Fundamentals To Mastering Stylized Portrait Painting Class Work May 2026

1. Text Polishing & Formatting

Exercise:

Try painting the same character three times, once using only rounded shapes and once using sharp angles. Notice how the "vibe" changes entirely. 5. Brushwork and Texture

• Childlike/Innocent: 1:1 ratio (Eyes at the 1/2 mark). Large eyes, small nose, low brow.
• Heroic/Adult: 1:1.618 ratio (Eyes at the 1/3 mark). Strong jaw, defined cheekbones.
• Grotesque/Dynamic: 1:2 ratio (Eyes high up). Elongated necks or massive craniums.

• Value studies in 3 tones — 1 hr
• Single-light dramatic study (chiaroscuro) — 2 hrs
• Homework: 3 tonal portraits

To master stylized portrait painting, you must first understand the rules of realism so you can break them with intention Childlike/Innocent: 1:1 ratio (Eyes at the 1/2 mark)

2. Value & Lighting