Drybrush technique for quick portraits

Drybrush technique for quick portraits: Contemporary Russian portraitist Igor Kazarin developed his drybrush technique while doing street portraits. The technique is speedier than pencil or opaque oil. A photo-real portrait is possible in a matter of an hour or two.





Kazarin typically works from photo reference, apparently projecting the outlines for the lay-in. But he has used the same methods while working from observation on the street, often under very challenging outdoor public settings.



Kazarin often covers the surface area-by-area (also called “windowshading”), going immediately for finished effect. This takes a strong sense of value organization and a lot of experience.



If the paint is thin enough, it allows scratching with a scalpel, soft-blurring with a brush, and even lifting out with an kneaded eraser. That’s how he pulls out the highlights in the hair.



Igor Kazarin

Time lapse of Britney Spears

Live portrait of a woman in Dubai

Previously on GurneyJourney: Area-by-Area Painting

Thanks, Keita