Portraiture definition full#

Composition, pose and sizeДЇor starters, portraits can show the full figure of the person, or just the head, or any combination in between. These are just a few examples of choices that artists make when composing a portrait. What do the details in this artwork tell me about this person's life?ДЇacial expression - Does the sitter look happy, sad, contemplative, sarcastic? Lively or tired? Peaceful or angry? Friendly or menacing?Д®ach of these choices will effect the way that the portrait is perceived by the viewer. When looking at a portrait painting, ask yourself: Portrait paintings can reveal the sitter's place in society, their hobbies or occupation, or aspects of their personality or beliefs. The artist will carefully craft visual clues to tell the story of the person in the artwork. In this way a portrait painting or drawing can function as a biography - telling the story of that person's life. Such a portrait painting causes the viewer to wonder about the person depicted. Sometimes the person in the portrait can become iconic, representing a wider group of people from a specific period in time, who share something in common.ДЄ strong portrait captivates viewers, draws them into the painting, and engages their attention.

What the portrait reveals may not be completely obvious - sometimes it can be cleverly implied through a certain expression or pose, an included object, or the artist's use of color.

A good portrait is not just a visual representation of a person it will also reveal something about the essence of the person. Portraits are effective and compelling when they tell us something about the person.

Portraiture definition