Step-by-step
Step 1
For this design you'll need the broad acrylic marker set in neon colours. This set contains five edding 5000 broad acrylic markers in traffic white, neon yellow, neon orange, neon pink and black. You can also use the acrylic 3D double liner in opulent turquoise. Print out the two-page template and stick the two sections together. Use our template generator to help you prepare a template from one of your own portrait photos.
Step 2
Position the template behind the canvas and place them both in front of a light source. You’ll now find it really easy to trace over the motif in pencil.
Step 3
Before you start painting, activate the marker as follows: shake the marker with the cap on until you can hear the mixing balls rattle inside, then carefully pump the nib up and down until ink appears in the tip. It's important to hold the marker at a slight angle as you pump so you don’t damage the chisel nib. Test the marker first on a piece of scrap paper.
Step 4
Randomly paint separate areas of colour on the face of your portrait using the acrylic markers in neon pink, neon orange and neon yellow. Highlight the cheek bones using light neon yellow before adding contrasts with the neon pink to create depth. Remember to create a balance between the colours, almost as if you were using them as light and shade.
Step 5
Draw the contours and facial features using the black acrylic marker. The outer lines and heavier contours are best drawn with the broad edge of the chisel nib.
Step 6
Use the fine tip of the chisel nib to draw the finer contours, such as the eyes and the nose.
Step 7
Now fill in the gaps with the neon colours you’ve just used. Keep doing this until the portrait is completely coloured in.
Step 8
The white acrylic marker can be used to add highlights to the eyes and lips using the fine tip of the chisel nib.
Step 9
As an extra step, we recommend the acrylic 3D double liner in opulent turquoise to provide a strong contrast. The acrylic paste allows you to add interesting effects and structures to the background. This gives the texture extra depth and makes the neon colours really pop.
Products and materials
Other materials
- A3 art canvas
- Template
- Soft pencil
Video
Additional images
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