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.
Save your search and find it in your favorites
Save your search to find it quickly
Saved search
Your search is accessible from the favorites tab > My favorite searches
Unsaved search
A problem occurred
Davide Cicolani
Fine Art Drawings - 100 x 70 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 39.4 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch
€1,350
Evelyne Postic
Fine Art Drawings - 117 x 96 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 46.1 x 37.8 x 0 inch
€4,200
François Chapuis
Fine Art Drawings - 55 x 39 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 21.7 x 15.4 x 0.1 inch
€1,600
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
€2,200
François Chapuis
Fine Art Drawings - 50.8 x 40.8 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 20 x 16.1 x 0 inch
€2,200
Christos Kalfas
Fine Art Drawings - 79 x 59 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 31.1 x 23.2 x 0.1 inch
€1,800
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
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
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
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
Sandra Vásquez de la Horra
Fine Art Drawings - 39 x 27 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.4 x 10.6 x 0.1 inch
€5,200
Sandra Vásquez de la Horra
Fine Art Drawings - 37 x 24 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 14.6 x 9.4 x 0.1 inch
€6,500
Shota Imerlishvili
Fine Art Drawings - 86 x 61 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 33.9 x 24 x 0 inch
€3,000
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
€1,400
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
Isabelle Hirtzig
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch
€145
Alexandre Granger
Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch
€1,900
Saverio Filioli Uranio
Fine Art Drawings - 33 x 24 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13 x 9.4 x 0 inch
€80
Dani André Skogfelt
Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 59 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 23.2 x 0 inch
€1,200
Dani André Skogfelt
Fine Art Drawings - 56 x 42 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 22 x 16.5 x 0 inch
€1,200
Artemisia Fine Art
Fine Art Drawings - 54.9 x 54.9 x 5.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 21.6 x 21.6 x 2 inch
€1,040
Julieta Intergalactica
Fine Art Drawings - 21 x 14.8 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.1 inch
€355
Elena Paredes
Fine Art Drawings - 63 x 47.5 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 24.8 x 18.7 x 0.4 inch
€1,800
Fred Borghesi
Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 42 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 16.5 x 0.1 inch
€3,400
Fred Borghesi
Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 30 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
€3,500
Alexander Daniloff
Fine Art Drawings - 35 x 50 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13.8 x 19.7 x 0 inch
€130
Serge Pierre Callens
Fine Art Drawings - 36 x 51 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 14.2 x 20.1 x 0.1 inch
€425
Djess Erdeven
Fine Art Drawings - 41 x 30 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.1 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
€1,200 €840
Djess Erdeven
Fine Art Drawings - 41 x 30 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.1 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
€1,200 €840
Mansour El Habre
Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 42 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 16.5 x 0.4 inch
€1,689
Mansour El Habre
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
€1,689
Discover the styles & movements
Discover the selection of our experts
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.