How to Paint The Planes of the Head

In this portrait painting tutorial, realist painter Alex Tzavaras shows you to paint the planes of the head.
In portraiture, the term "plane" refers to a change in direction on the surface of the head. As the head turns towards or away from a light source, there will be a change in tonal value from light to dark. So whenever we try to creat the 3D appearance of the head when oil painting, being able to identify the different planes of the face and head is very important. It's also essential for achieving a painterly appearance in your work, by painting each plane with bold separate brushstrokes.
Alex Tzavaras is a contemporary realist artist offering portrait painting and alla prima oil painting tutorials. Alex teaches the traditional painting techniques artists used to draw and paint from life up until the start of the 20th century.
For Alex's course on the fundamentals of oil painting visit:
/ simplifydrawingandpain...
Or connect with Alex:
/ alex_tzavaras
/ simplifydrawingandpain...
/ alextzavaras
alextzavaras.com

[@RobertF-]

When a subject is in full light without large shadows, look for highlights on the corner of planes. Thanks, I'm going to remember that one.

[@wcouch8]

I learned not to blend for shading, but rather create the values with the paint. TY

[@tkarcher940]

Brilliant. Where were you 40 years ago when I needed this?!

[@magnusandersson2495]

Seen the first type of demo several times, but the second demo pinpointed and answered struggles I've had! Super job!

[@denisebrazell1912]

I'll never look at a face again, without thinking of the planes of the face. Well done, Alex, thank you.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Denise. Glad it was helpful.

[@omarmega4093]

i love you for the low contrast portrait advices.

[@Ana-ql4bp]

this helped me a lot understand the planes of the human face and head. thank you

[@rumblef1sh]

Without a doubt one of THE best painters on youtube! Fantastic, informative stuff.

[@donaldburrow791]

A well done demonstration of concepts central to ways of seeing the head in portrait painting. Great one.

[@isaaccruz6021]

Absolutely amazing

[@RobbieAllenArtist]

I'm learning a lot from just a couple of your videos that I've watched so far. Thanks!

[@annabizaro-doo-dah]

I can't believe the best art tutor on you tube teaches just down the road to me! All your lessons are very booked up, unsurprisingly!!!

[@alexwhite5724]

Great easy simple ... love it

[@konanoobiemaster]

love your work alex thank you!

[@fbpliegorrivero8869]

This is a brilliant description of the head. Thanks Alex Tz

[@lluhu]

This tutorial is awesome.

[@simbarashewashaya633]

such a great teacher and artist. beautiful style

[@odedonn3912]

Great demo Alex. Very helpful teaching as to how to build the planes of the head and how to use values for that. Cheers from Tel Aviv

[@migalito1955]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing and producing the example.

[@markgenders5127]

What a fantastic instructive video. Thank you.

[@alkasarin1073]

You are soooo good as a teacher and you are a good human being

[@mojopiment4836]

The Big One! Superbe, Merci beaucoup....Greetings from France

[@satriani17]

This is a wonderful tutorial. Thank you.

[@virginiaburgerlago]

Alex I really love your tutorials and you helped me tremendously with a few of my challenges. I will continue following you and always looking forward to another video . Regards

[@lcarolc03]

Extremely helpful demonstrating how to deal with very few shadows. I work mostly from photos which are usually devoid of strong shadows. I’ve never known any clear way to handle it. THANK YOU SO MUCH !

[@michaelbuchanan3212]

Thank you Alex!

[@sophiayoung9585]

love this!

[@emarcos40]

Great work. Congratulations Alex.

[@gdanastasov]

Bravo and thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@_.blue._]

So thankful to have found this channel. You have such helpful and informative content; I appreciate your work!

[@subhamsikdar1715]

Great video.. great teacher.. lots of thanks

[@FBrigdon]

This is particularly well done. Awesome!

[@6drk6mrc6]

I was looking for some tips for even-lighted scenarios. Really appreciate it thank you.

[@Elaine-tk7nx]

Such a useful video, Alex. I love the way in the 2nd example especially the image emerges when initially I could not identify where the features were. I'm going to practise!

[@fool5799]

You're amazing, thanks for the lesson

[@DavidWoodArtist]

Excellent painting and explanations. Thanks.

[@vickiealexander9768]

So happy I found your channel!! So useful!

[@someones_daughter_]

I'm so happy this video exists. I always come back to it after a long time of not having time to paint

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you! I'm glad you find it helpful.

[@chitrakarsanket]

Amazing work , I just enjoyed and learned at the same time !!👌😊

[@RMB.Atelier]

This is extremely helpful! Thank you!!

[@marianabonina249]

It looks so easy

[@Noedell]

Incredible! You make it seem so easy! Very well done and thanks for the great video!

[@knivon6959]

Really very helpful, thank you so much for this tutorial, really helped me.

[@nek114]

Thank you very much for your videos!

[@jeffhreid]

Alex, wonderfully done. Excellent tutorial. Really enjoyable and informative. Cheers

[@StefanNuetzel]

Great demos and the content well delivered. I always enjoy your videos because you know your craft.

[@lotdproduction]

Awesome demo mate! Thank you! 😁

[@lluhu]

Thanks Alex, very useful.

[@robertrigel9806]

Brilliant! Thanks so much for your discussion on the planes of the face. It reminded me very much of discussions with a sculptor friend of mine. I learned a lot. Cheers, Bob

[@GeoCreepypasta]

Thank you for making this video. It was really helpful

[@hoangphuong6568]

I really love your channel. It helps a lot for self studying and today I made big progression. I rarely find any video who gives clearer instructions. Thank you so much. I would love to see your new video soon.

[@mv11000]

Wonderful vid, thank you!

[@muditpaliwal2060]

Thanks for sharing. It was very helpful.

[@PatMcDonald41]

Thank you ... excellent ...

[@michaelwhite8031]

Great work Alex

[@joseluisderivera465]

Wow! To great and useful ways of classical approach. It reminds me to pay more attention on my value and plane transitions... the middle value that connects lights and shades is crucial to render a convincent transition (avoid blending values). Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@eurasiantreesparrow7547]

Excellent demonstration! Thank you

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you! Glad you liked it.

[@artplussk_222]

Awesome demo. Thank you v much.

[@nataliesirnova6865]

Thank you so much!

[@tanyan99]

The best!

[@lisafred1362]

very helpful.. especially the second demo.

[@AllisonZadrozny]

Thanks Alex! Another great video. :)

[@dancharlesc]

Love the balance in this tutorial it's clear and easy to apply. Thank you very much!

[@user-lt3vq7gf2f]

It's very useful video, thanks for it very much.

[@berthap9756]

this has been very helpful, thank you so much

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Bertha!

[@patrickcharles7190]

I reckon they do. Great info on lighting and planes. The value changes aren't as obvious on a brightly lit subject but they do have highlights. Thanks.

[@raelis_vasquez]

I love this video. I always stress the importance of values on my channel. Keep making great content!

[@draw_with_k_art2477]

Very nicely done

[@stevebuk100]

You are a true gent, what you can do in few brush strokes I can only admire, I am going to join your Patreon after christmas

[@annabizaro-doo-dah]

Me too. I feel lousy doing after xmas though lol!

[@blackbird163]

Thank u! Lovely

[@ericaroberts3919]

Your videos are so helpful! Thank you!!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Erica! Glad you like them.

[@mikeescamilla70]

Thanks for made this kind of videos, i really apreciated. From an mexican artist, cheers

[@jayaram322]

Great 💙🎨

[@MasterTattooing]

Thank you so much! Great videos

[@evelynbrogli830]

Thank you.

[@adebanji]

fantastic info on planes, edges and values. Thanks for sharing.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Adebanji!

[@luspau]

amazing! Thanks a lot.

[@eyeshowyou]

Great demo's

[@Golliver-]

the first drawing looks very nice

[@geraldpatacsil7995]

I love the way start your painting..

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Gerald!

[@fpatrocinio]

This video is so good, i've seen it over and over :)

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Filipe! I'm very glad this was helpful.

[@diegolmm]

man, i love it. Thnks you so much :3

[@beanstaIkjack]

Gotta love the Alex. Thanks man! You're very talented and these demos are brilliant

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thanks Jack!

[@warrenc1829]

I wish my finished paintings looked a quarter as good as Alex’s block-ins! I was waiting for the lovely reflected light on the jawline in the first demo, though.

[@goldenhour5654]

Amazing work! :)

[@patdzon]

Awesome job!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thanks Patrick!

[@laragutierrez8033]

You are so generous for creating a very educational video like this, so really, THANK YOU. From the Philippines

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you!

[@olingoodanga8344]

very informative tutorial.....loved it

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you!

[@masselq.s.253]

Gracias, por compartir su conocimiento 😊

[@ruthgonzalez1991]

You are not just an artist. You are also a teacher.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Ruth!

[@koonsickgreen6272]

amazing...

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you!

[@chartreusemm1481]

excellent video.

[@KGArtDesign]

Thank you for sharing this sir! Usefull advices :)

[@tommygrip]

Excellent! Thank you so much ;)

[@ARTYCOATY]

This is fantastic! I learned a lot. Thank you for sharing. I support you. 😊🎨🌸🌸

[@cesar.arrano]

You make it look so easy 8-I

[@MarcusCFA]

Chiaroscuro is really a good way to get these planes by using line and shape to create form.

[@chrisopen3]

Another excellent video. Thanks Alex. I'm enjoying your patreon too.

[@chrisopen3]

May I suggest that at the end of each video, you show a shot of all the brushes you used in the video, with some text on the screen with details of brands, hair types and sizes. Hope you don't mind me suggesting this! C.

[@bambanx]

Thanks you

[@sudeeshkirankiran6161]

Thank you very much ....🙂🙂🙂