- The goal of fine portraiture is to direct the viewer's attention to the face
or faces in the portrait.
-
Planning is necessary in creating the perfect portrait. Fine portraiture captures
facial expressions and mood, while clothing, accessories,and props are secondary
and shouldn't create any distractions. Careful selection of these will avoid
dating your portrait.
- Avoid busy patterns and bright colors.
- Light colors are best with light backgrounds and fair complexions.
- Darker colors look better with deep backgrounds and dark hair or complexions.
- White, ivory, khaki, or pastels look good with white backgrounds
.
- Teens and Adults should wear sleeves to cover elbows
.
- With two subjects in a portrait, dress in the same color(s) to capture relationship.
- A light suit commands attention and can add weight against a dark background.
- In business attire, a pure white shirt or blouse with a dark suit jacket will
emphasize your neck rather than your face. Pastel, thin striped, or soft patterned
shirt with subtle tie is preferable.
- Outdoor locations are very busy, choose only one or two theme colors. Blues
are excellent all year, white, ivory, khaki and salmon are great against lush
green foliage. Burgundy, brown, tan, and gray are nice late in the season. Avoid
all greens, they clash with Mother Nature.
- Clothing in medium shades complement portraits made in outdoor environments
.
- Family group clothing coordination is critical. Choose clothing in the same
tonal ranges so that no single member of the family stands out because clothing
is too light or bright compared to the rest of the group. Strive to make each
individual hold a place of equal importance, not a group of seemingly unrelated
individuals.
- Clothing that blends harmoniously creates timeless portraiture because the
viewer's eye goes directly to the faces.
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