sakurai

Conflict

Tomo Sakurai

Fine Art Drawings - 60 x 60 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

€4,200

Fine Art Drawings, Face 5, Edward Shahda

Face 5

Edward Shahda

Fine Art Drawings - 54 x 37 cm Fine Art Drawings - 21.3 x 14.6 inch

€1,596

Fine Art Drawings, Face 1, Edward Shahda

Face 1

Edward Shahda

Fine Art Drawings - 54 x 37 cm Fine Art Drawings - 21.3 x 14.6 inch

€1,596

Fine Art Drawings, Portrait, Leo Guida

Portrait

Leo Guida

Fine Art Drawings - 44 x 31 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 17.3 x 12.2 x 0 inch

€460

Fine Art Drawings, Portrait 5, Davide Cicolani

Portrait 5

Davide Cicolani

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

€1,100

Fine Art Drawings, Portrait 2, Davide Cicolani

Portrait 2

Davide Cicolani

Fine Art Drawings - 70 x 50 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€1,100

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre, Bazooka Joe

Sans titre

Bazooka Joe

Fine Art Drawings - 21 x 12 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8.3 x 4.7 x 0 inch

€1,500

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre (1), Bazooka Joe

Sans titre (1)

Bazooka Joe

Fine Art Drawings - 15 x 21 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 5.9 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€1,500

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre, Bazooka Joe

Sans titre

Bazooka Joe

Fine Art Drawings - 22 x 41 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8.7 x 16.1 x 0 inch

€1,500

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

Sold

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, Sans titre (1), Bazooka Joe

Sans titre (1)

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, 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

€1,000

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, Untitled, Oswald Aulestia

Untitled

Oswald Aulestia

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

€2,200

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

€2,200

Fine Art Drawings, S.H, Rossella Mercedes

S.H

Rossella Mercedes

Fine Art Drawings - 33 x 24 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€79

Fine Art Drawings, Deadlock , Rossella Mercedes

Deadlock 

Rossella Mercedes

Fine Art Drawings - 32 x 24 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.6 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€90

Fine Art Drawings, Attitude, Rossella Mercedes

Attitude

Rossella Mercedes

Fine Art Drawings - 28.8 x 21.3 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.3 x 8.4 x 0 inch

€79

Fine Art Drawings, Talk , Rossella Mercedes

Talk 

Rossella Mercedes

Fine Art Drawings - 33 x 24 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€90

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

€999

Fine Art Drawings, Venus, Roberto Cuccaro

Venus

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

€1,300

Fine Art Drawings, Soliude, Roberto Cuccaro

Soliude

Roberto Cuccaro

Fine Art Drawings - 50.5 x 36.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 19.9 x 14.4 x 0 inch

€1,400

Fine Art Drawings, Miroir, Michaël Brack

Miroir

Michaël Brack

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

€480

Fine Art Drawings, J'aime la vie, Moustache Bleue

J'aime la vie

Moustache Bleue

Fine Art Drawings - 65 x 50 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 25.6 x 19.7 x 0.2 inch

€120

Fine Art Drawings, Rétro, Isabelle Hirtzig

Rétro

Isabelle Hirtzig

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

€135

Fine Art Drawings, Toil, Shota Imerlishvili

Toil

Shota Imerlishvili

Fine Art Drawings - 62 x 47 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 24.4 x 18.5 x 0 inch

€5,000

Fine Art Drawings, Timer, Shota Imerlishvili

Timer

Shota Imerlishvili

Fine Art Drawings - 86 x 61 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 33.9 x 24 x 0 inch

€3,000

Fine Art Drawings, Prostitute, Shota Imerlishvili

Prostitute

Shota Imerlishvili

Fine Art Drawings - 86 x 61 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 33.9 x 24 x 0 inch

€3,000

Fine Art Drawings, Feelings, Shota Imerlishvili

Feelings

Shota Imerlishvili

Fine Art Drawings - 70 x 50 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€5,000

Fine Art Drawings, Balance, Shota Imerlishvili

Balance

Shota Imerlishvili

Fine Art Drawings - 86 x 61 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 33.9 x 24 x 0 inch

€4,000

Fine Art Drawings, …Where you are, Blu_451

…Where you are

Blu_451

Fine Art Drawings - 29 x 20 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.4 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

€400

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

€1,800

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

€1,800

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

€1,800

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

€1,800

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

€1,800

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

€1,800

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

€1,800

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

€1,800

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

€1,800

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Melchor Zapata

Untitled

Melchor Zapata

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

€850

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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, 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

€1,400

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.