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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, Mickaël, Erdna André

Mickaël

Erdna André

Fine Art Drawings - 100 x 80 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 39.4 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

€500

Fine Art Drawings, Le penseur, Erdna André

Le penseur

Erdna André

Fine Art Drawings - 100 x 80 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 39.4 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

€500

Fine Art Drawings, Autoportrait, Sounya Whang

Autoportrait

Sounya Whang

Fine Art Drawings - 24 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 9.4 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€160

Fine Art Drawings, Léa & Josh, Camille Schaeffer

Léa & Josh

Camille Schaeffer

Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 22 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 8.7 x 0.8 inch

€250

Fine Art Drawings, Odette, Camille Schaeffer

Odette

Camille Schaeffer

Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 22 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 8.7 x 0.8 inch

€250

Fine Art Drawings, Footprints, Jessica Houston

Footprints

Jessica Houston

Fine Art Drawings - 25.4 x 35.6 x 2.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10 x 14 x 1 inch

€1,400

Fine Art Drawings, Homme timide, Sounya Whang

Homme timide

Sounya Whang

Fine Art Drawings - 19.5 x 13 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 7.7 x 5.1 x 0 inch

€90

Fine Art Drawings, Sexophoniste, Sounya Whang

Sexophoniste

Sounya Whang

Fine Art Drawings - 21 x 19 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8.3 x 7.5 x 0 inch

€100

Fine Art Drawings, La diva aux fleurs, Volt

La diva aux fleurs

Volt

Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 21 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch

€140

Fine Art Drawings, Portrait Paysan, Sounya Whang

Portrait Paysan

Sounya Whang

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

€110

Fine Art Drawings, Nature Paysanne, Sounya Whang

Nature Paysanne

Sounya Whang

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

€110

Fine Art Drawings, Frère et sœur, Sounya Whang

Frère et sœur

Sounya Whang

Fine Art Drawings - 19.5 x 29.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 7.7 x 11.6 x 0 inch

€160

Fine Art Drawings, Chemin, Sounya Whang

Chemin

Sounya Whang

Fine Art Drawings - 29 x 19.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.4 x 7.7 x 0 inch

€100

Fine Art Drawings, Saxophoniste, Sounya Whang

Saxophoniste

Sounya Whang

Fine Art Drawings - 29.5 x 21 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.6 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€150

Fine Art Drawings, Musiciens, Sounya Whang

Musiciens

Sounya Whang

Fine Art Drawings - 29.5 x 21 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.6 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€125

Fine Art Drawings, Femme indienne, Sounya Whang

Femme indienne

Sounya Whang

Fine Art Drawings - 31 x 24 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.2 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€155

Fine Art Drawings, Golden baby, Sounya Whang

Golden baby

Sounya Whang

Fine Art Drawings - 31 x 24 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.2 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€125

Fine Art Drawings, TH25_001, Thiroff

TH25_001

Thiroff

Fine Art Drawings - 32 x 24 x 0.01 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.6 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€800

Fine Art Drawings, Pastel 5, Ivan Peev

Pastel 5

Ivan Peev

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

€120

Fine Art Drawings, Rose, Monica

Rose

Monica

Fine Art Drawings - 32 x 24 x 0.01 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.6 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€350

Fine Art Drawings, Mimi, Monica

Mimi

Monica

Fine Art Drawings - 32 x 24 x 0.01 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.6 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€350

Fine Art Drawings, Semeuse, Marie Labat

Semeuse

Marie Labat

Fine Art Drawings - 160 x 100 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 63 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch

€1,100

Fine Art Drawings, Cathy, Camille Schaeffer

Cathy

Camille Schaeffer

Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 22 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 8.7 x 0.8 inch

€250

Fine Art Drawings, Duo, Camille Schaeffer

Duo

Camille Schaeffer

Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 22 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 8.7 x 0.8 inch

€250

Fine Art Drawings, Manu, Clara NineL

Manu

Clara NineL

Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 50 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€340

Fine Art Drawings, Sunbeam sport, Sandra Paris

Sunbeam sport

Sandra Paris

Fine Art Drawings - 28.5 x 21 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.2 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch

€179

Fine Art Drawings, Papa et Bébé, Sounya Whang

Papa et Bébé

Sounya Whang

Fine Art Drawings - 31 x 24 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.2 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€125

Fine Art Drawings, Mina Lines, Ivan Peev

Mina Lines

Ivan Peev

Fine Art Drawings - 50 x 32 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 19.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€118

Fine Art Drawings, World in Pink, Tina Loiodice

World in Pink

Tina Loiodice

Fine Art Drawings - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€350

Fine Art Drawings, Miss Flower, Tina Loiodice

Miss Flower

Tina Loiodice

Fine Art Drawings - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€350

Fine Art Drawings, Miss, Tina Loiodice

Miss

Tina Loiodice

Fine Art Drawings - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€350

Fine Art Drawings, Hot Dog, Tina Loiodice

Hot Dog

Tina Loiodice

Fine Art Drawings - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€350

Fine Art Drawings, Green Eyes, Tina Loiodice

Green Eyes

Tina Loiodice

Fine Art Drawings - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€350

Fine Art Drawings, George, Camille Schaeffer

George

Camille Schaeffer

Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 22 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 8.7 x 0.8 inch

€250

Fine Art Drawings, Paul, Camille Schaeffer

Paul

Camille Schaeffer

Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 22 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 8.7 x 0.8 inch

€250

Fine Art Drawings, Auswirkung, Nina Lanner

Auswirkung

Nina Lanner

Fine Art Drawings - 15 x 10 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 5.9 x 3.9 x 0.1 inch

€395

Fine Art Drawings, Weitsicht, Nina Lanner

Weitsicht

Nina Lanner

Fine Art Drawings - 15 x 10 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 5.9 x 3.9 x 0.1 inch

€395

Fine Art Drawings, Les joueurs, Valérie Abadie

Les joueurs

Valérie Abadie

Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€1,400

Fine Art Drawings, Mother Frida, Noir Artist

Mother Frida

Noir Artist

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

€2,200

Fine Art Drawings, Head of a child, Badriot

Head of a child

Badriot

Fine Art Drawings - 29 x 21 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.4 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch

€500

Fine Art Drawings, Jude, Orphné Achéron

Jude

Orphné Achéron

Fine Art Drawings - 40.3 x 29.7 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.9 x 11.7 inch

€950

Fine Art Drawings, Travis NYC Lines, Ivan Peev

Travis NYC Lines

Ivan Peev

Fine Art Drawings - 50 x 32 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 19.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€120

Fine Art Drawings, Two lovers, Badriot

Two lovers

Badriot

Fine Art Drawings - 26 x 21 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10.2 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch

€1,500

Fine Art Drawings, Silly Marilyn, Noir Artist

Silly Marilyn

Noir Artist

Fine Art Drawings - 50 x 47 cm Fine Art Drawings - 19.7 x 18.5 inch

€1,750

Fine Art Drawings, Dali, Noir Artist

Dali

Noir Artist

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

€2,500

21/33

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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.