Amandine

Original painting by Michele Petrelli ©
210x297mm

When working on a portrait, I always start with a strong, well-constructed drawing.
In my online painting lessons, I guide you through laying down this essential foundation—especially important since the color is applied in thin, transparent layers.
This approach prevents the face from becoming overworked with unnecessary early detail.

That said, I do define the eyes and mouth early in the process.
These areas benefit from more structure and help elevate the realism, as I show you step by step in my online painting course.
For the nose, where light is most intense, I use just a few subtle strokes in the shadow areas—this keeps the painting fresh and avoids overcomplication.

🎨 Want to follow the full process?
Join me and watch the complete creative journey unfold, from first sketch to final brushstroke.